06 April 2013
03 April 2013
Spartan
Origin-was unique among the Greek city-states because of the rigid program of military indoctrination it instilled in its citizens.
Definition-rigorously self-disciplined or self-trained
Definition-rigorously self-disciplined or self-trained
El dorado
Spanish for "the gilded one" is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dove into the Guatavita Lake. Later, it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold", that fascinated explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors.
02 April 2013
Casanova
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Chauvinist
One who exhibits fanatical patriotism
Named after Nicolas Chauvin, a legendary French soldier famous for his devotion to Napoleon.
Named after Nicolas Chauvin, a legendary French soldier famous for his devotion to Napoleon.
Bloomer
Origin: invented by Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818-94), and American social reformer
Definition: undergarments for dance or active wear; underwear formally worn by females that was composed of loose trousers gathered at the ankles
Definition: undergarments for dance or active wear; underwear formally worn by females that was composed of loose trousers gathered at the ankles
Boycott
Definition: an act of voluntarily abstaining from someone or something
Origin: there was an Irish land war and Captain Charles Boycott was an absentee landlord. Prices and things dropped dramatically and his tenants wanted lower rates because they weren't making as much money on their crops. The tenants ended up boycotting Mr. Boycott
Origin: there was an Irish land war and Captain Charles Boycott was an absentee landlord. Prices and things dropped dramatically and his tenants wanted lower rates because they weren't making as much money on their crops. The tenants ended up boycotting Mr. Boycott
Horatio Alger
Origin: Horatio Alger is the author of a series of rags-to-riches stories. The main characters work hard and earn the American Dream in his stories, despite the many challenges they face.
Definition: A person who achieves success by his own effort in the face of great obstacles.
Definition: A person who achieves success by his own effort in the face of great obstacles.
Sardonic
O: Sardinian plant that makes you laugh until you die if eaten
D: skeptically humorous, cynically mocking, smile
D: skeptically humorous, cynically mocking, smile
Swiftian
Origin: Jonathan swift's famous satire on politics in Gulliver's travels
Definition: satirical
Definition: satirical
Machiavelli
Origin: Niccolo Machiavelli was a Renaissance political philosopher whose book The Princeadvised rulers to be ruthless and cunning if they wanted to hold onto their power
Meaning: a willingness to engage in trickery in order to achieve political power
Meaning: a willingness to engage in trickery in order to achieve political power
Nostradamus
Origin: French physician and astrologer who wrote a book of rhymed prophecies
Definition: Fortune teller
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