Trenchant

[Dr. Goodword]

• trenchant •

Pronunciation: trench-ênt • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: 1. Sharp, to the point, aggressive, vigorous, and effective. 2. Sharply defined, clearly outlined, distinct.

Notes: The adverb for today's word is trenchantly and the noun, trenchancy. Don't worry about the trenches when using this word, the only pitfall to beware is the suffix -ant—always spelled with an A rather than an E.

In Play: This is a fine word to use amidst today's political problems: "Many are calling for trenchant measures to regain control of federal and state budgets." Unfortunately, no one in Washington has a trenchant plan that shows promise of success (meaning No. 2). Perhaps our use of this Good Word might spur law-makers to be more trenchant in their thinking. Think so?

Word History: Today's Good word comes from Old French, trenchant "cutting", the present participle of trenchier "to cut". This is the same root that gave us trench, a long cut in the ground. The original root in Proto-Indo-European, the ancient language from which most European languages developed, meant "to pass over", as a saw passes over what it cuts. That is why the Latin prefix trans- "across" also developed from the same root. (We must thank Dr. Lyn Laboriel for so trenchantly transmitting this very Good Word to us for our series.)

[Slava]

My vote for most common usage is in the phrase "trenchant wit."

[Philip Hudson]

I think I have a trenchant coat but have too little cause to wear it.

[David Myer]

What distinguishes your coat as trenchant, Philip? It is surely not sharp and aggressive? Perhaps it is intended to be warn in aggressive situations like trenches?

[Slava]

What distinguishes your coat as trenchant, Philip? It is surely not sharp and aggressive? Perhaps it is intended to be warn in aggressive situations like trenches?

If it's like mine, it's the sharp, distinctive lines, the cut of its jib shall we say. Somehow, people recognize mine as a London Fog almost immediately, though I just think of it as an overcoat. Can definition 2 be used this way?

[David Myer]

I guess the Good Doctor would approve its use as a metaphorical interpretation of meaning 2. Sounds very luxurious - even though the London Fog that I knew as a youngster was pretty unpleasant. Mind you, it did sit upon you like a damp and heavy coat...

So I have just checked London Fog, and guess what, it is a brand and the specialise in trench coats!

[bbeeton]

In these parts, a London Fog is often a latte made with Earl Grey tea, and a trench coat is often a Burberry. Is no name unavailable for co-option?

[Slava]

Burberry is a brand name, too, isn't it? Or did they lose the battle, like xerox and kleenex?

[David Myer]

Don't xerox and kleenex see themselves as having won? The idea is to get your brand name used widely as the generic descriptor - biro, hoover, google... I would guess that most of these would be thrilled to be used generically.

[Slava]

Not really. They want people to think of THEM as the only one for what is being done. If you want to look something up, google it on Google, not Yahoo. If you want to make photocopies, use a Xerox, not a Ricoh or Kodak, etc.

Commonization waters down the power of the brand. You'll find most brand names fight long and hard to keep them company specific.

[Philip Hudson]

Does wearing a trench coat cause oner to have trench mouth? Does trench mouth come from getting an infection while in the trenches or from eating from dirty wooden bowls called trenchers? I like the last one best but the evidence seems to be against it.