1530s (in Latin form sycophanta), "informer, talebearer, slanderer," from Middle French sycophante and directly from Latin sycophanta, from Greek sykophantes "false accuser, slanderer," literally "one who shows the fig," from sykon "fig" + phainein "to show". "Showing the fig" was a vulgar gesture made by sticking the thumb between two fingers, a display which vaguely resembles a fig, itself symbolic of a vagina (sykon also meant "vulva"). The modern accepted explanation is that prominent politicians in ancient Greece held aloof from such inflammatory gestures, but privately urged their followers to taunt their opponents. The sense of "mean, servile flatterer" is first recorded in English 1570s.
A B
Image A shows a man who truly Image B shows a man who only helps
respects and admires his boss, and his boss in order to receive personal
strives to do anything and everything gains and has no real attachment or
to become the perfect employee, so love for his work.
as to better himself and help those
around him.
When comparing the two, which explanation of the picture best fits the definition of a sycophant?
Who would be considered the brown nose and why?
Protégé:
1778, from French protégé (fem. protégée) "one who is protected," noun use of past participle of Middle French protéger "protect," from Latin protegere.
Examples of proteges and their mentors in media.
1. Splinter and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2. Harry Potter and Dumbledore
3. The Sorcerer's Apprentice
4. Po and Shi Fu in Kungfu Panda
What are some other mentor/apprentice relationships you can find in the media? (film. television, literature)
Think of some other situations where someone older/more experienced, models a youth after him/herself.
Inveigle:
Late 15c., "to blind (someone's) judgment," alteration of Middle French aveugler "delude, make blind," from Vulgar Latin*aboculus "without sight, blind," from Latin ab- "without" + oculus "eye"). Loan-translation of Greek ap ommaton "without eyes." Meaning "to win over by deceit, seduce" is 1530s.
The Devil is trying to inveigle her into eating the chocolate cake while the Angel is trying to inveigle her into eating the fruit that is healthy for her.
A Modest Proposal
http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html
Click on the link above and read the essay by Jonathan Swift. How is A Modest Proposal a paradigm of an essayist inveigling an audience?
Bete Noire:
"Insufferable person," 1844, from French bête noire "personal aversion," as an adjective, "stupid, foolish;" literally "the black beast."
Traffic and waking up early to an alarm are both universally loathed, and thusly, considered to be bete noires.
Think of some other examples of bete noires with a partner.
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