Summary: This week's word is vituperation. It's a noun that means "verbal abuse." Later this week, we'll explore ways you can talk back to someone who's vituperating you—without furthering the fight.
Vituperation (VIE - too - per - A - SHUN) - (n.) verbal abuse; sustained and bitter condemnation; railing, castigation, severe reprimanding. Etymology: From the fifteenth century Latin word vituperatio, meaning blame, censure, ritual verbal abuse.
Over the last couple of weeks, we've been using this blog to look at (among other things) the way our brains' cognitive functioning affects the way we communicate. When we're stressed, our thinking is impaired, and we undergo an inability to grasp the right words to say want we mean. We can also say whatever does come to mind in the wrong tone of voice; we can become vituperative.
Later this week, we'll look at ways you can respond to someone who's berating or vituperating you—ways you can talk back that actually end the cycle, rather than fuel the fighting fire. We'll also explore how you can put an end to vituperation if you, yourself, are the verbally abusive culprit.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
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Hopefully whoever is being vituperative towards you isn't making you develop nyctophobia through sleep-deprivation (leading to massive pandiculations and incessant hypnopompia :)
ReplyDeleteOh, but JABERWOCKY, how I love the way you speak! And thank you for your concern: Luckily, I am not afraid of the dark, nor am I yawning and stretching and waking up recurringly throughout the night. (Nor am I a victim of vituperation!) I hope the same for YOU. ;)
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