Vocabulary Mnemonics Episode 95: Best words from episodes 26-50
Dec 6, 2025
Join Matt and Mom as they delve into intriguing vocabulary gems from previous sessions. Discover the meaning of 'caveat emptor' and how it connects to emptiness. Explore the contrast between 'hoi polloi' and 'hoity-toity.' Unravel the charming essence of a 'flâneur' and its relation to planning. Learn about 'gasconade' and picture Gaston boasting extravagantly. Understand 'denouement' as a story's conclusion, while 'zertz' brings humor with its dessert-guzzling notion. Wrap up with the cheerful 'bonhomie' and the kitschy world of tastelessness.
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Use Caveat Emptor For Buyer Warnings
- Use the Latin phrase "caveat emptor" to warn someone about buyer beware situations for emphasis.
- Say it conversationally (e.g., at a flea market or used car lot) to sound concise and savvy.
Contrast Aids Memory: Hoi Polloi Vs Hoity-Toity
- "Hoi polloi" contrasts neatly with "hoity-toity," helping you remember it means the masses.
- Use the contrast (HP vs HT) to cement the social-class distinction in memory.
Flâneur As The Observant City Stroller
- Matt recalls reading Nassim Taleb describing himself as a flâneur, a city stroller and observer.
- He uses a mnemonic linking flâneur to city planner to remember the word's observational meaning.
