Monday, July 21, 2008

Neologism of the Day

Main Entry: Wrighteous
Phonetic pronunciation: [EnTeeWright-eous]
Function: noun

This noun is used to denote a type of biblical exegesis that is characterised by astonishing accuracy and insight. It can also be used, in less formal settings, adjectivally: ‘that academic is one Wrighteous dude’; ‘he is a Wrighteous exegete’ etc. Verb: If one finally grasps the meaning of a biblical passage then one can say that he has Wrighteoused it: ‘I Wrighteoused the living Bultmann out of that reading of John 3’ etc.

13 comments:

Doug Chaplin said...

Proverbs 13:25 The Wrighteous have enough to satisfy their appetite, but the belly of the wicked is NT.

Andrew P Bourne said...

Has Jim West affirmed this word as the fullest understanding of theology. Close to a creedal word!!!

goulablogger said...

Wrighteous: biblical exegesis that is characterised by astonishing accuracy and insight.

Empty Wrighteous: That 1/3 of astonishing accurate biblical exegesis which is in fact, completely wrong, but which is absolutely unidentifiable from the other 2/3.

Spelled NTWrigteous. The odd pronunciation of "N" is likely from Welsh influence.

Chuck Grantham

Anonymous said...

Don't forget 'Wrighteous indignation', the response to any criticism of Wrighteous views. Also 'self-Wrighteous', being the only person in history to understand Paul etc.

steph said...

It would be foolish to use this word in it's "correct" context because it would lead to misinterpretation due to it's coincidental association of sound with a particularly peculiar and silly bishop.

Robin Parry said...

"Woe unto them who call Wright wrong and wrong Wright; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness."
(Isaiah 5:20 New Robin Version)

:-)

jon henry said...

I've been using a word pronounced "Tilling," especially in heated arguments. It causes people to shut right up, which leads my to think that it may be wrighteous and inspired.

Jason Clark said...

You rock :-)

One of Freedom said...

I think you are on to something here.

matthew r malcolm said...

I tried to use it as a verb, but it backfired:

Me: I hereby Wrighteousify you.

Wife: Hey cool - a speech act, whereby, like a judge in a courtroom, you effect a change in my status from out to in.

Me: Noooo... like a judge in a courtroom I simply recognise your status. Wrighteousifying is acknowledging that you were already in, on the same basis as anyone else who is in.

Wife: But that's not how courtroom pronouncements worked: The judge didn't simply acknowledge someone's status; he effected a change of status with his speech act.

Me: [silence]

Me: Shuddup

Edward T. Babinski said...

How about covering some other neologisms:

Christendumb?

Martyrdumb?

SupercaliCHRISTilicious-transubstantiation?

Chris Tilling said...

Hi Steph,
I would simply point you to the New Robin Version of Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe unto them who call Wright wrong and wrong Wright”.

Jon,
This is unsurprising news for me. I was aware how my name could act like a lead balloon in some circles. It is the ANOINTING.

Jason,
Some big news to tell you ... I’ll say more on the blog page soon

Matthew,
My advice when you get into such situations with your wife is to somehow make it look like she has sinned by calling your wisdom into question. Only way.

Edward,

‘Christendumb?’

Oi!!

‘Wright's not so smart’

It always makes me grin when I read something like that!

I am not so sure Adams is the final word, but of course it will be taken as such by many. Still, I haven’t read the book yet, so I won’t comment further.

steph said...

I'd rather take Jim's advice and refer to the Hebrew - the New Robin sounds a bit tweety. Therefore, woe to those who call Wright good...