Lexicon:Flocci-nauci-nihili-pilification

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Citation: flocci-nauci-nihili-pilification
Language: English but based on Latin
References: Master and Commander, page 302
Meaning: setting something at a minimal value

Notes:

Following a humorous literary practice of long, compound words. Flocci = pieces of straw; nauci = trifles; nihil = nothing; pili = pieces of hair; fication based on Latin facere = to make.

Additional information

According to both the OED and Merriam-Webster (www.merriam-webster.com), "flocci-" does not mean pieces of straw, but rather pieces of wool, especially those "in loose fluffy organization."




Guide for the Perplexed — This article is based on information from the Guide for the Perplexed, edited by Anthony Gary Brown and based on the work of many contributors. As an aid to readers, the translations offered in Guide for the Perplexed are intended to be a literal as possible, and to follow as closely as possible the original word order.
All contributions to this article are considered to be dual licensed under the terms of the WikiPOBia License and for use in future editions of the Guide for the Perplexed under its terms of inclusion (contact Anthony Gary Brown for details).
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