Transcript Lesson 4: Words from Other Languages

Lesson 4: Words from Other
Languages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
berserk
jubilee
juggernaut
kowtow
maelstrom
6. mecca
7. nabob
8. saga
9. shibboleth
10. trek
1. berserk
a.
b.
(adj)
Destructively violent.
Deranged; insane. (from the Old Norse
meaning a warrior who fought with fury).
Ex: Suddenly the prisoner broke away from
his captors and attacked them in a
berserk fashion.
2. jubilee
a.
b.
c.
(noun)
A season or occasion of joyful celebration.
Jubilation; rejoicing.
A special anniversary, especially a fiftieth
anniversary.
(From the Hebrew word yobhel, a year of restoration of
property and freeing of slaves observed every 50 years
by the ancient Hebrews).
Ex: The museum is planning a month long jubilee to
celebrate the completion of the new wing.
3. juggernaut
(noun)
An overwhelming and irresistible force or
movement.
b. Something, such as a belief or
institution, that elicits blind and
destructive devotion.
(From the Hindi meaning “lord of the
world”).
Ex: The juggernaut of the barbarian
invasion destroyed every civilization in its
path.
a.
4. kowtow
a.
b.
(verb), (noun)
To show respect or submission; fawn.
An act or gesture of exagerrated respect
or obedience.
(Chinese for bowing the forehead to the
floor in respect).
Ex: Employees of Edison National Bank must
kowtow to the bank president if they
expect to be promoted.
5. maelstrom
(noun)
A whirlpool of extraordinary size or
violence.
b. A situation that resembles a whirlpool in
the violence or turbulence of feelings,
ideas, or conditions.
(From the Dutch)
a.
Ex: Caught in the maelstrom, the sailboat
was inundated by eight foot waves.
6. mecca
a.
b.
c.
(noun)
A place regarded as the center of an activity or
interest.
A place visited by many people.
A goal to which the followers of a religious
faith or practice aspire.
(From the Arabian city Mecca).
Ex: The vital, creative atmosphere of NY city has
made it a mecca for actors, artists, and
musicians.
7. nabob
a.
(noun)
A person of great wealth and
prominence.
(From the Arabic word nawwab, meaning “a
deputy governor”).
Ex: The imperious nabob always demanded
special treatment.
8. saga
a.
b.
c.
(noun)
A prose narrative story.
A long detaield report.
A prose narrative story from the 12th and
13th centuries recounting historical and
legendary events and exploits in Iceland
or Norway.
Ex: The saga of the Alamo is both tragic
and heroic.
9. shibboleth
(noun)
A slogan or often repeated word or
phrase.
b. A common saying or idea.
c. A language usage that distinguishes the
members of one group or class from
another.
(From the Hebrew).
a.
Ex: “Any child can grow up to be president”
is an example of a shibboleth.
10. trek
a.
b.
c.
(verb), (noun)
To make a slow or difficult journey.
A journey or leg of a journey, especially
when it is slow or difficult.
A migration.
(From the Dutch meaning to “travel”).
Ex: Pioneers of the 1800s, often endured
hunger, cold, and danger as they trekked
across the frontier.