The Potato that Strangled Idaho

People who are about the sight of blood or in horror from most forms of

violence would do well to avoid some of the movies now being shown at their local cinemas.

Producers have learned that films that scare the patrons out of their seats, ironically, put

millions of fans into those seats, keeping them in the goose pimple-inducing

spectacles that flash across the screen.

Of course, each movie carries with it a rating that indicates its suitability for certain age

groups, either because of its subject matter, language, presentation, or level of violence.

Pictures with a “G” rating are approved for all audiences, while, at the other end of the scale,

those that are given an “X” rating are for adults only with no children allowed under any

circumstance. Getting an “R” rating indicates that the movie is restricted (no one under 18

admitted without an adult) but some Hollywood moguls consider the “R” to be the magnet that

insures box office success. And we can be sure that as long as shock films ring up a merry

tune on the cash registers, producers will not from making them.

A director who specializes in making gory films involving monsters, vampires, and brutal

serial killers boasted in a college lecture that his work was in good taste. One student who

disasgreed was provoked to that in his opinion the diet of “shock-schlock” movies

was in worse taste than those pictures that contained vulgar language and nudity. “At least

they’re honest,” he declared.

N EW W ORDS

Poignant

poi´ nyənt

Inundate

in´ un dāt

Fruitless

früt´ lis

Garbled

gär´ bəld

Sanguine

sang´ gwən

W EEK 11 D AY 1

THE SEARCH FOR THE DOG (CONTINUED)

Meanwhile, the Harts had notified the local radio stations to broadcast a poignant appeal for

the dog’s owner to come forward. The station was inundated with phone calls but all leads

were fruitless. From what Bobby had told them, a huge dog had leaped out from a red station

wagon in the supermarket’s parking lot. After biting Bobby it vanished. The six-year-old was

too concerned with the bites he had received to see where the dog disappeared to. The boy’s

story was garbled, but he did remember that the animal was gray and had a collar. There was

little tangible* evidence to go on, but the police remained sanguine.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. The sermon was ________________ enough to bring tears to the brash* delinquent’s

eyes.

2. Although the message was ________________, its salient* points were clear enough.

3. After a ________________ attempt to wrest* control of the government, the traitors

were incarcerated.

4. Even though his boat was almost ________________, the skipper was loath* to radio

for help.

5. Because the malignancy* had gone unchecked, the surgeons were not

________________ about the patient’s chances.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. inundate a. useless

7. fruitless b. confused, mixed up

8. poignant c. optimistic

9. garbled d. to flood

10. sanguine e. moving, painful to the feelings

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to feather one’s nest —grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances

While working as the tax collector, he adroitly* feathered his own nest.

N EW W ORDS

Phlegmatic

fleg mat´ ik

Corroborate

kə rob´ ə rāt

Comprehensive

kom´ pri hen´ siv

Zealous

zel´ əs

Coerce

kō ėrs´

W EEK 11 D AY 2

NO RELIEF

The normally phlegmatic Jerry Hart was deeply upset. Twenty-four hours had passed without

result, and even if the rabies could not be corroborated, Jerry was determined to see that his

son received the vaccine. At the suggestion of some friends, he organized a comprehensive

search party, zealously fanning out in circles around the supermarket. They knocked on every

door, inspected every dog, and came back empty-handed. Although the Harts were sick with

worry (they had to be coerced into going to sleep), little Bobby seemed to be in great spirits.

The excruciating* vigil continued.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. Harriet’s egregious* error disturbed even her ________________ employer.

2. The fund raiser was so ________________ that he solicited* money from a Salvation

Army Santa Claus.

3. In order to get the job, you had to go through the drudgery* of filling out a ten-page

________________ questionnaire.

4. The elusive* fugitive was ________________ by his attorney into surrendering.

5. Even the swindler ’s nefarious* accomplice refused to ________________ his alibi.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. phlegmatic a. enthusiastic

7. corroborate b. calm, hard to rouse to action

8. comprehensive c. confirm, support

9. zealous d. thorough

10. coerce e. to force

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

fair-weather friends —unreliable, they fail one in time of distress

The general was chagrined* to learn that so many of his supposed supporters were

actually fair-weather friends.

N EW W ORDS

Elapse

i laps´

Meticulous

mə tik´ yə ləs

Domicile

dom´ ə sīl

Lax

laks

Sporadic

spə rad´ ik

W EEK 11 D AY 3

THE POLICE FIND THE DOG

Forty hours had elapsed before the police work and the publicity paid off. By meticulously

checking the registrations of every red station wagon in the neighborhood and then crosschecking

dog licenses, the police narrowed the search to four owners. After a few telephone

calls, the apologetic owner was located and directed to bring her muzzled German shepherd

to the Hart domicile. Bobby identified the dog, and the animal was taken to a veterinary’s

clinic to have the necessary tests performed. The lax owner, Mrs. McGraw, admitted that the

dog had a sporadic mean streak, but she scoffed* at the idea of rabies. Jerry Hart noticed for

the first time in two days that his uneasy feeling had departed.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. Inadvertently,* Emma had allowed two months to ________________ before paying

her rent.

2. The lackluster* battle was punctuated by ________________ mortar fire.

3. A man’s ________________ is his castle.

4. Because the watchman was ________________, thievery was rampant* at the

warehouse.

5. The ________________ musician had nothing but disdain* for his disorganized

friends.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. elapse a. careless, negligent

7. meticulous b. to slip by

8. domicile c. occasional

9. lax d. home

10. sporadic e. careful

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to sow one’s wild oats —to lead a wild, carefree life

During his teen years, the millionaire avidly* sowed his wild oats.

N EW W ORDS

Rash

rash

Conjecture

kən jek´ chər

Obviate

ob´ vē āt

Lurid

l r´ id

Quip

kwip

W EEK 11 D AY 4

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

The Harts were greatly relieved to learn that the rash conjecture about the dog was not true.

Because the German shepherd was not rabid, the necessity for the painful treatment was

obviated. The police gave the dog’s owner a summons for allowing the animal to go

unmuzzled. Little Bobby was treated to an ice cream sundae and a Walt Disney double feature.

The neighbors searched for other lurid happenings, and Jerry Hart went back to his office.

“What kind of dog was that?” his secretary asked. “Oh, his bark was worse than his bite,”

quipped Jerry.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. It was sheer ________________ on the detective’s part but it led to the arrest of the

vexatious* counterfeiters.

2. The newspaper switched from mundane* coverage to ________________ reporting.

3. It was exceedingly ________________ of the lightweight to insult the belligerent*

longshoreman.

4. The necessity for preparing sandwiches was ________________ when the picnic was

postponed.

5. Hamlet remembered that Yorick was always ready with a lusty ________________.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

6. rash (adj.) a. do away with, eliminate

7. conjecture b. joke

8. obviate c. guess

9. lurid d. sensational

10. quip e. too hasty, reckless

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

windfall —unexpected financial gain

When the bankrupt company struck oil, the surprised investor received a windfall of

$20,000.

W EEK 11 D AY 5

REVIEW

Many teachers have jested about their students who confused rabies with rabbis, Jewish

clergymen. We know that those who get the message of this book, true vocabulary mastery,

will make few such errors.

Match the twenty words with their meanings. *Reminder: Record answers on a sheet of paper.

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. coerce a. to flood, to swamp

2. comprehensive b. home

3. conjecture c. painful to the feelings, moving

4. corroborate d. useless

5. domicile e. reckless

6. elapse f. confirm

7. fruitless g. calm, sluggish

8. garbled h. sensational

9. inundate i. hopeful

10. lax j. do away with

11. lurid k. confused, mixed up

12. meticulous l. guess

13. obviate m. to pass by

14. phlegmatic n. careless

15. poignant o. occasional

16. quip p. thorough

17. rash q. careful

18. sanguine r. to force

19. sporadic s. enthusiastic

20. zealous t. to joke

IDIOMS

21. to feather one’s nest u. to lead a wild life

22. fair-weather friends v. unexpected financial gain

23. to sow wild oats w. unreliable acquaintances

24. windfall x. provide for oneself at the expense of others

Make a record of those words you missed. If you were able to get them all right, think of

antonyms for numbers 7, 8, 10, 17, and 19.

*For reference only

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

WORDSEARCH 11

Using the clues listed below, record separately using one of the new words you learned this

week for each blank in the following story.

Clues

1st Day

3rd Day

1st Day

2nd Day

1st Day

Assuming Blunders

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for Richard

Sands.”

“Deliver us from evil. Lead us not into Penn Station.”

Teachers who train students to memorize and then do rote recitations sometimes find that the

youngsters have a interpretation of the actual words. Eliza Berman, an educator who

is about her own use of language, invited colleagues to send her examples of

confusion in students’ writings. Little did she realize that they would quickly her

letterbox with their pet mistakes. As a result, Ms. Berman was able to compile a fairly

list of howlers that include the following:

“The inhabitants of ancient Egypt were called Mummies. They lived in the Sarah Dessert and

traveled by Camelot.”

“Homer wrote The Oddity in which Penelope was the first hardship Ulysses endured on his

journey.”

“Socrates died from an overdose of wedlock.”

“King Alfred conquered the Dames.”

“Indian squabs carried porpoises on their backs.”

“Under the Constitution, the people enjoy the right to keep bare arms.”

“In the Olympic Games, the Greeks ran, jumped, hurled the bisquits and threw the java.”

“Lincoln was America’s greatest Precedent.”

Ms. Berman is not too about eliminating such errors from pupils’ compositions and

test papers. Her advice: enjoy!

N EW W ORDS

Diatribe

dī´ ə trīb

Inhibition

in´ ə bish´ ən or

in´ hi bish´ ən

Fortuitous

fô tü´ ə təs

Incoherent

in´ kō hir´ ənt

Ilk

ilk

W EEK 12 D AY 1

OFF BROADWAY

When Monte Ziltch told his boss, Mr. Foy, that he was quitting as an accountant to become an

actor, the man was convulsed with laughter. After Mr. Foy realized that Monte was obsessed*

with the idea, he became quite serious, launching into a diatribe on the importance of

responsibility in the younger generation. Monte confessed that he had been developing ulcers

as an accountant, and when his psychiatrist suggested that the sickness was a result of

inhibitions, Monte agreed. Now a fortuitous opportunity to get into show business required

Monte to make an immediate decision. Mr. Foy stormed out of the office, muttering

incoherently about hippies, beatniks, and others of that ilk.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. When a large expenditure is imminent,* my father goes into a long ________________

on the need for economy.

2. It is often fruitless* to argue with racists, bigots*, and others of that

________________.

3. Since the patient’s speech was garbled* and ________________, we could only

conjecture* as to his message.

4. The meeting was a ________________ one, but the jealous husband construed* it as

pre-arranged and clandestine.*

5. After two drinks the usually phlegmatic* dentist lost all his ________________.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. diatribe a. kind, sort

7. inhibition b. disjointed

8. fortuitous c. accidental

9. incoherent d. bitter criticism

10. ilk e. restraint

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve —to make one’s feelings evident

People who wear their hearts on their sleeves frequently suffer emotional upsets.

N EW W ORDS

Prestigious

pre stij´ əs

Placard

plak´ ärd

Integral

in´ tə grəl

Remuneration

ri myü´ nə rā´ shən

Nominal

nom´ ə nəl

W EEK 12 D AY 2

AN ALL-ROUND MAN

The need for a decision came about when Monte was invited to join a prestigious summer

stock company, starting in mid-June. As a mature “apprentice,” he would be required to take

tickets, paint scenery, prepare placards, assist with lighting, costumes, and props, and carry an

occasional spear in a walk-on role. Since the company would stage five major plays during

the summer, as well as a half-dozen shows for children, there was a chance that Monte might

actually get a part before too many weeks had elapsed.* In addition, he would be attending the

drama classes that were an integral part of the summer theater. The remuneration would be

nominal but at last Monte Ziltch would be fulfilling a life-long ambition.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. The police posted a ________________ asking all citizens to desist* from looting.

2. A salient* feature of the ________________ company’s success was its fair treatment

of employees.

3. Derek Jeter ’s ________________ from the New York Yankees made him a millionaire

many times over.

4. For allowing his ferocious mastiff* to appear on a commercial, the trainer was paid a

________________ sum.

5. She seemed to be an unimportant member of the president’s entourage* but actually she

played an ________________ role in White House affairs.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. prestigious a. essential

7. placard b. poster

8. integral c. slight

9. remuneration d. reward, pay

10. nominal e. illustrious

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to wash dirty linen in public —to openly discuss private affairs

“Let’s talk about it privately,” his uncle said,

“rather than wash our dirty linen in public. ”

N EW W ORDS

Expunge

ek spunj´

Flamboyant

flam boi´ ənt

Anathema

ə nath´ ə mə

Schism

siz´ əm

Utopia

yü tō´ pē ə

W EEK 12 D AY 3

FROM LEDGERS TO SCRIPTS

During the first weeks of the summer, Monte Ziltch didn’t even have time to consider whether

he had made an egregious* mistake. He was too engrossed* with his work, performing a

thousand and one odd jobs around the theater. First there was the opening production of A

Chorus Line, then two weeks of The Fantasticks, followed by a poignant* Diary of Anne

Frank, which did excellent business. All through those weeks, Monte painted, carried, nailed,

collected, ran, studied, and perspired. He had expunged all traces of debits and credits from

his mind, burying himself in the more flamboyant world of the theater. Accounting became

anathema to him as the schism between his present utopia and his former drudgery* widened.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. In Lost Horizon a character recoiled* at the idea of living in a ________________.

2. A pernicious* ________________ developed between the two sisters.

3. The traitor ’s name was ________________ in his father ’s domicile.*

4. Our theatrical pages were inundated* with press releases from the ________________

producer.

5. After having made the rash* statements, the senator wished that he could

________________ them from the record.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. expunge a. split

7. flamboyant b. something greatly detested

8. anathema c. place of perfection

9. schism d. erase

10. utopia e. showy, colorful

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to save face —to avoid disgrace

Instead of firing the corrupt executive, they allowed him to retire in order that he might

save face.

N EW W ORDS

Timorous

tim´ ər əs

Truncated

trung´ kā tid

Jaunty

jôn´ tē

Fractious

frak´ shəs

Ostentatious

os´ ten tā´ shəs

W EEK 12 D AY 4

IRONY FOR MERRYWEATHER

At last, Monte’s chance to perform came. He had played the timorous Lion in a truncated

version of “The Wizard of Oz,” which the apprentices had staged. But now there was an open

audition to cast the final show of the season. It was to be a jaunty original comedy, given a

summer tryout prior to a Broadway opening. Monte, who by now had adopted the stage name

of Monte Merryweather, read for the producers, hoping to get the part of the hero’s fractious

landlord. Unfortunately, the competition was too rough—but the director assigned Monte to a

less ostentatious part. And so for the first two weeks in September the stage-struck accountant

had a two-minute, two-line part. What was his role? The hero’s accountant!

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. It is frustrating* to have one’s lengthy remarks printed in ________________ form.

2. With his cap set at a ________________ angle, the amicable* sailor strutted down the

street.

3. In an ________________ display of histrionics* the star refused to perform.

4. Under duress* the normally ________________ husband was coerced* into demanding

a raise.

5. Roger ’s ________________ behavior compounded* the bad relationship he had

already had with his partner.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. timorous a. fearful

7. truncated b. cut short

8. jaunty c. sprightly, gay

9. fractious d. showy

10. ostentatious e. quarrelsome

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

Indian summer —warm autumn weather

Parts of the country were deep in snow, but the East was enjoying an Indian summer.

W EEK 12 D AY 5

REVIEW

How many of the new words have now become a part of your “working vocabulary”? At first,

their use may be conscious, even studied. However, the squeaks will soon disappear. Try a few

this weekend.

Match the twenty words with their meanings. *Reminder: Record answers on a sheet of paper.

(Note the resemblance between flamboyant and ostentatious).

REVIEW WORDS DEFINITIONS

1. anathema a. well-known

2. diatribe b. quarrelsome

3. expunge c. kind, sort

4. flamboyant d. poster

5. fortuitous e. disjointed

6. fractious f. sprightly

7. ilk g. accidental

8. incoherent h. in name only, slight

9. inhibition i. restraint

10. integral j. reward

11. jaunty k. a curse

12. nominal l. bitter criticism

13. ostentatious m. erase

14. placard n. colorful

15. prestigious o. cut short

16. remuneration p. essential

17. schism q. fearful

18. timorous r. showy

19. truncated s. split

20. utopia t. place of perfection

IDIOMS

21. wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve u. make one’s feelings evident

22. wash dirty linen in public v. warm autumn weather

23. save face w. to avoid disgrace

24. Indian summer x. openly discuss private affairs

Make a record of those words you missed.

*For reference only

WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY MEANINGS

1. _________________________ _________________________

2. _________________________ _________________________

3. _________________________ _________________________

SENSIBLE SENTENCES?

(From Week 12)

Choose the word that makes sense in each of the sentences below.

1. The senator went into a lengthy (diatribe, remuneration) about government waste in the

military budget.

2. Most reformers are seeking to create a (schism, utopia).

3. Lorraine was criticized sharply for the (ostentatious, nominal) way in which she

furnished her apartment.

4. Anyone so (ilk, timorous) should not have been selected to guard the castle.

5. My brother was promoted to a (prestigious, flamboyant) job in his company.

6. Although his speech was (anathema, jaunty) we were able to sense its underlying

seriousness.

7. The failing grade was (expunged, truncated) from her record when she submitted the

excellent term paper.

8. I got my job as a result of a (fractious, fortuitous) meeting with the director of

personnel.

9. The bookkeeper is such an (integral, incoherent) part of our organization that we pay

her a very high salary.

10. We marched in front of the embassy with (placards, inhibitions) held high.

11. Don’t (save face, wash your dirty linen in public) if you plan to run for office.

WORDSEARCH 12

Using the clues listed below, record separately using one of the new words you learned this

week for each blank in the following story.

Clues

2nd Day

3rd Day

1st Day

1st Day

2nd Day

Regis, Oprah, Ellen, et al.

The television talk shows of our era, featuring such public figures as Regis Philbin,

Oprah Winfrey, and Ellen De Generes, attract millions of daytime viewers and constitute a

powerful influence on the American scene. When the media can hold the attention of so

sizable a chunk of couch potatoes, it pays to scrutinize it closely.

A student at Stanford University, doing her doctoral thesis on the unusual popularity of the

afternoon talk shows, noted the fierce competition among those programs for guests who are

off the beaten track. According to her:

“Almost every irregular, life-style you can think of has already been featured on

one of the shows and probably on all of them, when you add Montel Williams, Jerry Springer,

and others of that who serve as network hosts. They have shown teenagers who

marry people in their sixties, daughters and mothers who date the same man, men who have

gone through a marriage ceremony with other men, women with prominent tattoos, and other

people who are totally free of.”

“ for our guests is so small,” said a producer, “that these shows are inexpensive to

put on. And say what you want about good taste, millions watch us every day, and as long as

the ratings are that healthy, sponsors will pay good money to be identified with us.”

N EW W ORDS

Importune

im´ pôr tün´

Incontrovertible

in´ kon trə vėr´ tə bəl

Surreptitious

s r´ əp tish´ əs

Haven

hā´ vən

Subjugate

sub´ jə gāt

W EEK 13 D AY 1

A VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT

In the winter of 1941, Enrico Fermi and a number of other distinguished scientists importuned

President Franklin Roosevelt for authorization to begin an all-out effort in atomic energy

research. The scientists were alarmed by incontrovertible evidence of surreptitious German

experiments, and they asked for speedy approval. Italian-born Enrico Fermi was the ideal man

to lead the atomic research. Already in 1938 he had won the Nobel Prize for work with

radioactive elements and neutron bombardment. Fermi had found a haven from the Fascists

(his wife was Jewish) and he knew that if the Germans were the first to develop an atomic

bomb it would mean that Hitler could subjugate the entire world. The international race for

atomic supremacy was on.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. Although Eddie was not sanguine* about his chances, he continued to

________________ his boss for a winter vacation.

2. In inclement* weather our barn is a ________________ for many animals.

3. The dictator used duplicity* in order to ________________ his rivals.

4. With a ________________ movement, the meticulous* bookkeeper emptied the ash

tray.

5. The expert’s ________________ testimony corroborated* the police report.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

6. importune a. undeniable

7. incontrovertible b. ask urgently

8. surreptitious c. conquer

9. haven d. place of safety

10. subjugate e. stealthy, accomplished by secret

T ODAY ’ S I DIOM

to take the bull by the horns —to face a problem directly

After several days of delay, the minister decided to take the bull by the horns, and so he

sent for the vandals.

N EW W ORDS

Ultimate

ul´ tə mit

Eventuate

i ven´ chü āt

Emit

i mit´

Subterranean

sub´ tə rā´ nē ən

Viable

vī´ ə bəl

W EEK 13 D AY 2