Thursday, May 06, 2010

Peroration

PERORATION, n. The explosion of an oratorical rocket. It dazzles, but to an observer having the wrong kind of nose its most conspicuous peculiarity is the smell of the several kinds of powder used in preparing it.

2010 Update: A robust, inspiring presentation in which an orator finds opportunity to use words without sentences and phrases separate from sense. The silence of the lexicographer.

15 comments:

pia said...

Where do you find these words? right Bierce
Love the last sentence of your definition and so shall remain silent

the amoeba said...

Bierce neglected to mention that the peroration typically came at the end of a speech. Thus, by the time the smoke had cleared, and the audience members had recovered from the blindness induced by the burst, the speaker had made good his escape. Therefore:

PERORATION, n. Rhetorical getaway car.

the amoeba said...

A cat, of course, can deliver a peroration to perfection.

mismoo: well but of course, Bossie.

Anonymous said...

watching fox network(in good faith could not use the word,news)again.

peace

Anonymous said...

PERORATION, n politicians seem to have this down to perfection

Logophile said...

Are we discussing Sarah Palin AGAIN??

http://www.slate.com/id/2201158

Jim said...

.
It seems my Peroration has a hole.
So it thinks it is a Perforation.
..

k. riggs gardner said...

2010 Update: akin to imbroglio.

1. a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.

2. an intricate and perplexing state of affairs; a complicated or difficult situation.

3. a confused heap

k. riggs gardner said...

PROOF-READER, n. A malefactor who atones for making your writing nonsense by permitting the compositor to make it unintelligible.

sauerkraut said...

new definition.

v. the unexplosion of propane tanks prepped with M-80 semi-rockets and left in the back of a disposable vehicle parked in Times Square.

Cooper said...

oratory fairy dust

k. riggs gardner said...

DISCURSIVE, adj. Following a circular flow.

tsduff said...

"Something someone tries to say after imbibing too much alcohol"...

Doug The Una said...

Pia, blessed are the meek.

Amoeba, that's a good definition.

Bear, I skip that particular form of self-abuse.

Sure do, Thom.

Logo, even when we talk about carpet lint or boxing day traditions from Africa.

Jim, pore thing.

Karen, that was good free-lancing.

Why not, Actonbell? The unemployment rate for words has been frighteningly high.

Karen, that's an excellent definition.

Sauerkraut, I never have seen one of those. I still doubt the explosion would have been all that impressive but, heck, something new to yip about.

Of the type you vote for, Cooper, yep.

That one looks familiar, Karen.

Terry, I'm sure I don't know what you mean.

Hobbes said...

Too much of a meal for a soundbyte.