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naïf naw-EEF adjective, noun a naïve person; a credulous person 1860Various Atlantic Monthly (22 June 1860)There is something charmingly naïf in thus throwing in the company as a succedaneum to the dinner, and carefully segregating the widow from the rest of mankind as a distinct species. 1889Leo TolstoyFruits of CultureLEONÍD FYÓDORITCH: It is quite evident he also is a medium. Especially as he is very like Home in appearance. You remember Home—a fair-haired naïf sort of fellow?1935Hugh WalpoleThe Inquisitor...because of his physical size, his voice, his laugh and something attractively naïf in his personality people laughed at him indulgently.1992Martin Cruz SmithRed SquareA naïf might ask why Minin hadn't gone to the Lenin's Path Collective. Arkady knew from experience that there were two types of investigations: one that uncovered information, and the more traditional type that covered it up.2003Neal Stephenson QuicksilverHmm, you are well-informed, for a political naif.Labels: Hugh Walpole, Leo Tolstoy, Martin Cruz Smith, Neal Stephenson, Various
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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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zakuska za-KOOS-ka noun snack food; hors d'oeuvre 1902Henry Seton MerrimanThe Vultures'Only one,' replied Deulin—'the waiter who serves the Zakuska counter down-stairs.1915H. G. WellsThe Research Magnificent In January, in an outbreak of enquiry, he had gone with Lionel Maxim to St. Petersburg and had eaten zakuska, brightened his eyes with vodka, talked with a number of charming people of the war that was then imminent, listened to gipsy singers until dawn, careered in sledges about the most silent and stately of capitals, and returned with Lionel, discoursing upon autocracy and assassination, Japan, the Russian destiny, and the government of Peter the Great. 1919Hugh WalpoleThe Secret CityThen with a sigh he drew a chair up to the table and began eating zakuska, putting salt-fish and radishes and sausage on to his place and eating them with a fork.Labels: H. G. Wells, Henry Seton Merriman, Hugh Walpole
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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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oblation o-BLAY-shuhn noun offering something in worship; the act of making an offering or sacrifice 1852Catherine Parr Traill Canadian CrusoesThe Indians offered the first of the birds as an oblation to the Great Spirit, as a grateful acknowledgment of his bounty in having allowed them to gather food thus plentifully for their families; sometimes distant tribes with whom they were on terms of friendship were invited to share the sport and partake of the spoils. 1932Hugh Walpole The FortressShe dropped a sixpence into the little monkey's cup as a sort of oblation. 1948Cornell Woolrich Rendezvous In BlackSuddenly, in a flash of anger, he went over to it, pitched it shoulder-high in venomous oblation, and downed it, flat as it was.Labels: Catherine Parr Traill, Cornell Woolrich, Hugh Walpole
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galère ga-LUR noun an unsavory group of individuals; a group of similar individuals 1931Hugh WalpoleAbove the Dark TumultBut, mystery of mysteries, what had Osmund to do in this galère? Osmund, the aristocrat, to be mixed in this degraded crowd, and involved in a burglary as common and vulgar as any in the cheapest novelette!1968John Le CarreA Small Town In GermanyIn six months he's changed the whole galère.1986Martin AmisThe Moronic Inferno & Other Visits to AmericaIn such a galère, literary comrades are doing pretty well if they are merely 'ghastly'…Labels: Hugh Walpole, John Le Carre, Martin Amis
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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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