Vocabulary Mnemonics Episode 59: Desultory, ostentatious, mentation, and more!
Mar 29, 2025
Delve into the quirky meanings of words like 'ostentatious' and 'desultory,' revealing their definitions through engaging examples. A memorable character helps unpack 'desultory' with chaotic antics at a gas station. Explore the dual life of 'peruse' as both a careful read and a quick glance. The hosts discuss 'yen' as a powerful desire, linking it to its rich history. Discover the sardonic wit of language and contrast it with the straightforwardness of prosaic writing, while expanding your vocabulary with terms like 'hubris' and 'verbose'.
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Episode notes
Showiness Equals Ostentatious
- Ostentatious describes things designed mainly to attract attention and display wealth or showiness.
- Use the image of an
Image Of Aimless Leaping
- Desultory means lacking plan or purpose and can suggest aimless jumping between tasks.
- The hosts illustrate it with the Latin image of acrobats leaping from horse to horse and a mnemonic about a gas-station owner Decel doing random inventory.
Peruse Can Be Two Opposites
- Peruse is a contronym that can mean either to skim or to read carefully depending on context.
- The pair-of-eyes mnemonic helps decide which meaning applies in usage.
