Sesquipedalian Words
Sesquipedalia Verba or
Sesquipedalians in Action
Etymologically, this word comes from Latin sesquipedalis; literally, a foot
and a half long, from sesqui- + ped-, pes, foot. Date of origin in
English is believed to be from 1656.
1. Having many syllables, long; as in “sesquipedalian terms”. 2. Given
to or characterized by the use of long words; “a sesquipedalian political statement”.
3. Long and ponderous; polysyllabic. 4. Measuring or containing a foot and a half;
as, a sesquipedalian pygmy; sometimes humorously applied to long words (as in the
“Verba Obscura” shown below). 5. Given to the overuse of long words;
as with “sesquipedalian political orators”.
See if you can determine the meanings of the following sesquipedialian
“common proverbs” or sayings before you click on the solutions.
- A lithoid form, whose onward course
Is shaped by gravitational force,
Can scarce enjoy the consolation
Of bryophytic aggregation.—Hubert Phillips
Translation for Verba Obscura #1 may be found by going to Translation #1. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Of little value his compunctions
Who assumes clavinous functions
When once from circumambient pen,
Is snatched its equine denizen.—Hubert Phillips (with slight revisions)
Translation for Verba Obscura #2 may be found by going to Translation #2. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- It’s possible to conduct an equine quadruped to the immediate vicinity of
an aqueous liquid,but bibulation cannot be induced by any coercive process.
—Anonymous
Translation for Verba Obscura #3 may be found by going to Translation #3. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Subterranean entry port.—Anonymous
Translation for Verba Obscura #4 may be found by going to Translation #4. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- A mass of concentrated geolithic or lapitarial material perennially rotating
on its axis will not accumulate an accretion of muscus growth.—A slightly revised rendition of Mr. Aaron Sussman’s obtuse
version of a common proverb as seen in Bennett Cerf’s column in This Week Magazine,
February 13, 1955. Mr. Sussman wrote: “Are we a nation of dolts?” he inquired
angrily. “Must we reduce every thought to a single paragraph of one-syllable
words?”
Translation for Verba Obscura #5 may be found by going to Translation #5. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- A superabundance of talent skilled in the preparation of gastronomic concoctions
will impair the quality of a certain potable solution made by immersing a gallinaceous
bird in ebullient Adam’s ale.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #6 may be found by going to Translation #6. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Individuals who perforce are constrained to be domiciled in vitreous structures
of patent frangibilityshould on no account employ petrous formations as projectiles.
—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #7 may be found by going to Translation #7. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- That prudent avis that matutinally deserts the coziness of its abode will ensnare
a vermiculate creature.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #8 may be found by going to Translation #8. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Everything that coruscates with effulgence is not ipso facto aurous.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #9 may be found by going to Translation #9. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Do not dissipate your competence by hebetudinous prodigality lest you subsequently
lament an exiguous inadequacy.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #10 may be found by going to Translation #10. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- An addlepated beetlehead and his specie divaricate with startling prematurity.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #11 may be found by going to Translation #11. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- It can be no other than a maleficent horizontally propelled current of gaseous
matter whose portentous advent is not the harbinger of a modicum of beneficence.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #12 may be found by going to Translation #12. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- One should diligently exercise proper speculation upon that situs that one will
eventually tenant if one propels oneself into the aerosphere.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 [with minor revisions] (See
#5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #13 may be found by going to Translation #13. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Aberration is the hallmark of homo sapiens while longanimous placability and
condonation are the indicia of supramundane omniscience.—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above).
Translation for Verba Obscura #14 may be found by going to Translation #14. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- Conducting to the watering place
A quadruped of equine race
Is simple; but he may not care
To practice imbibition there.—Hubert Phillips
Translation for Verba Obscura #15 may be found by going to Translation #15. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- When, nimbus-free, Sol marches by
Across the circumambient sky,
To graminiferous meads repair—
Your instant task awaits you there!—Hubert Phillips
Translation for Verba Obscura #16 may be found by going to Translation #16. Use your browser’s “back” or “return”
button to return to this list.
- That unit of the avian tribe
Whose movements one can circumscribe
“In manu,” as a pair will rate
Subarboreally situate.—Hubert Phillips
Translation for Verba Obscura #17 may be found by going to Translation #17.
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Take me to part 2 of sesquipedalian