So, a funny thing happened to me today: I took a Con Law final.
It's one of those things that's not really "funny" as in "giggle, giggle, my tummy hurts from giggles" but more like "Sick! what's that funny smell?" or "Ew, my persistafriend is giving me a funny look." THAT kind of funny. But seriously, the word choice was out of control, including a question phrased:
"The president's power is at its nadir when..."
Thoughts that went through my mind?
1. Is he making a Ralph Nadar joke?
2. What does it mean about me, that I'm immediately thinking "gay-dar"?
3. I'm going to go with my gut here and say it means lowest point, since nil, nada and nothing all start with 'N' and so does nadir, and he means lowest.
Of course, post-funny-test, I scurry back to dictionary.com where I discover the following:
nadir–noun
1. Astronomy. the point on the celestial sphere directly beneath a given position or observer and diametrically opposite the zenith.
2. Astrology. the point of a horoscope opposite the midheaven: the cusp of the fourth house.
3. the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair.
Opposite of a ZENITH? And, how did he know we are full of despair?? And, WHY CAN'T PEOPLE USE NORMAL WORDS?
3 comments:
This is my GRE-mony: "Nadir" is on the list of top words to study for the GRE. I guess people really do use GRE words. he he he...anyway, con law sounds like a pain.
Excellent work, English minor Gurr.
I give you a gold star (at its zenith).
GRE-money notwithstanding, my opinion is that if the meaning that you are trying to convey is the third one listed by the dictionary, perhaps you should use a different word. i feel like the goal in writing is usually not to confuse and intimidate ... but then again, i had no idea what that word meant and might just be bitter.
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