Weird Word Wednesday: Circumlocution / myLot

United States

November 9, 2022 7:46pm CST

I had never heard of this word until today. Have you? The midterm elections happened yesterday, November 7th, here in the US. Politicians are often accused of talking all the way around a question or issue, without giving a straight answer. So I think 'circumlocution' is a timely word right now. The word seems too long and clumsy to me. I'd rather just say that a speaker is long-winded and evasive, or even loquacious!

What is your opinion of circumlocution?

7 people like this

7 responses

Anna

@LadyDuck (458233)

• Switzerland

10 Nov 22

Another word that comes from Latin and we regularly use in Italian, circonlocuzione .

2 people like this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

10 Nov 22

Thank you @LadyDuck. I always look forward to reading your comments about my "weird words". Your knowledge of Latin, Italian and word origins is always interesting.

2 people like this

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325818)

• Rockingham, Australia

10 Nov 22

Circumlocution isn't a new word for me and I can get my tongue around it much more easily than I can loquacious.

It's good we're all different, isn't it?

2 people like this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

11 Nov 22

Yes @JudyEv, differences make our communication and friendships more convivial!

2 people like this

Pitstop

@pitstop (13054)

• India

10 Nov 22

I've heard the word being used and could never spell it right. Too many consonant sounds. It's a bit of a tonge twister for me, so I'll avoid it .... Or circumlocute around it.

2 people like this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

10 Nov 22

Very clever @pitstop! Thank you.

2 people like this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (86769)

• United States

25 Nov 22

I had never heard this one no. I always used to believe I was knowledgeable about words and so on. But now I am finding the ones you post are not in my sphere of knowledge. I know many people who talk in circles yes.

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

25 Nov 22

Thanks a lot @RebeccasFarm. I'm a self-proclaimed word nerd. I receive emails from Merriam-Webster's site. They include "Word of the Day" and many other interesting word trivia. I get a lot of ideas there for Weird Word Wednesdays.

1 person likes this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (86769)

• United States

25 Nov 22

@BloggerDi Hope all is well for you and family Diana

1 person likes this

Judy Story

@jstory07 (134465)

• Roseburg, Oregon

10 Nov 22

Nice word that I would never have a need to use.

2 people like this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

10 Nov 22

Thanks @jstory07. Same here!

1 person likes this

Gloria Faye Brown Bates

@GrannyGee (3517)

• Louisburg, North Carolina

25 Nov 22

I really like my attention drawn to an unfamiliar word! Now, I not only know the meaning, I know how to spell it. Thank you! I love words ... I think people who write ... love words.

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

25 Nov 22

So glad you enjoyed my post @GrannyGee! Thank you for your kind words.

popciclecold

@popciclecold (35102)

• United States

10 Nov 22

Never heard it before.

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

10 Nov 22

Thanks @popciclecold.

1 person likes this