Sesquipedalian Words; Part One, Groups 1-17
Sesquipedalia Verba or Sesquipedalians in Action
Etymologically, from Latin sesquipedalis; literally, a foot and a half long, from sesqui- + ped-, pes, foot. Date of origin in English is believed to be from 1656.
- Having many syllables, long; as in “sesquipedalian
terms”.
- Given to or characterized by the use of long words; “a sesquipedalian political statement”.
- Long and ponderous; polysyllabic.
- Measuring or containing a foot and a half; as, a sesquipedalianpygmy; sometimes humorously applied to long words (as in the “Verba Obscura” shown below).
- Given to the overuse of long words; as with “sesquipedalian political orators”.
A reference to the use of long words; especially when verbal construction utilizing less amplification might represent a more naturally efficacious phraseology, so as a result, we get verba obscura.
"Nancy and Sluggo" comic strip created by Ernie Bushmiller (1905-1982),
March 5, 1962. Copyright by United Features Syndicate.
See if you can determine the meanings of the following sesquipedialian “common proverbs” or sayings before you click on the solutions.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #1
A lithoid form, whose onward course
Is shaped by gravitational force,
Can scarce enjoy the consolation
Of bryophytic aggregation.
—Hubert Phillips
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #2
Of little value his compunctions
Who assumes clavinous functions
When once from circumambient pen,
Is snatched its equine denizen.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #3
It’s possible to conduct an equine quadruped to the
immediate vicinity of an aqueous liquid, but bibulation cannot be
induced by any coercive process.
—Anonymous
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #4
Subterranean entry port.
—Anonymous
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #5
A mass of concentrated geolithic or lapitarial material
perennially rotating on its axis will not accumulate an accretion
of muscus growth.
A slightly revised rendition of Mr. Aaron Sussman’s
obtuse version of a common proverb as seen in Bennett
Cerf’s column in This Week Magazine, February 13,
1955. Mr. Sussman wrote: “Are we a nation of dolts? Must we
reduce every thought to a single paragraph of one-syllable
words?”
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #6
A superabundance of talent skilled in the preparation of
gastronomic concoctions will impair the quality of a certain
potable solution made by immersing a gallinaceous bird in
ebullient Adam’s ale.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #7
Individuals who perforce are constrained to be domiciled in
vitreous structures of patent frangibility should on no account
employ petrous formations as projectiles.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #8
That prudent avis that matutinally deserts the coziness of its
abode will ensnare a vermiculate creature.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #9
Everything that coruscates with effulgence is not ipso facto
aurous.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #10
Do not dissipate your competence by hebetudinous prodigality lest you subsequently lament an exiguous inadequacy.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura 11
An addlepated beetlehead and his specie divaricate with startling prematurity.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #12
It can be no other than a maleficent horizontally propelled current of gaseous matter whose portentous advent is not the harbinger of a modicum of beneficence.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #13
One should diligently exercise proper speculation upon that situs
that one will eventually tenant if one propels oneself into the
aerosphere.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #14
Aberration is the hallmark of homo sapiens while longanimous
placability and condonation are the indicia of supramundane
omniscience.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #15
Conducting to the watering place
A quadruped of equine race
Is simple; but he may not care
To practice imbibition there.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #16
When, nimbus-free, Sol marches by
Across the circumambient sky,
To graminiferous meads repair—
Your instant task awaits you there!.
Sesquipedalian Verba Obscura #17
That unit of the avian tribe
Whose movements one can circumscribe
“In manu,” as a pair will rate
Subarboreally situate.
 Sesquipedalians, Part 2
of 2, 18-34.
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