Make Your Point > Archived Issues > KINGCRAFT

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connect today's word to others: Today we're studying kingcraft, which is exactly what it sounds like: the work of a king, or the skillful wielding of power, authority, and diplomacy--literally or figuratively. In Kingcraft in Scotland, Peter Ross explains kingcraft as a concept more democratic than you might guess: "...Its strength... lay in the love and confidence of the people,--and when the qualities of leadership--whether superior sanctity, heroism, or statesmanship, were wanting, the kingly title was of very little value. When the wearer of the crown was a weakling, the power was wielded by someone else. ... When the people distrusted, despised, or even disliked a king his real influence upon the community was small indeed." Hmm. That sounds rather modern, doesn't it? I'm reminded of some related terms for leaders who grapple with kingcraft: 1. A d_____gue is a leader who takes advantage of the people's fears and desires. 2. A pa___ ti___ is a leader, or any other person or thing, that seems intimidating and powerful but really isn't. And, wielding kingcraft from the sidelines: 3. A gr__ em____ce is a person with a lot of power and influence despite NOT being officially in charge. Though this person wears no crown, he wields the power. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "KINGCRAFT" Kingcraft is the act of cleverly, skillfully keeping power and control over a large group of people. Pronunciation: KING kraft Part of speech: Noun, the uncountable kind: "a lecture on kingcraft," "he's trained in kingcraft," "they use kingcraft." Other forms: None that I can find, but we've also got "prince-craft" and "queencraft." How to use it: When you need to be emphatic and literary, and even the word "statecraft" isn't dramatic enough, pick "kingcraft." "Kingcraft" is a rare word, so it catches people's attention. It can be neutral in tone, but it can also be a bit insulting, suggesting cunning, trickery, manipulation, a selfish grab at power, etc. (That negative tone might arise because we might hear "kingcraft" and think of other words with dark tones, like "priestcraft," "warcraft," "witchcraft" and so on.) Although kingcraft is, historically, wielded by kings--naturally--you're free to use this word to talk about any person's attempt to grab and maintain power, especially on a grand scale. People who do this include politicians, celebrities, business leaders, and other public figures. And you can narrow your focus and talk about kingcraft on a smaller scale, the kind wielded by managers, instructors, program directors, heads of households, etc. You can talk about a leader's kingcraft (or the kingcraft of some leader), or talk about the skill of kingcraft, the game of kingcraft, the art of kingcraft. You might talk about a person skilled or trained (or unskilled or untrained) in kingcraft, or about how a person wields or uses (or misuses) kingcraft, or about how a person's kingcraft succeeds, fails, begins, or ends. Finally, you might refer to some leader's comment, gesture, decision, or behavior as a piece of kingcraft. examples: When he set up a generous scholarship program, some saw it as an act of kingcraft, a tightening of his grip on power in the state. Others saw it as a heartfelt act of giving. "And it doesn't make sense I should fall for the kingcraft of a meritless crown."    — Fiona Apple, "Not About Love," Extraordinary Machine, 2005 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "kingcraft" without saying "statesmanship" or "exercise of power." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "I (watch, read, or follow)  ______ for the (sly, riveting, brilliant, etc.) kingcraft." Example about fiction: "He watches Game of Thrones for the sly kingcraft." Example about reality: "We follow the daily news for his amusing attempts at kingcraft." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Complete the Limerick! In each issue this month, finish off the last line of the poem with a word or phrase we've checked out before. From the previous issue: With paparazzi photographing us, Their dizzying flash bulbs distracting us, It's a bad time to note-- And we don't have our coats-- That the dresses we donned are diaphanous. Try this one today: My Internet’s down every now and then. And there it goes, starting to lag again. So, Comcast, your service Is totally worstest. And your prices are still ______________. review today's word: 1. A close opposite of KINGCRAFT is A. INDOLENCE. B. IMMACULACY. C. INGENUOUSNESS. 2. He honed his kingcraft _____. A. in chess at the park, beating ever-better opponents B. in college, dominating class elections and influencing policies C. as a child, swashbuckling from the monkey bars and the swings Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B