Make Your Point > Archived Issues > BON MOT

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explore the archives: If you see "bon" and think of boon or benefit, and if you see "mot" and think of motto or mutter, then you can already define bon mot. A bon mot is a "good word:" a clever little thing that someone says. (Pop lyrics latch onto them: "I know you lie, 'cause your lips are moving.") Can you think of a synonym of bon mot--also French--that literally means "play of spirit"? It's j__ d'e____t. make your point with... "BON MOT" French for "good saying" (literally "good word"), a bon mot can be a single word used in a very appropriate way. But most of the time, a bon mot is a saying that's especially clever or witty. Pronunciation: Either "baw MO" (rhymes with "saw Joe") or "bon MO" (rhymes with "on Joe"). I prefer the more natural English version, "bon MO," because it's so common to use the English pluralization ("bon mots")--and why not be consistent? Part of speech: 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 bon mot or multiple bon mots.) Other forms: The plural is "bon mots" (the more common English version) or "bons mots" (the French). Both are pronounced "bon MOZE." How to use it: Bon mots usually pop up spontaneously, in conversation. But if you see a witty, surprising, clever little comment in print, you can still call it a bon mot. Talk about someone's bon mot (or bon mots): "his bon mot made everyone laugh at dinner," "she's known for her bon mots." You can deliver or utter a bon mot; respond with a bon mot; hear or enjoy a bon mot; spread, share, or repeat someone else's bon mot, and so on. examples: Late at night he tweeted a bon mot, which in the morning seemed decidedly less clever. QuoteInvestigator.com has cataloged the long history behind what I thought was Winston Churchill's original bon mot--that is, in response to a woman's disdainful assertion that if she were his wife, she'd poison his tea: "Madam, if I were your husband, I would drink it." study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "bon mot" means when you can explain it without saying "witty remark" or "clever line." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "The dialogue in (some particular show, movie, play, or book) is brimming with bon mots, like '_____.'" Example: "The dialogue in The Picture of Dorian Gray is brimming with bon mots, like 'The commonest thing is delightful if only one hides it.'" 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. Our game last month was "One-Word Titles."  From yesterday: The title of this musical by Jonathan Larson, which officially opened in 1996, means both "payment made for the use of a living space" and "a breaking of relations between people." The title is ____. Answer: Rent. Now, a new game for February: "What's the Difference?" I’ll give you two terms. Without using Google or a dictionary, explain how they’re different. Go beyond saying, "well, I know the difference, but I can’t explain it," or "show me an example and I'll tell you which it is." In your explanations, try to focus on features, not comparisons. For example, what's the difference between climate and weather? A good explanation focuses on features: "climate is what’s going on in the atmosphere over long periods of time, and weather is what’s going on in the atmosphere at a particular place and time." A weaker explanation focuses on comparisons: "climate is more concerning than weather." The game will get harder as the month goes on: we’ll start with objects—natural first, then man-made—then switch to concepts. Let’s do this! Try this today: What's the difference between a bush and a tree? (Remember, give features, not comparisons: "a tree is taller" won't work.) review today's word: 1. The opposite of BON MOT is A. DULL REMARK B. MEMORABLE REMARK C. CONTROVERSIAL REMARK 2. With _____ we've taken _____ and turned them into bon mots. A. "nasty woman" and "basket of deplorables," .. ill-advised insults B. questions like "What are your sources?", .. casual conversations C. wildly successful high school dropouts like Richard Branson, .. exceptions Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@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. A