Sesquipedalian Words; Part One, 1-17

Sesquipedalia Verba or Sesquipedalians in Action

Etymologically, 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”.

A reference to the use of long words; especially when verbal construction utilizing less amplification might represent a more naturally efficacious phraseology, so as a result, we get verba obscura.

—"Nancy and Sluggo" comic strip created by Ernie Bushmiller (1905-1982),

March 5, 1962. Copyright by United Features Syndicate.

See if you can determine the meanings of the following sesquipedialian “common proverbs” or sayings before you look at the solutions.

Verba Obscura #1



Is shaped by gravitational force,

Can scarce enjoy the consolation

Of bryophytic aggregation. —Hubert Phillips A lithoid form, whose onward courseIs shaped by gravitational force,Can scarce enjoy the consolationOf bryophytic aggregation. A rolling stone gathers no moss.



Verba Obscura #2



Who assumes clavinous functions

When once from circumambient pen,

Is snatched its equine denizen.

—Hubert Phillips (with slight revisions) Of little value his compunctionsWho assumes clavinous functionsWhen once from circumambient pen,Is snatched its equine denizen. It doesn’t do much good to lock the barn door after the horse is stolen.

Don’t lock the barn door after the horse is stolen.



Verba Obscura #3

—Anonymous 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.

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.



Verba Obscura #4

—Anonymous Subterranean entry port.

Manhole cover (on a street).



Verba Obscura #5







—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. A mass of concentrated geolithic or lapitarial material perennially rotating on its axis will not accumulate an accretion of muscus growth.

A rolling stone gathers no moss. 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?"



Verba Obscura #6

—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). 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.

Too many cooks can spoil the broth.



Verba Obscura #7

—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). Individuals who perforce are constrained to be domiciled in vitreous structures of patent frangibility should on no account employ petrous formations as projectiles.

People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.



Verba Obscura #8

—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). That prudent avis that matutinally deserts the coziness of its abode will ensnare a vermiculate creature.

The early bird catches the worm.



Verba Obscura #9



—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). Everything that coruscates with effulgence is not ipso facto aurous.

All that glitters is not gold.



Verba Obscura #10

—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). Do not dissipate your competence by hebetudinous prodigality lest you subsequently lament an exiguous inadequacy.

Waste not, want not.



Verba Obscura 11





—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). An addlepated beetlehead and his specie divaricate with startling prematurity.

A fool and his money are soon parted.



Verba Obscura #12



—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). 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.

It’s an ill wind that blows no man good.



Verba Obscura #13



—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 [with minor revisions] (See #5 above). One should diligently exercise proper speculation upon that situs that one will eventually tenant if one propels oneself into the aerosphere.

Look before you leap.



Verba Obscura #14

—Written by Mr. Aaron Sussman, 1955 (See #5 above). Aberration is the hallmark of homo sapiens while longanimous placability and condonation are the indicia of supramundane omniscience.

To err is human, to forgive divine.



Verba Obscura #15





A quadruped of equine race

Is simple; but he may not care

To practice imbibition there. —Hubert Phillips Conducting to the watering placeA quadruped of equine raceIs simple; but he may not careTo practice imbibition there.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.



Verba Obscura #16



Across the circumambient sky,

To graminiferous meads repair—

Your instant task awaits you there!. —Hubert Phillips When, nimbus-free, Sol marches byAcross the circumambient sky,To graminiferous meads repair—Your instant task awaits you there!.

Make hay while the sun shines.



Verba Obscura #17

Whose movements one can circumscribe

“In manu,” as a pair will rate

Subarboreally situate. —Hubert Phillips That unit of the avian tribeWhose movements one can circumscribe“In manu,” as a pair will rateSubarboreally situate.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Here are more examples of Sesquipedalians, in Part 2 of 2, 18-33.

You may go to this sesqui unit for a list of related word entries.