Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MACHISMO

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"MACHISMO" Pronunciation: muh CHEESE mo (The "mo" has a long "o" as in "most.") Part of speech: Uncountable noun. (Like “milk,” “rice,” and “education,” uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about “some milk,” “the rice,” and “a lot of education,” but you don’t say “a milk,” “three rices,” or “many educations.” Likewise, talk about “the machismo,” “such machismo,” “no machismo,” just "machismo" by itself, and so on, but don’t say “machismos.”) Meaning: Machismo is an attitude of overdone manliness. That is, someone with machismo is acting like a big, strong, proud, powerful, brave, and important man--and it's just overdone, uncalled for, or silly. Other forms: none How to use it: Talk about showing off your machismo or making a display of machismo, doing something with machismo, celebrating or glorifying machismo, and so on. You can say someone is known for his machismo, or say that some place is riddled with machismo or reeking of machismo, and so on. Also, you can talk about "the machismo of something." We also use this word in the same abstract way we use other words for feelings and emotional actions, like "happiness" and "forgiveness." That is, just use "machismo" as a noun without "a" or "the." Examples: "Machismo is his worst attribute." "This dumb eating contest is continuing only because of machismo." It doesn't have to be just a guy who's full of machismo. A group, a nation, a company, and so on can act with machismo. Be aware that it's a critical word. It's not a compliment if someone says you're full of machismo. Rap music is often faulted for promoting a culture of machismo, with constant references to power, ego, and the objectification of women. Professional football seems to me like a world of machismo, but maybe there's more to it than the warlike game, the muscles, the scorekeeping, and the exorbitant paychecks. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "machismo" means when you can explain it without saying "manly" or "dominance." Think of a person or group that annoys you with showy displays of power, and fill in the blanks: "(Person or group) should really tone down the machismo and quit _____." Example: "That TSA agent should really tone down the machismo and quit booming out commands to take off our shoes. We get it. We're taking off our shoes." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: Messages that go through an automated translator into several languages and back into English again often end up sounding funny and garbled-- but still somehow meaningful. We’re having fun with that phenomenon this month as we play our game: Guess the moral from Aesop’s Fables after it has been translated into a few foreign languages and back again by a computer program. Some of the morals may be very familiar to you, others not so much. You don’t need to quote Aesop verbatim but rather just understand the message being conveyed. Try it out each day and see the right answer the following day.   Yesterday’s answer: The translation-babble said, “Even if a man is thinking about the neighborhood, unfortunately, they do call into question the goodness.” Aesop said, “Even when a person treats his neighbors well, his goodness can unfortunately be called into question.” Try this one today: “A wise person realized the misery and their neighbors.” A Point Well Made: George Bernard Shaw: “When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty.” 1. The opposite of MACHISMO is A. SUBMISSIVENESS B. HANDICRAFT C. INTELLIGENCE 2. A popular meme titled _____ celebrates machismo, with text such as _____. A. Good Guy Greg .. "Becomes rich and famous. Remembers you." B. Bad Luck Brian .. "Develops an allergic reaction... to his allergy medicine." C. Overly Manly Man .. "Concealed weapons? You mean hands in my pockets?" Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. C