Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MALAPERT

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"MALAPERT" Meaning: Someone or something malapert is rude in a bold, saucy way. And, a malapert is also a person who acts like that. In other words, a malapert is someone who's overly bold in a cheeky, rude way. Pronunciation: MAL uh purt Part of speech: Often an adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “a malapert comment.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The comment was malapert.”) It's also a countable noun. (Countable nouns, like “bottle,” “piece,” and “decision,” are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about “a bottle,” “three pieces,” and “many decisions.” Likewise, talk about one malapert or multiple malaperts.) Other forms: malaperts, malapertly How to use it: For the adjective, talk about malapert people, behavior, and attitudes; malapert comments and writing, etc. For the noun, simply refer to someone as a malapert, but only if it's deserved! She makes a lot of valid points, but they'd have a bigger impact without all that malapert commentary. Some malapert on Fiverr kept messaging me with personal questions and comments about my profile picture, so I reported him. It's a site for doing business, not dating. Sheesh. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "malapert" means when you can explain it without saying "impudent" or "presumptuous." Think of someone you know who recently said or did something funny but rude, and fill in the blanks: "I had to stifle a giggle at (Person's) malapert (comment or action.)"  Example: "When our waitress said that the dish had no mayo, just aoili, I had to stifle a giggle at my friend's malapert response: 'Which is mostly mayo.'" 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: This month, we're sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about the origins of words, phrases, and quotes. Click here if you want to check them out. Try a question here each day this month, and see the right answer the next day. Have fun! Yesterday's question: "Guess the word! Origin: The original Arabic meaning of this word was 'storehouse,' often for military equipment. In 1731, the word was used in a periodical title to figuratively mean 'storehouse of information.' Its current meaning is derived from this. Definition: A periodical that contains articles, stories, and other features." Answer: "The word is: Magazine. Tidbit: Gentleman’s Magazine was the first magazine published in 1731." Today's question: "Guess the phrase! Origin: After falling under the auspices of a governing body, rules developed for different styles of wrestling, allowing certain types of maneuvers while banning others. This phrase was used to characterize the original type of wrestling matches where there were no rule restrictions and the match was free form. Definition: No restrictions or rules." A Point Well Made: Robert Louis Stevenson: "A man must not deny his manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations." 1. The opposite of MALAPERT is A. CLEAN B. COURTEOUS C. KNOWLEDGEABLE 2. He fled the scene of the crime with a malapert _____. A. silence B. motorcycle C. tip of his hat 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. B 2. C Exploring the archives: Today's word, "malapert," has a decidedly negative flavor. If you need to talk about someone who's bold and saucy, and bordering on rude, but without that negative tone, you might pick our word "r____ish." I had given this sentence as one example: "Even if you don't like action films, the r____sh charm of Robert Downey Jr. makes the Iron Man movies worth seeing."