Politics and the English Language

Politics and the English Language Glossary

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archaism

Something outdated or very old. An archaic term or use of language.

egregious

Shockingly bad.

hackneyed

Something that has been overused; Clichéd or unoriginal.

cudgel

A short thick stick used as a weapon. As a verb: to beat.

roughshod

Having shoes with nail heads (in the case of a horse) to prevent slipping.

toe the line

To accept authority, conform to a standard. To stand in line with. The origin: standing with toes exactly touching a line.

anvil

A heavy steel or iron block on which metal gets hammered into shape.

militate

Taking up military action. To act forcefully.

trident

A three-pronged spear; the tool of Poseidon; also a US designed submarine-launched ballistic missile.

buckler

An archaic, small round handheld shield, typically worn on the forearm.

jackboot

A long military boot made of leather, rising to the knee.

clarion

A war trumpet that emits a shrill noise.

ameliorate

To make something better; to soothe.

deracinated

uprooted

sub-aqueous

Under water. As an adjective: weak, lacking in strength, as in the light that filters through water.

impermissible

to be prohibited; something not to be allowed

extramarital

outside of marriage; usually, specifically referring to sexual relations.

bestial

animalistic behavior; savage.

rectification

the process of making upright; correcting.

pretentiousness

The attempt to impress by acting important. False or fake behaviour.