Not All Epithets are Insults

Not All Epithets are Insults Not All Epithets are Insults Not All Epithets are Insults By Maeve Maddox Judging by the words common use in todays media, one might imagine epithet to be no more than a synonym for insult. Some epithets are insults, but the word has a wider application. For example, look at all these epithets Handel applied to the Baby Jesus in The Messiah: Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Here are some Homeric epithets: many minded Achilles, swift-footed Odysseus, the ox-eyed lady (Hera) epithet 1. An adjective indicating some quality or attribute which the speaker or writer regards as characteristic of the person or thing described; 2. A significant appellation. OED 2nd edition. In 1993 this definition was added: An offensive or derogatory expression used of a person; an abusive term; a profanity. Leaving aside the literary uses of epithets, heres a look at some ways journalists use them. Some epithets, first used by one particular writer, become so attached to persons and things that it becomes rare to see one without the other: powerful Ways and Means committee embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich worlds largest retailer Wal-Mart Sometimes epithets may be used to predispose readers to a positive or negative frame of mind without seeming to editorialize: Motorist Rodney King Troubled pop star Brittany Spears NFL star Michael Vick semi-repentant zillionaire Mel Gibson greedy Wall Street bankers Some thoughts on epithets 1. Cliched epithets are not intrinsically bad. They can be useful shorthand devices for writers and readers in a hurry. 2. The epithet is a respectable rhetorical device. Writers with more time at their disposal might revise for cliched epithets and come up with fresher epithets of their own. 3. If one is writing about someone hurling epithets it might be helpful to specify what kind of epithets were hurled. Were they racial epithets? Did they attack the target in terms of gender, politics, occupation, or morality? Its conceivable that a speaker could be showered with complimentary epithets by his listeners. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of AdjectivesConnotations of 35 Words for Funny Peopleâ€Å"Least,† â€Å"Less,† â€Å"More,† and â€Å"Most†

Mexican National Anthem

Mexican National Anthem One of the most impressive choral performances Ive heard was when I was part of a crowd of hundreds of thousands one Sept. 15, the eve of Mexicos Independence Day, on Mexico Citys main plaza, known as the ZÃ ³calo. Late in the night, the crowd sang this song, the Mexican National Anthem, known officially as el Himno Nacional Mexicano. The anthem was written in 1853 by poet Francisco Gonzlez Bocanegra, although it didnt become official until nearly a century later. It was originally written with 10 verses and a chorus, although only four verses are typically sung. The anthem is usually sung starting with a chorus followed by the four stanzas, with the chorus sung between each stanza and at the end. Estribillo: Mexicanos, al grito de guerraEl acero aprestad y el bridn,Y retiemble en sus centros la tierraAl sonoro rugir del can. Chorus: Mexicans, when the war cry is heard,Have sword and bridle ready.Let the earths foundations trembleAt the loud cannons roar. Estrofa 1: Cia oh Patria! tus sienes de olivaDe la paz el arcngel divino,Que en el cielo tu eterno destino,Por el dedo de Dios se escribi;Mas si osare un extrao enemigo,Profanar con su planta tu suelo,Piensa oh Patria querida! que el cieloUn soldado en cada hijo te dio. Stanza 1: May the divine archangel crown your brow,Oh fatherland, with an olive branch of peace,For your eternal destiny has been writtenIn heaven by the finger of God.But should a foreign enemyDare to profane your soil with his tread,Know, beloved fatherland, that heaven gave youA soldier in each of your sons. Estrofa 2: Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que intenteDe la patria manchar los blasones!Guerra, guerra! Los patrios pendonesEn las olas de sangre empapad.Guerra, guerra! En el monte, en el valleLos caones horrsonos truenenY los ecos sonoros resuenenCon las voces de Unin! Libertad! Stanza 2: War, war without truce against who would attemptto blemish the honor of the fatherland!War, war! The patriotic bannerssaturate in waves of blood.War, war! On the mount, in the valeThe terrifying cannon thunderand the echoes nobly resoundto the cries of union! liberty! Estrofa 3: Antes, patria,que inermes tus hijosBajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen,Tus campias con sangre se rieguen,Sobre sangre se estampe su pie.Y tus templos, palacios y torresSe derrumben con hrrido estruendo,Y sus ruinas existan diciendo:De mil hroes la patria aqu fue. Stanza 2: Fatherland, before your children become unarmedBeneath the yoke their necks in sway,May your countryside be watered with blood,On blood their feet trample.And may your temples, palaces and towerscrumble in horrid crash,and their ruins exist saying:The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here. Estrofa 4: Patria! Patria! tus hijos te juranExhalar en tus aras su aliento,Si el clarn con su blico acento,Los convoca a lidiar con valor:Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva!Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria!Un laurel para ti de victoria!Un sepulcro para ellos de honor! Stanza 4: Fatherland, oh fatherland, your sons vowTo give their last breath on your altars,If the trumpet with its warlike soundCalls them to valiant battle.For you, the olive garlands,For them, a glorious memory.For you, the victory laurels,For them, an honored tomb.