---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Learning Kingdom's Cool Word of the Day for May 6, 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- sesquipedalian [n., adj. SES-kwi-puh-DAYL-yun] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a word that both names and describes itself. A sesquipedalian is a long word, and such a word (as well as someone who uses such words) is sesquipedalian. The implied sense is that such a long word is needlessly pompous when shorter words would do. This word's use in English came from the Roman poet Horace's phrase "sesquipedalia verba" (words a foot and a half long), which carried the same implication of needless pomposity. The prefix sesqui- (one and a half) also appears in sesquicentennial (an anniversary at 150 years) and is a derivative of semi- (half). The suffix -pedalian is from the Latin pes (foot), which gave us many "foot" words including these: foot: walking and standing appendage at the end of the leg pedal: a pad on which the foot presses to control something impede: to retard or obstruct (originally, in a snare or trap) pedestrian: person walking on the street centipede: "hundred footed" creature millipede: "thousand footed" creature Today's sponsor: ACSI Bulk Inks <http://www.oddparts.com/ink> WHY pay $30 for a new inkjet cartridge, when you can refill your current one 10 times for $21.95 with our 450 ml pint bottles. Free, easy on-line instructions. Color and photo inks too. Call us now Toll Free: 1-888-728-2465 VISA/MC/AMEX ACSI Bulk Inks: <http://www.oddparts.com/ink> Mention Cool-Word and save $5 on shipping/handling ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cool Word of the Day list membership: 90,426 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/join/ To unsubscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/change/ To become a sponsor, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/sponsor/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 1999, The Learning Kingdom, Inc. http://www.LearningKingdom.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------