Some SAT Words Worth Keeping

Jane Austen is known for her extensive vocabulary, which can cause eye rolling: “blowsy,” “solicitude,” “diffident,” “abstruse,” and “licentiousness.”

“Shy” derives from “easily frightened,” whereas “diffident” derives from “lacking confidence or trust.”

Jane Austen is known for her extensive vocabulary, which can cause eye rolling: “blowsy,” “solicitude,” “diffident,” “abstruse,” and “licentiousness.”

Jane Austen is known for her extensive vocabulary, which can cause eye rolling: “blowsy,” “solicitude,” “diffident,” “abstruse,” and “licentiousness.”

Shakespeare found the contents of the English language lacked the words he needed to get things just right. So he invented over 1,700 words, including “equivocal,” “obsequiously,” and “zany.”

Shakespeare found the contents of the English language lacked the words he needed to get things just right. So he invented over 1,700 words, including “equivocal,” “obsequious,” and “zany.”

Some reformers might say Dr. Diane Ravitch “abjured” her previous beliefs. But that would mean she’d formally renounced a solemn legal or religious oath. That would go too far.

As we write or talk about migrant-labor families and their search for work and schools, should we describe their travels as “nomadic,” “peripatetic,” or “itinerant,” all of which connote moving from place to place? The first derives from “roaming in search of pastures,” bringing “work” to mind. The second relates to the way Aristotle taught while walking in the Lyceum, bringing “education” to mind. The last relates to regular, predictable travel (like a sales representative crossing her territor

As we write or talk about migrant-labor families and their search for work and schools, should we describe their travels as “nomadic,” “peripatetic,” or “itinerant,” all of which connote moving from place to place? The first derives from “roaming in search of pastures,” bringing “work” to mind. The second relates to the way Aristotle taught while walking in the Lyceum, bringing “education” to mind. The last relates to regular, predictable travel (like a sales representative crossing her territor

As we write or talk about migrant-labor families and their search for work and schools, should we describe their travels as “nomadic,” “peripatetic,” or “itinerant,” all of which connote moving from place to place? The first derives from “roaming in search of pastures,” bringing “work” to mind. The second relates to the way Aristotle taught while walking in the Lyceum, bringing “education” to mind. The last relates to regular, predictable travel (like a sales representative crossing her territor

Finally, the words “unctuous” and “lubricious” can both be used to describe an inanimate object that is “oily or slippery.”But they can both be applied to people, as well. The former describes someone who is friendly but in a seemingly insincere way. The latter connotes lecherousness. If an education reporter is writing about a relationship between a high-school student and a school employee, one of those words is far more fitting.

Finally, the words “unctuous” and “lubricious” can both be used to describe an inanimate object that is “oily or slippery.”But they can both be applied to people, as well. The former describes someone who is friendly but in a seemingly insincere way. The latter connotes lecherousness. If an education reporter is writing about a relationship between a high-school student and a school employee, one of those words is far more fitting.

Knowing the word “decimate” enabled me to understand the situation far better. It means to “destroy a large number” of something. It derives from the Roman army’s practice of randomly killing every tenth man in a unit as punishment for the unit’s cowardice in battle.

As we think about how outsiders might help such areas, the word “paternalism” is often used. It connotes that authority runs an area, like a father, by usurping others’ liberties. When I learned the word “avuncular,” a light bulb went off in my head. I

When I learned the word “avuncular,” a light bulb went off in my head. It means, “like an uncle” (not a father) and is generally used to describe kindliness and geniality. Now I have hope that outsiders, with good intentions and humility, can lend a hand—do with, not just do to.

And when leaders all of types try to sappily ingratiate themselves with a group, I used to immediately think it “saccharine,” sentimental but not sincere—I’d discount their words swiftly.