Welcome to the world’s most prestigious institution of higher learning and tactical sesquipedalian studies, also known as the Online School of Big Words for Grunts and Other Knuckledraggers (or OSBWGOK, if you prefer the very handy acronym). Ya see, Breach-Bang-Clear doesn’t just allow the use of five-dollar words. We encourage it.
Here, we know words there’s probably no reason to know. Here, we pursue lexiphanic excellence, longiloquence, and pleionosis. Here, we not only eschew Mark Twain’s advice, but we actively work counter to it. Fact is, if there were fifty-dollar words, we’d use those!
Grunts: Lexiphanic. lex·i·phan·ic | \ ¦leksə¦fanik \
Lexiphanic is the trait of somebody who uses bombastic or pretentious language. It apparently comes from the title of a dialogue that was composed by the Greek writer Lucian of Samosata (first century AD). See also redondite, bombastic, pretentious, and sesquipedalian (all excellent words in their own right!)
Pleionosis is the habit of exaggerating one’s own importance.
Longiloquence is the action or habit of speaking at great or excessive length, usually unnecessarily.
Words mean things! It’s very important to understand them. Crucial even. All you have to do is look at some of the images in this article to understand why this is so!
Now. If you are reading this article (which was first published at 15h64 Zulu Time) on April 23rd1 of any year, take a moment to wish William Shakespeare a happy birthday!
On to the Sciolism!
“Don’t use a five dollar word when a fifty cent one will do. ”
~ Mark Twain
(Sorry, Mark. No can do.)
Five Dollar Words: Lexiphanic Sciolism
Approbation
ap·pro·ba·tion /ˌaprəˈbāSHən/
Approbation is approval or praise, from the late Middle English: via Old French from Latin approbatio(n- ), from the verb approbare.
Used in a sentence: “The dancing mom’s moves were extraordinary; her improbable moves on the stripper pole met with immediate, loud approbation from everyone on pervert row.”
Burgeoning
bur·geon·ing /ˈbərj(ə)niNG/
Burgeoning indicates something that is growing, expanding, or developing rapidly, often a relatively new something.
A burgeoning industry, city, or small business.
Cavil
cav·il /ˈkav(ə)l/ verb or noun
To make petty or unnecessary objections; an objection seen as petty or unnecessary.
Used in a sentence: The caviled at the price of the lap dance despite the extraordinary talent that wonderfully thicc smokeshow brought to the pole and stage.
Cilice
[sil-is]/ ˈsɪl ɪs /
A garment of haircloth formerly worn by monks; a hair shirt.
Cognoscenti
co·gno·scen·ti /ˌkänyəˈSHentē,ˌkäɡnəˈSHentē/
The cognoscenti are big brain types. People who have superior knowledge, are especially well informed (about a particular subject), or have a particularly in depth understanding of a specific something-or-the-other. This is an important word to master if you want to grasp the nuances of, say, mystery ranch backpacks.
Dichotomous
/dīˈkädəməs/
Divided (or dividing) into two sharply contrasting, distinct, possibly contradictory parts. Technically defined as mutually exclusive, though colloquial use does not always reflect this. For instance, from a tactical perspective: direct or kinetic action vs. low-visibility operations. You can’t toss bangs or frags, breach doors, and stack bodies subtly…
Gamahuche
/ˈɡæməhuːʃ/
From the late 18th century, to perform oral sex, especially cunnilingus. Sources vary on whether this is a verb or a noun, but who cares, we’ve already spent more time on this than we should have.
Histrionic
You’ll want to know this when you read our SIG P320 review.
Incalescent
\ in-kə-ˈle-sᵊnt \
Being in a state of incalescence. Increasing in heat or ardor.
Limitrophe
Lascivious
las·civ·i·ous /ləˈsivēəs/
(of a person, manner, or gesture) feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire. See also libidinous, licentious, lewd, and lustful. Both our callipygian and bathykolpian articles are arguably lascivious (or perhaps salacious).
Marplot
mar·plot | \ˈmär-ˌplät \
One who frustrates or ruins a plan or undertaking by meddling.
Miscegenation
mis·ce·ge·na·tion | /məˌsejəˈnāSHən,ˌmisəjəˈnāSHən/
(Noun, derogatory) Sexual relationships or reproduction between people of different ethnic groups, especially when one of them is white.
Multiloquent
This is pretty much a required word (and quality) to have if you’re going to read stuff by Aaron Cowan.
Noctivigant
noc·tiv·a·gant | \ (ˈ)näk¦tivə̇gənt \
Going about in the night: night-wandering. See also, nocturnal.
Predilection
pre·di·lec·tion | /ˌpredlˈekSH(ə)n,ˌprēdlˈekSH(ə)n/
(Noun) A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something. i.e., My predilection for MRE #2 Maple Sausage with Old Crow to wash it down.
Prodigious
(Adjective) Impressively or remarkably noteworthy or great in extent, size, or degree. Used in a sentence, The curvy redhead had a prodigious bosom.
Proselytize
You may be forgiven if you believe that’s what we’re doing when talking about the SIG P320. We’re not.
Salacious
sa·la·cious|/səˈlāSHəs/
(Adjective) Salacious indicates or conveys an inappropriate, undue, or unseemly interest in sexual matters.
Sciolism
sci·o·lism|\ˈsī-ə-ˌli-zəm \
A superficial show of scholarship, pretentious in attitude.
Sciuridae
Sci·uri·dae| \ -rəˌdē \
The family name for sciuromorph rodents: like squirrels. It is important to know this word if you’re going to watch a squirrel video or wear a Secret Squirrel shirt.
SPDSVBEEV
An acronym once used as a greeting in ancient Roman letters. The abbreviation stands for Salutem Pluriam Dicit Si Valesm Bene Est, Ego Valeo. It means “He (or She) sends many greetings; if you are well, that is good; I am well.” It was a pretty conventional, if formulaic, way to begin a letter. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because Swingin’ Dick (who fancies himself a Latinitist like Gus McRae) is showing his Latinitaster ass again.
Trionym
It’s our chosen method of talking about good tactical pen options.
Whereof
If you know this word, you’ll know whereof Kim speaks in her Trijicon Accupoint review.
1 See what we did there?
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