Definitions by LudwigVan

genius

1) A person of exceptional intellect and creativity. 2) A person with an IQ score of at least 140. 3) A special talent or skill, or someone with such an ability. 4) In Roman mythology, a spiritual being or tutelary deity that can have a strong influence over others, much like the jinni in Islamic folklore.

Maybe George W. Bush is secretly a genius, but he's only pretending to be an idiot.

genius by LudwigVan November 11, 2003

jinni 

In Islam, a spirit being, which can take human or animal form, with great powers of influence, a demon. Plural is jinn.

The jinni is the source of the genie in the story of Aladdin from Arabian Nights, and a female jinni (known as a jinniyah) appeared in an episode of X-Files.

jinni by LudwigVan November 11, 2003

orientalism 

Study of Asian or Eastern history, culture, and people, from a Western perspective.

Orientalism is historically an expression of the curiosity of an imperialistic mindset, though this is becoming less so.

orientalism by LudwigVan November 11, 2003

gooz 

Persian for "a fart", especially a loud one.

You try to hold it in all day, then you let out a massive gooz in your sleep.

gooz by LudwigVan November 10, 2003

iconoclast 

One who attacks traditional or popular instutitions: an anti-establishment person. Also someone who destroys or defaces religious images or objects.

In the 1960s, a whole generation of iconoclasts transformed American society in ways never imagined by her Founders.

iconoclast by LudwigVan November 10, 2003

knee-jerk 

A spontaneous, thoughless, predictable and stereotypical reaction to something, usually an opinion or a statement.

An entire culture of American neo-conservatives has seemed to build itself on a type of knee-jerk reaction to any kind of criticism of the Bush Administration or the loyal element of the Republican Party, even from fellow conservatives -- the kind of pseudo-patriotism discouraged by Theodore Roosevelt.

knee-jerk by LudwigVan November 10, 2003

shih tzu 

A breed of lap dog, originating in Tibet, with long, thick fur, short legs and nose, and curly tail.

How far she has gone, from the loud company of four sons, to the lonely bark of the shih tzu that remains the old woman's companion.

shih tzu by LudwigVan November 10, 2003