Video Notes: Language Change, Voice, and The Planets (Holst) — Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-focused flashcards drawn from the lecture notes, covering language change, euphemism, rhetoric, and related cultural references (Holst, Zeus/Jupiter, Disney Renaissance).

Shell Shock

WWI-era term for an acute combat-induced nervous breakdown; now understood as a severe stress reaction to trauma.

Battle Fatigue

WWII-era term for combat-related exhaustion, a softer label than shell shock and part of a shift toward euphemistic language.

Operational Exhaustion

1950 Korean War-era term for combat stress; another euphemistic label reflecting the trend to milder terminology.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A psychological disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event, with symptoms such as intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and avoidance.

Jargon

Specialized or obscure language used by a particular group that may be difficult for outsiders to understand.

Plain Language

Clear, straightforward language intended to be easily understood and accessible, the opposite of jargon.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect expression used in place of a harsher or more direct term to soften impact.

Soft Language

Language that dulls impact by using less direct or more neutral terms, often through euphemisms.

Bathroom Tissue

Euphemistic term replacing toilet paper; an example of softened everyday terminology.

Running Shoes

Modern, neutral term that can replace 'sneakers' in some contexts, illustrating terminology shift.

Dental Appliances

Clinical term for false teeth; an example of medical terminology becoming more formal.

Landfill

Neutral term replacing 'dump' for waste disposal; an example of vocabulary shift toward less harsh language.

Guest Room Dining

Polished label replacing 'room service' to present dining as a domestic experience.

Occasional Irregularity

Euphemistic phrase for constipation; an example of softened medical language.

Extra Credit

Optional assignments offered to improve a grade; may not affect final grade unless completed.

Voice

A creator’s distinctive personality or style expressed in writing, speaking, or performance.

Narrative Style

A storytelling approach that presents events in a sequence, often with imagery and emotion.

Thesis

A central claim or argument that a speaker or writer sets out to prove.

The Planets: Jupiter

Gustav Holst’s orchestral movement Jupiter; associated with grandeur and majesty, mirroring the god’s qualities.

Zeus (Jupiter)

Zeus is the Greek king of the gods; Jupiter is the Roman equivalent.

Disney Renaissance

The late 1980s to mid-1990s period when Disney released a string of highly successful animated films, revitalizing the brand.

Directory Assistance

A term replacing 'information' in the context of phone-number lookups; reflects a shift toward more technical terminology.

Semantic Drift

The gradual change in word meanings or usage over time, illustrated by shifts from terms like 'shell shock' to PTSD.