Words in Obama's book

glib
Pronunciation: \ˈglib\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): glib·ber; glib·best
Etymology: probably modification of Low German glibberig slippery
Date: 1584
1 a: marked by ease and informality : nonchalant b: showing little forethought or preparation : offhand c: lacking depth and substance : superficial
2archaic : smooth , slippery
3: marked by ease and fluency in speaking or writing often to the point of being insincere or deceitful

jerry–built
Function: adjective
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1869
1 : built cheaply and unsubstantially
2 : carelessly or hastily put together

These words were enjoyed while reading Obama's book "Dreams from My Father". In this well written memoir, Obama recounts some of his experiences while growing up in Hawaii, Indonesia, New York, Kenya, and Chicago. I was moved by the stories of his struggle to understand race and the other experiences that he had with his broken family. I recommend this book to everyone because it gives an inside look at the man that will be our President for the next four years.

Maxwell Words

Words from Neil A. Maxwell talks:
mirth
Pronunciation: \ˈmərth\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English myrgth, from myrge merry — more at merry
Date: before 12th century
: gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter
vaunt
Pronunciation: \ˈvȯnt, ˈvänt\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French vanter, from Late Latin vanitare, frequentative of Latin *vanare, from vanus vain
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
: to make a vain display of one's own worth or attainments : brag
transitive verb
: to call attention to pridefully and often boastfully

New words inspired by The Met and Podcasts

coup d'état
Variant(s): or coup d'etat \ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌ, -də-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural coups d'état or coups d'etat \-ˈtä(z), -ˌtä(z)\
Etymology: French, literally, stroke of state
Date: 1646
: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics ; especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group
Dulcet
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English doucet, from Anglo-French, from duz, douz sweet, from Latin dulcis; perhaps akin to Greek glykys sweet
Date: 14th century
1 : sweet to the taste
2 : pleasing to the ear "dulcet tones"
3 : generally pleasing or agreeable "a dulcet smile"
Alabaster
Main Entry: al·a·bas·ter
Pronunciation: \ˈa-lə-ˌbas-tər\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English alabastre, from Anglo-French albastre, from Latin alabaster vase of alabaster, from Greek alabastros
Date: 14th century
1 : a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments
2 : a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded

I saw some fine Egyptian alabaster at the Met the other day. I liked the name and the look of Alabaster... quite dulcet

I heard the other words on podcasts and liked them. I am all about podcasts lately and some of my favorites are the BBC World News, Slate Political Gabfest, NPR's Fresh Air, BBC's Arts and Ideas Podcast, NPR's All Songs Considered, and many others that are FREE on itunes.