The Words You Should Know to Sound Smart

by Bobbi Bly

  lapping (LAH-ping), noun

  The practice of falsifying accounting records to conceal a shortage caused by theft or loss, usually by posting a financial transaction to an accounting period other than the one during which it actually took place.

  Even after Skyler was indicted, he could not accept that LAPPING was an objectionable practice.

  largesse (lar-JESS), noun

  The generous bestowal of gifts; or, generosity in general.

  “A LARGESS universal, like the sun, / His liberal eye doth give to everyone, / Thawing cold fear.” – William Shakespeare

  lascivious (luh-SIV-ee-us), adjective

  Interested in and eager to engage in sexual activity; sexual in nature.

  “An impersonal and scientific knowledge of the structure of our bodies is the surest safeguard against prurient curiosity and LASCIVIOUS gloating.” – Marie Carmichael Stopes, British scientist and birth-control pioneer

  lassitude (LAS-ih-tood), noun

  Having little energy or motivation; weariness.

  “We know what boredom is: it is a dull / Impatience or a fierce velleity, / A champing wish, stalled by our LASSITUDE, / To make or do.” – Richard Wilbur, American poet

  latency (LAY-ten-see), noun

  A period of dormancy that precedes a period of great growth or action.

  We knew that Abigail’s focus on extremely liberal causes was merely a LATENCY that would end with her focus solely on charitable giving to the proper charities.

  latifundia (lah-ti-FUN-dee-uh), noun

  A large estate, plantation, or farm run by wealthy owners and staffed with underpaid or semi-servile workers.

  Billings argued that his family’s sugar cane plantation in the Caribbean is not a LATIFUNDIA because the factory pays its workers what is considered a living wage for the country.

  laudable (LAW-duh-bull), adjective

  Commendable; deserving of praise.

  Rebecca’s decision to tell her mother that she lost the emerald brooch she borrowed without permission was LAUDABLE.

  legerdemain (le-juhr-duh-MAYN), noun

  Magic tricks; or, generally speaking, trickery and deception.

  The Wilkinsons are one of the few of our families whose initial wealth did not come as a result of financial LEGERDEMAIN.

  lethargic (luh-THAHR-jihk), adjective

  Drowsy and sluggish; lacking vigor.

  “Great talents, by the rust of long disuse, / Grow LETHARGIC and shrink from what they were.” – Ovid, Roman poet

  levant (leh-VANT), noun

  The countries on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

  Ties between Western Europe and the LEVANT were first established during the Crusades.

  leverage (LEH-veh-ridge), noun

  Possessing an advantage or extra degree of influence in a given situation.

  With his family’s connections, Eldridge required no LEVERAGE to obtain a sinecure in the financial industry.

  leviathan (le-VY-ah-thun), adjective

  A gigantic creature, structure, or thing, awe-inspiring in its sheer size.

  “Wilson looked out through the window at the LEVIATHAN glitter of the terminal.” – Richard Matheson, American science fiction writer

  levity (LEHV-ih-tee), noun

  Lack of appropriate seriousness; or, inconstant in nature.

  “Love, which is the essence of God, is not for LEVITY, but for the total worth of man.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist

  lexicon (LEK-sih-kahn), noun

  The language or vocabulary of a specialized discipline or profession.

  “In the LEXICON of lip-smacking, an epicure is fastidious in his choice and enjoyment of food, just a soupçon more expert than a gastronome.” – William Safire, American journalist and presidential speechwriter

  liaison (lee-ay-ZAWHN), noun

  An adulterous relationship; or, a kind of illicit sexual relationship.

  LIAISONS are much more common within our group than are stable marriages.

  libation (lye-BAY-shun), noun

  An alcoholic beverage consumed at social gatherings, parties, and celebrations.

  With the LIBATIONS flowing freely, each member of the winning team felt compelled to make a drunken speech.

  libertine (LIB-er-teen), noun, adjective

  Licentious and free of moral restraint; or, a person so characterized.

  “It is easier to make a saint out of a LIBERTINE than out of a prig.” – George Santayana, author and philosopher

  libration (ly-BRAY-shun), noun

  The oscillation of Earth’s moon around its axis.

  LIBRATIONS are caused by changes in the intensity of Earth’s gravitational pull on the moon.

  licentious (ly-SEN-shus), adjective

  Promiscuous; slutty; someone who is sexually uninhibited and free.

  Janine’s LICENTIOUS behavior was really a cry for attention, the school psychologist was convinced.

  lien (LEAN), noun

  A creditor’s right to have debts paid out of the debtor’s property, if necessary by selling it.

  It’s sad that we, at times, must place LIENS on our servants’ automobiles, but that is why they are the servers and we the “servees.”

  Lilliputian (lil-ee-PEW-shun), adjective

  Small in stature; tiny in comparison to one’s peers.

  Jules Vern’s LILLIPUTIAN appearance made people treat him like a child.

  limpid (LIM-pid), adjective

  Clear and transparent; free from obscurity.

  The Motsingers are fond of saying that they are capable of eschewing all of the most LIMPID tax dodges.

  lineage (LIN-ee-ij), noun

  Ancestry; your family tree.

  We still consider Rachel nouveau riche because her family can only trace its American LINEAGE to the mid-ninteenth century.

  liquidity (lih-KWI-dih-tee), noun

  The relative ease with which a person can sell an asset.

  Despite a firm belief in wealth LIQUIDITY, Dotson continues to buy such depreciable items as yachts and Porsches.

  lissome (LISS-um), adjective

  Lithe; supple; flexible.

  Moira acquired her LISSOME frame from years of swimming in her family’s Olympic-sized pool.

  litany (LIT-n-ee), noun

  A prolonged and boring account.

  “With the supermarket as our temple and the singing commercial as our LITANY, are we likely to fire the world with an irresistible vision of America’s exalted purpose and inspiring way of life?” – Adlai Stevenson, American politician

  literati (lih-ter-AH-tee), noun

  The segment of society comprised of learned or literary men and women.

  We attract the LITERATI because of our constantly carefree and exciting exploits.

  lithe (LIthE), adjective

  Having a body and/or mind that is limber, flexible, and supple.

  “The coconut trees, LITHE and graceful, crowd the beach … like a minuet of slender elderly virgins adopting flippant poses.” – William Manchester, American historian

  litigious (lih-TIJ-us), adjective

  Readily inclined to take someone to court; or, very argumentative.

  “Our wrangling lawyers … are so LITIGIOUS and busy here on earth, that I think they will plead their clients’ causes hereafter,—some of them in hell.” – Robert Burton, English scholar and vicar at Oxford University

  liturgy (LIH-tur-jee), noun

  The performance of a Christian religious service in a church.

  During the LITURGY, the singing of the Christmas hymns filled the church with the sound of joy.

  livid (LIHV-id), adjective

  Enraged or extremely angry.

  Jennifer was LIVID when we suggested that her new outfit was three weeks out of date.

  locution (low-KEW-shin), noun

  A person’s manner and style of speaking.

  Neil prides himself on h
is precise LOCUTION, but some of the guys think he sounds rather prissy.

  logy (LOW-gee), adjective

  Characterized by lethargy and sluggishness.

  “To be scared is such a release from all the LOGY weight of procrastination, of dallying and pokiness! You burn into work. It is as though gravity were removed and you walked lightly to the moon like an angel.” – Brenda Ueland, American author

  loquacious (loh-KWAY-shus), adjective

  Verbose; chatty; the habit of talking nonstop.

  Amy and Donna are each so LOQUACIOUS, their average phone call lasts ninety minutes.

  luciferous (loo-SI-fuh-ruhs), adjective

  Providing insight or enlightenment; illuminating.

  Blake did not find the Ivy League LUCIFEROUS, so he decided to devote his life to world travel instead.

  lucre (LOO-ker), noun

  Monetary reward or gain.

  “I fear the popular notion of success stands in direct opposition in all points to the real and wholesome success. One adores public opinion, the other, private opinion; one, fame, the other, desert; one, feats, the other, humility; one, LUCRE, the other, love.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist

  Luddite (LUHD-eyt), noun

  A person who refuses to use or embrace modern technology.

  We would not stop calling Annabel a LUDDITE until she finally got herself a Vertu cell phone like the rest of us.

  lugubrious (loo-GOO-bree-us), adjective

  Pessimistic, emotionally downtrodden, spiritually low, sad, or depressed.

  Prozac failed to ameliorate the patient’s LUGUBRIOUS outlook on life.

  lumerpa (loo-MER-pa), noun

  A mythological radiant bird from Asia that shines so brightly it absorbs its own shadow.

  The presence of numerous Waterford crystal chandeliers made the ballroom shine like a LUMERPA.

  luminary (LOO-muh-nair-ee), noun

  A person recognized as an inspirational leader in his or her field.

  Frederick’s father is a LUMINARY in the field of circumventing most income tax.

  lumpenproletariat (LUM-pen-pro-lih-tear-ee-ut), noun

  Term used by Karl Marx to describe uneducated common people.

  It’s difficult to pretend to be a member of the LUMPENPROLETARIAT when your car costs more than your next-door neighbor’s house.

  lustration (luh-STRAY-shun), noun

  Purification through symbolic or ceremonial means or remembrances.

  After Melanie spent six months working with charities in third-world countries, we put her through LUSTRATION by reintroducing her to our favorite luxury boutiques.

  lyceum (LIE-see-um), noun

  A school or other place of learning.

  “[Television] should be our LYCEUM, our Chautauqua, our Minsky’s, and our Camelot.” – E. B. White, American author

  “The man who is in the MELEE

  knows what blows are being struck

  and what blood is being drawn.”

  Woodrow Wilson

  M

  Machiavellian (mack-ee-uh-VEL-ee-uhn), adjective

  A somewhat unscrupulous and self-centered individual who is always looking out for his or her own good.

  We can hardly be called MACHIAVELLIAN simply because we do what we need to do to hold on to the luxurious lifestyle to which we have become accustomed.

  maelstrom (MAIL-struhm), noun

  A situation marked by violence, turbulence, and uncertainty.

  Many families who lost their fortunes during the MAELSTROM of the 1929 stock market crash are still trying to regain their social status today.

  Magna Carta (MAG-nah-KAR-tah), noun

  Any constitution that guarantees rights and liberties.

  The club’s charter is a MAGNA CARTA that will ensure we are able to keep our tennis courts and swimming pools open only to our most significant social contacts.

  magnanimous (mag-NAN-ih-mus), adjective

  A kind and generous act.

  “In a serious struggle there is no worse cruelty than to be MAGNANIMOUS at an inopportune time.” – Leon Trotsky, Bolshevik revolutionary and Marxist theorist

  magnate (MAG-nayt), noun

  A wealthy and prosperous business leader; a tycoon.

  Oil MAGNATE T. Boone Pickens is now investing in wind power.

  magniloquent (mag-NILL-uh-kwuhnt), adjective

  Pompous, bombastic, and boastful.

  The nouveau riche try to atone for their lack of polish with MAGNILOQUENT speech, but the result is ludicrous.

  magnum (MAG-num), noun

  An extra-large wine bottle twice the size of a regular wine bottle; a powerful handgun firing large bullets.

  We doubted the taste of the event planner when we saw that the tables were filled with distasteful MAGNUMS of wines of questionable vintage.

  malapropism (MAL-ah-prop-ism), noun

  Deliberate misuse of a word or mangling of the English language, often done for comic effect.

  Since Emily refused to take elocution lessons like the rest of us, her speech is constantly marred by ridiculous MALAPROPISMS.

  maleficence (muh-LEF-ih-sense), noun

  To act in a way that deliberately causes harm; behavior driven by evil intentions.

  Our upstairs maid’s various acts of MALEFICENCE finally caused her to be released from our family’s employment.

  malfeasance (mal-FEE-zinss), noun

  Misbehavior; wrongdoing; illegal, unethical, or immoral conduct.

  Gavin insists that insider trading is not MALFEASANCE; it’s merely making good use of all available information.

  malleable (MAL-yah-bull), adjective

  Easily molded into different shapes; easily influenced to change one’s opinion or actions.

  “I did not know that mankind was suffering for want of gold. I have seen a little of it. I know that it is very MALLEABLE, but not so MALLEABLE as wit.” – Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist

  manifest destiny (MAN-ih-fest-DESS-tin-ee), noun

  Expansion into foreign lands, justified as being necessary or benevolent.

  “It’s not greed and ambition that makes wars—it’s goodness. Wars are always fought for the best of reasons, for liberation or MANIFEST DESTINY, always against tyranny and always in the best interests of humanity.” – James Garner in The Americanization of Emily

  marginalize (MAR-jin-ul-eyes), verb

  To dismiss something as less important than it actually is.

  Francine has too many connections for us to snub her completely, but we have done our best to MARGINALIZE her influence.

  marshal (MAR-shul), verb

  To gather all the resources at one’s disposal to achieve a goal.

  Patricia MARSHALED all of her social contacts to try to get a front-row ticket for fashion week.

  marsupial (mar-SOUP-ee-uhl), noun

  A mammal who carries its young with her after its birth in a pouch on the outside of her body, where the baby continues to develop.

  The kangaroo is the best-known MARSUPIAL, but wombats also carry their babies in a pouch.

  marzipan (MAR-zih-pan), noun

  A sweet confection made of almond paste, sugar, and egg white, used as a filling in candy or as icing for cake.

  “American Danish can be doughy, heavy, sticky, tasting of prunes and is usually wrapped in cellophane. Danish Danish is light, crisp, buttery and often tastes of MARZIPAN or raisins; it is seldom wrapped in anything but loving care.” – R. W. Apple, Jr., American food critic

  masticate (MAS-tih-kate), verb

  To chew, especially to chew thoroughly.

  The best way to appreciate the gustatory arts is to MASTICATE your personal chef’s creations at as relaxed a pace as possible.

  maudlin (MAWD-lin), adjective

  Foolishly and mawkishly sentimental or emotional.

  “It is a MAUDLIN and indecent verity that comes out through the strength of
wine.” – Joseph Conrad, Polish-born English novelist

  maunder (MAWN-dehr), verb

  To move, speak, or act in a random, meaningless manner.

  Ricardo’s speech MAUNDERS so much that you’d never know he was heir to one of Central America’s largest fortunes.

  maverick (MAH-ver-ik), noun

  An unorthodox or unconventional person who does what it takes to get things done.

  “The rugged individualist is too often mistaken for the misfit, the MAVERICK, the spoilsport, the sore thumb.” – Lewis H. Lapham, former editor of Harper’s Magazine

  mawkish (MAW-kish), adjective

  Nauseating and sickly sentimental.

  “I would jump down Etna for any public good—but I hate a MAWKISH popularity.” – John Keats, English Romantic poet

  mean (MEEN), noun

  In arithmetic, the average value of a series of numbers, determined by taking the sum of a series and dividing by the number of items in the series.

  The MEAN of the Bakersfields’ fortune is nowhere near that of ours, but we tolerate the family anyway because several members are excellent golfers.

  meander (MEE-ahn-duhr), verb

  To wander aimlessly.

  We fired that particular servant because he MEANDERED far too slowly from task to task.

  median (MEE-dee-en), noun

  In arithmetic, the middle number in a series of numbers arranged in order from smallest to largest.

  When philanthropists Brock, Cliff, and Edward were honored at a luncheon, Cliff was called upon to speak second as his donation was the MEDIAN of the three.

  melanin (MEL-uh-nin), noun

  The pigment that determines the color of one’s hair, eyes, and skin.

  Tamara is unwilling to accept that, no matter how much time she spends on the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean, she will not achieve her desired tan due to her lack of MELANIN.

  melee (MAY-lay), noun

  A confused struggle involving many people.

  “The man who is in the MELEE knows what blows are being struck and what blood is being drawn.” – Woodrow Wilson