Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Radicalism
RADICALISM, n. The conservatism of to-morrow injected into the affairs of to-day.
The first recorded usage of the suffix ism as a separate word in its own right was in 1680. By the nineteenth century it was being used by Thomas Carlyle to signify a pre-packaged ideology.
In chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration.
Radicalism: The ideology that open shell configurations are desirable?
RADICALISMn. moving to paradise and getting a job which requires rolling from bed at 5:30 a.m., wearing shoes all day and competing with 4 year-olds for floor space and peaches! Is it June yet?
Radicalism: A situation or condition when neurons in someone's brain reacted so violently to a political doctrine that they exploded and the person dropped dead. Similar to aneurysm.
oooh, rad... especially since I'M first!
ReplyDeleteradicalism,n. when logic takes a vacation and returns to find that it is hard to eat from a table with two legs
ReplyDeleteRudeness shallowly rooted in politics.
ReplyDeleteRadical: the systemic buck starts there...
ReplyDeleteThe first recorded usage of the suffix ism as a separate word in its own right was in 1680. By the nineteenth century it was being used by Thomas Carlyle to signify a pre-packaged ideology.
ReplyDeleteIn chemistry, radicals (often referred to as free radicals) are atomic or molecular species with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open shell configuration.
Radicalism: The ideology that open shell configurations are desirable?
Your mama wears combat boots...or at least your ideology.
ReplyDeleteSuch reasoned and witty responses ahead of me and I'm only #6.
RADICALISM n. moving to paradise and getting a job which requires rolling from bed at 5:30 a.m., wearing shoes all day and competing with 4 year-olds for floor space and peaches! Is it June yet?
ReplyDeleteIs an igneous id any relation to a vermicious knid?
ReplyDeleteIn Latin, radix means "root", from which we get radish. Hence, RADICALISM, n.:
1. An obsessive form of vegetarianism, fixated on radishes, carrots, parsnips, etc.
2. An obsession with getting to the root of a problem, commonly with a torch.
3. An obsession with copulation (from the use of the verb "to root" in the vernacular of the Queen's English).
Thanks to definition 3, I cannot, will not, sing Take Me Out To The Ball Game. Ever again. Go ahead. Call me a radical.
I must say that Bierce's definition is quite brilliant... very, very insightful.
ReplyDeleteOf course, yours wasn't bad either.
radicalism: women who don't shave their armpits or legs, and men who ask for directions.
Radicalism: Exhibited by teenagers and crazy people.
ReplyDeleteRadicalism: Thinking different than me.
ReplyDeleteRad is when the wind's at your back. Radical is when you blow back.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Minka. Or when you light a torch run frantically about the village looking for marshmallows.
Hobbes, I agree. Once upon a time, I took my code from Matthew 25. Now it's "try not to be a moron."
Neigh, Neva.
Morgan, you've been doing IT for the BBC, haven't you?
g, you're right. Radicalism is a yo' mama joke gone to college.
Quilly, when it is you'll be five.
Amoeba, I asked myself the same question. I'll try to find out in the elevator. I love definition #2.
Jamie Dawn, you're right. If you want to repress the radicals, a mapbook and deodorant goes a long way.
Sar, that's something I'd as soon not see.
Then what's madness, Nessa?
Actonbell, nice.
sar wins.
ReplyDeleteigneous id? Love that piece.
Radicalism: Rhymes with rascalism and slightly related.
ReplyDeleteRascalism: Most recently associated with Tom Delay and the similar ilkes.
..
Radicalism: A situation or condition when neurons in someone's brain reacted so violently to a political doctrine that they exploded and the person dropped dead. Similar to aneurysm.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cooper. Sounds smart, don't it?
ReplyDeleteJim, Radicalism, rascalism and vascular schism.
A Secret Agent's breakfast, eh?