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copacetic ko-PUH-set-ik adjective all's well; satisfactory; acceptable; OK; fine 1986David DrakeThe Tank LordsIt's all copacetic.1987Jim ThompsonThe Rip OffThen everything's copacetic, right, Britt?1989James Lee BurkeBlack Cherry BluesEverything's copacetic.1990James EllroyL.A. ConfidentialAssuming that Whalen and Mickey don't collide upon the Mick's release, things look hunky-dory and copacetic, don't they?Labels: David Drake, James Ellroy, James Lee Burke, Jim Thompson
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leitmotif lait-mo-teef noun a repeating theme in music, literature, and art; a predominant theme 1954Pierre BoulleBridge Over The River Kwai'Never assume an operation is complete unless the enemy has been caused as much alarm and despondency as possible' was the—leitmotif—of the Plastic and Destructions Company, Ltd.1959Albert CamusThe Myth of Sisyphus: An Absurd ReasoningI do not want to suggest anything here, but how can one fail to read in his works the signs of an almost intentional mutilation of the soul to balance the mutilation accepted in regard to the absurd? It is the leitmotiv of the Journal.1965Jim ThompsonTexas by the TailBut still there had to be more to it than that; some hideous note that only he could hear in the Leitmotif to which he marched through life.Labels: Albert Camus, Jim Thompson, Pierre Boulle
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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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canard kuh-NAWRD noun an untrue story; a false declaration; a cock-and-bull story 1912Roald AmundsenThe South PoleIt may be mentioned as a curiosity that the newspapers of Funchal did not hesitate to connect our expedition with the South Pole. The native journalists had no idea of the value of the startling piece of news they were circulating. It was a canard invented on the supposition that when a Polar ship steers to the south, she must, of course, be making for the South Pole. In this case the canard happened to be true. Fortunately for us, it did not fly beyond the shores of Madeira.1953Jim ThompsonBad BoyIt was Pell who spread the rumor that Hebert wore no pants behind the high marble counter, a canard which—according to the sex and temperament of the guest—resulted in looks of disgust, scowls, and howls of laughter for the baffled and blushing room clerk.2003Ann CoulterTreasonAmerica disproved the canard from the French Revolution holding that religion and freedom were incompatible.Labels: Ann Coulter, Jim Thompson, Roald Amundsen
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libation lai-BAY-shuhn noun an alcohol beverage; ceremonial drinking 1953Jim ThompsonSavage NightYou look like you might be able to use a small libation, Mr. Bigelow.1967Poul AndersonEutopiaSolemnly, they poured a libation before they drank.1990Piers AnthonyFirefly'Here—I have brought wherewithal for a libation.' He reached behind him and brought out a hip flask.1996Ann RuleA Fever in the HeartKenny Marino had invited three girls to come to his parents' home that night for Tequila Sunrises, a curious Christmas libation.Labels: Ann Rule, Jim Thompson, Piers Anthony, Poul Anderson
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saturnine SA-turh-nain adjective to be melancholy; to be bitterly sarcastic; a grave; foreboding appearance 1878Bret Harte Drift From Two Shores After the Sunday episode, already referred to, she was given her liberty on that day, a privilege she gracefully recognized by somewhat unbending her usual austerity in the indulgence of a saturnine humor. 1946Henry KuttnerVintage SeasonHe saw one man's face, over and overa long, dark saturnine face, deeply lined, sorrowful, the face of a powerful man wise in worldliness, urbane and helpless.1957Jim ThompsonWild TownBugs glowered at him helplessly, wanting nothing so much as to smash his fist into the deputy's bland, saturnine face.1995Brian JacquesThe Outcast of RedwallTall and saturnine, he dressed plainly and affected the manner of a gentlebeast.Labels: Bret Harte, Brian Jacques, Henry Kuttner, Jim Thompson
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