Saved By A Deus Ex Machina
The Word Collector — part 28
They say that ignorance is bliss, and on that basis, I should be ecstatic. When you know as little as myself there is an endless source of new words to collect on expeditions into the literary jungle, and below is the result of my latest foray.
To add the pretence of a modicum of scientific rigour to this pursuit of specimens, I am going to start recording the source of each word. I am currently re-reading the first in Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” trilogy, which I must have first read in my teens, and all the collection below come from the first book. One of the few benefits of having such an appalling memory, is that I can read a book again as new, which saves a fortune if you have a serious book-purchasing addiction like myself.
Asimov was far ahead of his time in some of the scientific predictions contained in his fiction writing, though some omissions, such as the suggestion that future generations might still likely be paying for items with coins, rather than electronically, seem improbable.
One thing I do remember from my last reading of this series is the remarkable concept that it may be possible to predict the trends of future events by using the fictitious science of “psycho-history”, using mathematics, statistical analysis and probability, along with psychology and the study of human societies. Fictional it may have been, though I see from a review in today’s “Observer” newspaper, that the author Peter Turchin is predicting we are all doomed in a new book called “End Times — Elites, Counter-Elites and the Path of Political Disintegration”, and is also using advanced mathematics as his divinatory device, his aide to augury. I do like to be cheered up on a Sunday,
The following collection of lexicographical specimens is presented for your perusal, purview, and pleasure.
epigram — a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way; a short poem, especially a satirical one, with a witty or ingenious ending.
deus ex machina — from Latin, meaning an unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel.
acme — the point at which something is at its best or most highly developed.
sardonic — grimly mocking or cynical.
mountebank — a person who deceives others, especially in order to trick them out of their money; a charlatan. Also, a person who sold patent medicines in public places. For some reason the names Boris Johnson and Liz Truss come to mind — I really must move on.
legerdemain — skilful use of one’s hands when performing conjuring tricks;
deception; trickery. From French, literally meaning light of the hand.
Hope you enjoyed, and as always, thank you for reading.
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