Sunday, September 25, 2011

Rhetoric - inkhornism



inkhornism [ˈɪŋkhɔːnɪz(ə)m] n.

1.) An arcane term; a bookish word. Also termed "inkhorn term" (Garner's Modern American Usage 3rd Edition).

Etymology: An inkhorn was variously a a portable case for holding writing materials or a portable ink bottle (originally made of horn). In the Renaissance, a pedantic, ostentatious writer would be said to "smell [or savor] a little of the inkhorn." Hence "inkhornism" came to be used in reference to a word that typifies a style with that particular odor.

"I'm just reporting the linguistic facts. But in a glossary like this one, a little sesquipedality—for the right reader—can be some some fun" (ibid., Bryan A. Garner (ed.), 2009).

(De geleerde in zijn studeerkamer, Willem van der Vliet, 1627)
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11 comments:

Hasidic Plumber said...

Ok, perhaps i shouldn't be the one talking about randomness, but the guy holding his mask with a grin behind the bearded guy, is definitely random. They were the original anon.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I think you mixed up your examples, LOL!

Unknown said...

haha would you take it as a compliment or an insult for this word to be applied to this blog?

Jodie-Ann Muckler said...

LOL Debra's right ^^ I think

i_love_weed said...

inkhorn... i imagined a horn made of ink xD

Kevin Faulkner said...

Allusion to oil, its burning at midnight, is a similar hint of long study. Sir T.B. in introduction to Pseudodoxia Epidemica

'....a work of this nature is not to be performed upon one leg, and should smell of oil if duly and deservedly handled'.

themajessty said...

Did you mix up your examples?

I'm utterly confused and I HATE admitting that I'm confused.

I deduct fifty Awesome points from you.

meandmythinkingcap said...

No one other than me finds this funny?
Ink,hornism - did this word even exist?
Thanks dude for bringing these words to attention. They definitey deserve attention.

Unknown said...

ironic that this word is now a definition of itself.

A Beer for the Shower said...

That gent is certainly holding up a Guy Fawkes mask.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Ohhhhhh, I get it now!

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