Definitions by Monkey's Dad
negated negation
A prefix which should, but does not, negate the word to which it is attached. While 'mobility' and 'immobility' are opposites, as are 'effective' and 'ineffective', the words 'passivity' and 'impassivity' mean the same thing, as do the words 'flammable' and 'inflammable'.
Tired of being described as passive, he decided to be more impassive. He'd be a man of action, or maybe even inaction. What difference could a negated negation make?
negated negation by Monkey's Dad July 25, 2023
no news is the truth
An ambiguous statement, meaning variously that all news is in some measure false, that an absence of received information on a given topic is meaningful, or that there is no greater reality than nothingness; take your pick, add your own.
"Has the jury reached a verdict yet?"
"They've been deliberating for months, and no news is the truth."
"They've been deliberating for months, and no news is the truth."
no news is the truth by Monkey's Dad July 16, 2023
mentia
The inverse of dementia. A state of mental incline rather than decline. Having not only all one's marbles but too many.
He could remember every almost word he had ever read, could recount conversations verbatim from several decades earlier, knew the names of minor characters, and the actors who had played them, in movies he had never seen. He could remember the name of a person he had met in passing many years ago, while some of his contemporaries searched for the names of their nearest and dearest. The diagnosis was direct: He was suffering from early onset mentia.
mentia by Monkey's Dad July 3, 2023
Nineteen-0-scuse me
"At the rate I'm going, I should get there by Nineteen-0-scuse me", she offered, on her way to California, pedaling her stationary bike for all she was worth.
Nineteen-0-scuse me by Monkey's Dad June 29, 2023
analyze, assess, address
Her doctors, associated practitioners, family and friends had so easily given up on her, accepting that she would have a lifetime of struggle and pain. He had other ideas, and began to analyze, assess, address the issues of her condition, constantly thinking, observing, trying. Day by day she improved, showing astonishing progress and they would take it all the way.
analyze, assess, address by Monkey's Dad June 23, 2023
simulalia
The act of two people uttering the identical word or phrase, in the exact tone and cadence, to convey the same thought, at precisely the same moment.
They were so close, their perceptions and observations were linked in such harmonious synchronicity, that many times a day they spoke in perfect unison, often to the amused astonishment of those listening. "We need a word for it" she suggested. And an instant later, they both said "simulalia".
simulalia by Monkey's Dad June 5, 2023
pharmatheology
An unquestioning faith in commercially-manufactured, doctor-prescribed and psychologically-addictive medication as the answer to every perceived or imagined problem.
He could not live without his many pills every day. One allowed him to sleep, another quelled his anxiety, a third lifted his depression, others liberated or inhibited his bodily functions, lowered his cholesterol, regulated his heartbeat, soothed his aches, sharpened his vision, slowed his cognitive decline, boosted his testosterone, lowered his blood pressure, increased his immunity, banished unwelcome thoughts, made him feel normal. They interacted to grant him life - so he had been instructed by those selling them, and so he faithfully accepted, a devout disciple of pharmatheology.
pharmatheology by Monkey's Dad June 5, 2023