Dictionary Word of the Day: circumlocution
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 05:54AM circumlocution \sir-kuhm-loh-KYOO-shuhn\, noun:
The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language.
Grin. Someone at Dictionary.com must've watched last night's Presidential Debate in Tennessee. I found it interesting the way BOTH candidates, when given a new question, seemed to warm up to their answers by taking around and around about nothing substantive and yet begin talking a MILE away from the actual question asked them once they got going. (circumlocation?)
It was as if they needed that warm up period of random circumlocution in which to think about what they wanted to talk about instead of the given question while giving the appearance that they were considering the question with the understanding of its full weight.
Give a politician time to circumlocute and he'll find a way to change the subject.
Shhhh. . . .now I've broken my self imposed rule of never discussing politics on my blog. . .
Reader Comments (3)
I love how you worked this word into a current event situation. It fits perfectly with how the candidates are during the debates! :)
Angie in OH
Didn't Lulu sing a song about this in the Sixties???...:)
Frustrating is the word I used last night. Saddened is the word I used today in my blog. Yours is a very good one as well- a good synonym would be Pontification. Last night and for your word.