The Death of Fissiparous and Other Words: A Dictionary of Words & Phrases on the Verge of Extinction

ignotum per ignotius

ig-NO-tuhm pur ig-NO-tee-uhs

phrase

explaining something difficult to comprehend by reference to something even harder to comprehend

1400Geoffrey ChaucerThe Canterbury Tales'Yea, Sir, and is it thus? This is ignotum per ignotius. What is Magnesia, good Sir, I pray?'1909A. C. SewardDarwin and Modern ScienceHe refused to supplement them by hypothetical geographical changes for which there was no independent evidence: this was simply to attempt to explain ignotum per ignotius.1989Clive BarkerThe Great and Secret ShowObscurum per obscurius, ignotum per ignotius, they advised. Let the obscure be explained by the more obscure, the unknown by the more unknown.

Labels: A. C. Seward, Clive Barker, Geoffrey Chaucer

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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amor vincit omnia

AW-mor win-kit OM-nee-aw

phrase

love conquers all; love conquers all things

1400Geoffrey ChaucerThe Canterbury TalesOn which ther was first write a crowned 'A,' | And after, 'Amor vincit omnia.' | Another Nonne with hir hadde she, | That was hire Chapeleyne, and preestes thre.1911Ethel M. DellThe Way of an EagleIt flashed upon her finally, as though a voice had spoken into her ear. The words were: Omnia Vincit Amor. And the ring in her hand was no longer the outward visible sign of her compact. It was a love-token, given to her by a man who had spoken no word of love.1930G. K. ChestertonFour Faultless Felons It’s a pretty thing—sort of imitation fourteenth century, with Amor Vincit Omnia on it.

Labels: Ethel M. Dell, G. K. Chesterton, Geoffrey Chaucer

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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wanhope

WAN-hop

noun

nearly hopeless; a feint hope

1400Geoffrey ChaucerThe Canterbury TalesWel oughte I sterve in wanhope and distresse, Farwel, my lif, my lust, and my galdnesse!1907William Dean HowellsBetween The Dark and The DaylightI should like to give the story of Alford's experiences just as Wanhope told it, sitting with us before the glowing hearth in the Turkish room, one night after the other diners at our club had gone away to digest their dinners at the theatre, or in their bachelor apartments up-town, or on the late trains which they were taking north, south, and west; or had hurried back to their offices to spend the time stolen from rest in overwork for which their famished nerves would duly revenge themselves.

Labels: Geoffrey Chaucer, William Dean Howells

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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