A question I have about "unctuous" — 2 years ago
Okay, help a sistah out…
If the definition of this word is accurate below (as found on dictionary.com), then how in heaven or hell does this photo of an African American male seem appropriate? Hmmm?
Okay, one could call this overly sensitive – I prefer to think of it as simply “paying attention”. No hostility or anything… but, just inquiry.
The list I saw it on had all sorts of words with photos next to them. I didn’t exam all the words & photos in detail, but noticed many, including this one. All the others I noticed were appropriate for the word – reciprocal had a photo of two people hugging… things like that.
So, is this saying that “Black” folk are oily or smarmy or self-important or what? Or is it just a lovely photo to go along with a smart little word?
Things that make you go… hmmmmm????
1. characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
2. of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.
3. having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals.
1. Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness: “the unctuous, complacent court composer who is consumed with envy and self-loathing” (Rhoda Koenig).
2. Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery.
3. Containing or composed of oil or fat.
4. Abundant in organic materials; soft and rich: unctuous soil.
unctuous
adj : unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; “buttery praise”; “gave him a fulsome introduction”; “an oily sycophantic press agent”; “oleaginous hypocrisy”; “smarmy self-importance”; “the unctuous Uriah Heep” [syn: buttery, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy]
