This noun is a good name for a stupid person, a dolt. It derives from Duns Scotus, a 13th century Scottish monk, whose writings became the subject of ridicule long after his death.

A person who opposes technology has come to be called by this interesting noun. It derives from one Ned Ludd, an English workman who, around 1779, destroyed machinery for weaving when it threatened his livelihood.

This adjective is most often used in the phrase "a pyrrhic victory," meaning a technical win achieved at a high cost. The word derives from an ancient Greek named Pyrrhus who defeated the Romans in 280 B.C. but lost nearly all his own troops in the proces

This unusual-sounding noun refers to humorous transpositions of sounds such as saying " blushing crows" when you meant to say "crushing blows" or "queer dean" when you meant "dear queen." We owe the term "spoonerism" to Rev. William Spooner, and Englosh c

This adjective describes treatment that is seen as exceedingly harsh or severe. The severe legal code of Draco, a seventh-century B.C. Athenian politician, is here memorialized; no dragons are involved.

This noun fits a person who dissents from group opinion and goes his or her own way. It derives from one Samuel Maverick (1803-70), an American cattleman who chose not to brand his cattle.

This adjective, meaning overly idealistic, derives directly from the fictional Spanish hero Don Quixote, who displays that trait.

This verb, now meaning "to enthrall, to capture someone's attention," originated in a literal form of hypnotism, Franz Masmar (1743-1816), an Austrian doctor who believed he possessed magnetic curative powers, won many followers who became literally hypno

This verb originally had the literal meaning of shocking someone with an electric current. Today, it carries only the figurative meaning of spurring someone into thought or action, The existence of the word bears permanent tribute to Luigi Galvani, an eig

This adjective describes something literally cheap or gaudy in appearance of something more figurative shameful. It enshrines St. Audrey, a seventh-century English saint whose name was given to a fair that sold decorative items such as lace. Alas for St.

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Chapter 75

Words Derived from Names

Term	Definition
Dunce	This noun is a good name for a stupid person, a dolt. It derives from Duns Scotus, a 13th century Scottish monk, whose writings became the subject of ridicule long after his death.
Luddite	A person who opposes technology has come to be called by this interesting noun. It derives from one Ned Ludd, an English workman who, around 1779, destroyed machinery for weaving when it threatened his livelihood.
Pyrrhic	This adjective is most often used in the phrase "a pyrrhic victory," meaning a technical win achieved at a high cost. The word derives from an ancient Greek named Pyrrhus who defeated the Romans in 280 B.C. but lost nearly all his own troops in the proces
Spoonerism	This unusual-sounding noun refers to humorous transpositions of sounds such as saying " blushing crows" when you meant to say "crushing blows" or "queer dean" when you meant "dear queen." We owe the term "spoonerism" to Rev. William Spooner, and Englosh c
Draconian	This adjective describes treatment that is seen as exceedingly harsh or severe. The severe legal code of Draco, a seventh-century B.C. Athenian politician, is here memorialized; no dragons are involved.
Maverick	This noun fits a person who dissents from group opinion and goes his or her own way. It derives from one Samuel Maverick (1803-70), an American cattleman who chose not to brand his cattle.
Quixotic	This adjective, meaning overly idealistic, derives directly from the fictional Spanish hero Don Quixote, who displays that trait.
Mesmerize	This verb, now meaning "to enthrall, to capture someone's attention," originated in a literal form of hypnotism, Franz Masmar (1743-1816), an Austrian doctor who believed he possessed magnetic curative powers, won many followers who became literally hypno
Galvanize	This verb originally had the literal meaning of shocking someone with an electric current. Today, it carries only the figurative meaning of spurring someone into thought or action, The existence of the word bears permanent tribute to Luigi Galvani, an eig
Tawdry	This adjective describes something literally cheap or gaudy in appearance of something more figurative shameful. It enshrines St. Audrey, a seventh-century English saint whose name was given to a fair that sold decorative items such as lace. Alas for St.

Created by: brianapotter

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