disingenuous (adjective)
Disingenuous (dis-in-JEN-yoo-us) means lacking on frankness, candor, or sincerity. As I used it today: “I could have told him what I just told you, but I was afraid he would see that as disingenuous.”
bravado (noun)
Bravado (bruh-VAH-doh) is a bold manner or show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate. As I used it today: “I was charmed by his total lack of bravado (which I would have expected from a man of his young age) and his trust in me.”
indefatigable (adjective)
Indefatigable (in-dih-FAT-ih-guh-buhl) means determined and energetic in trying to achieve something; never willing to admit defeat. As I used it today: “I learned that I could sometimes accomplish goals and objectives that seemed unattainable merely by being doggedly indefatigable.”
Corona Crash! (noun)
A term coined by yours truly to describe what’s been going on in the world’s markets. I’ve been using it in my communications with other writers, so I’m sure they’re going to pick up on it.
But remember… you saw it here first!
wokeness (noun)
Wokeness (WOHK-ness) is the quality or state of being woke – of being aware of social injustice. As I used it today: “LA, in its evolved wokeness, provides sanctuaries for illegal immigrants and humiliation zones for legal smokers.”
litmus test
Chemically, the litmus (LIT-mus) test is used to determine whether a substance is acidic or alkaline. The test is performed by placing a small sample onto red or blue litmus paper. Red paper turns blue when the substance is alkaline; blue paper turns red when it is acidic. Because the results of the test are so definite and indisputable, the term is also applied to a single factor in any context that is considered to be crucial. As I used it today: “The OSS will turn you into a Stage One sales and marketing expert, becoming your secret litmus test to measure new ideas and make wise decisions.”
viridity (noun)
Viridity (vuh-RID-ih-tee) refers to youth, innocence, inexperience. Example from Theodore Edward Hook: “What intellectual viridity that exemplary creature possesses!”
insidious (adjective)
Insidious (in-SID-ee-us) means stealthily treacherous or deceitful. As I used it today: “In a recent essay, Bill Bonner provided an excellent quick history lesson in the insidious and unintended effects [of bad economic policy].”
pragmatism (noun)
Pragmatism (PRAG-muh-tizm) is a practical approach to thinking of or dealing with problems, rather than using theory or abstract principles. As I used it today: “I like to think of myself as an individualist and a contrarian, but most of all as a pragmatist.”
supersede vs. supercede (verb)
To supersede (soo-per-SEED) is to take the place of a person or thing previously in authority or use. Supercede is a misspelling… and has been a common mistake for centuries. As I used it today: “[Direct marketers] already have much more useful information – historical response data – that often supersedes or contradicts demographic assumptions.”