How to Insult Your Enemies

How to Insult Your Enemiessome useful but not-so-common words These words are disapproving so use them CAREFULLY

martinetstrictdemands conformity to rules

however arbitrary and tyrannical ask for unquestioning obedienceslave driverexamples:1. The secretary calls his boss a martinet

because he asks for extreme strict conformity to his rules.

2. The worker refers to the foreman as a martinet.

Jean Martinet, the Inspector General of Infantry during the reign of King Louis XIV

strict drill master imposed a system of drill,

discipline, and maneuvers from this time the French Army’s

reputation for discipline dated unpopular in his troops

Originally a person who leads others in military drill

Latera military officer who is concerned with strict discipline, and a rigid inflexible, merciless disciplinarian

Now◦used in a derogatory (disapproving)

sense◦shows resentment of the user

sycophanttoady to rich and influential peopleout-yes the Hollywood yes manhypocriteservile attentions, unceasing

adulationbootlickerexample:

He is such a sycophant that he always cultivate friends that can do him good --financially.

apple-shiner Greek name “fig-shower”sykon (fig) +phanein (to show) σῦκοφάντης (sycophant)

※phanein dia (through) + phanein diaphanous (transparent)

a lad that inform the officers when1. the figs (無花果 ) in the sacred

groves are being taken, or2. fig-dealers are dodging the tariff

A sycophant… 1. a sort of “stool pigeon” (抓耙子 )2. ingratiate themselves with (flatter)

influential citizens of the community

dilettantesuperficially pursuit fine artspaints, writes, composes, plays

an instrument,not to achieve professional

competence, nor to make moneyfor personal amusementdabbler example:

He is a bit of a dilettante as far as wine is concerned.

Italian borrowing“a lover of music or painting”

Latin origindilettare (to delight)

dilettantish (adj.)superficial, unprofessional

Review Time__________

a toady to people of wealth or power

__________a strict disciplinarian

__________a dabbler in art

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Thank You

ReferenceeNotes:

http://www.enotes.com/jean-martinet-reference/jean-martinet

OED: http://oed.com http://gtotd.blogspot.tw/2009_06_01_archive.html http://www.billcasselman.com/unpub3/fig.htmLewis, Norman. Word Power Made

Easy. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1979