Vaughan's Vocab

The Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi graciously invited my wife and me to an October 20 luncheon at the Student Media Center. Sarah Frazier, Vice President of CBS Radio, spoke to a group of us, mostly broadcast journalism students.

It was great to meet young people who enjoy being on the air at WUMS, 92.1 FM (Rebel Radio). The event took place in the Student Media Center in Bishop Hall. Aside from the radio station, News Watch 12 and The Daily Mississippian (the DM) are in the Student Media Center of Bishop Hall.

In the afterglow of all the Ole Miss hospitality is this week’s word quiz. See how well you do.

[1.] keynote (KEY-note)

A. the main idea or central principle of a speech,

program, thought, or action

B. a type of forum

C. a journalistic concept of promulgating truth D. None of the above

[2.] quixotic (quick-SOT-ic)

A. extremely chivalrous or romantic; visionary; impractical B. impulsive and often rashly unpredictable

C. resembling or befitting Don Quixote

D. All of the above

E. None of the above

No. 1, keynote, is A. The keynote of Sarah Frazier’s presentation was that radio is a dynamic and useful form of media.

No. 2, quixotic, is D. This adjective came from Don Quixote, an impractical character in Miguel de Cervantes’s novel. Thanks to Dictionary.com for the definitions to the above.

[3.] laconic (lah-CON-ic]

A. saying much in a few words, concise B. feverish

C. having a cheerful disposition

D. widely recognized and well established

[4.] If something is spoken rather than written, it is A. quixotical (quick-SOT-i-cul).

B. nuncupative (NUHNG-cue-pay-tiv).

C. laconic (lah-CON-ic).

D. vers de societe (ver-dah-so-SEE-uh-tay).

E. an oeuvre (OH-vra).

[5.] If one is fully informed, she/he is A. au courant (oh-ku-RAHN). B. misanthropic (mis-an-THROP-ic). C. ostensible (ah-STEN-suh-bul). D. stentorian (sten-TOR-ee-in). E. recherché (ruh-CHER-shay).

No. 3, laconic, is A. She gave a laconic reply to his lengthy, complex question.

If something is spoken rather than written, it is nuncupative.

No. 5 is A. In our radio daytime drama Hope for Tomorrow, Sally seems to be the most au courant of Marvey’s citizens.