Sipping coffee with bete noire

It was interesting to see three young politicians, all of different hues, come together at a Restaurant in Mumbai and discuss the state's agenda for a popular TV programme. Two of these young leaders belonged to parties that have rarely been seen sharing a platform in the past. Traditional bete noire and with political agendas having nothing in common - it marks a turning of a new leaf in Indian political landscape. 
Bete noire is our expression of the week - it means something or someone who is avoided or even detested, disliked or dreaded. The expression has origins in French as an expression for insufferable person.

Film-maker goes esoteric

Artists tend to go esoteric and so do blog-writers now-a-days. That's how a film critic described the film Finding Fanny. That's our word of the week - esoteric. It reflects restrictive, cryptic or confidential.
Its an adjective that reflects a piece or concept that's understood or is intended for only a select few who may have a special skill or interest or knowledge. So a work of art or fiction or concept that's abstruse and is difficult to understand is referred to as esoteric.

Disconsolate followers!

A popular Chief Minister was sent to gallows last week. The reactions from her followers and fans were on expected lines considering the following she has had. The expression used to describe  these followers and fans was 'disconsolate'. 
Disconsolate is our word of the week. It reflects a state that's beyond consolation. When someone is filled with grief or is hopelessly dispirited he or she is said to be disconsolate. The expression also finds mention in fiction and poetry often referring to cheerlessness as in - the disconsolate loneliness of a moonless night.

Bringing something new from the repertoire

So when two coalition partners are negotiating on how to outdo the other and be a more effective political force - they dig deep in their bag of tricks or their repertoire. That's our word this week: Repertoire.  
The entire inventory of skills or techniques that can be leveraged or brought into play in any given field or trade is referred to as 'repertoire'. The depth of the bank of expressions that an actor has is his or her repertoire marks the versatility of the actor. That's the case with politicians and the tricks they have in their bag or in their repertoire.

An appropriate expression if nothing else!

So what was that expression used to describe the easing of restrictions on Catholics in Britain in 1771? Emancipation. 

That's our word of the week. Its the act of freeing or getting liberated. Emancipation of the slaves was how historians describe the removal of slavery in US. 

Lately, we have had a few wise men talk of emancipation of our society from corruption. And for once we need to drop our cynicism and relish the use of an appropriate expression if nothing else (emancipation from pigeon's English - if you may please!).

That comment on TV!

When our celebrated batting order was collapsing against the seam and swing bowling of the England side - there was criticism all around. The commentators were appalled at the propensity of the Indian batsmen to flirt with balls pitched on the off-side. Propensity is our word of the week. It is an expression that indicates of a natural tendency or an inclination. 
So the next time you see politicians scream their lungs off on a debate whether in the parliament or on a popular TV news show - you know it is their propensity to outshout the others on display.

They commented on the PM's gait!

When one walks at various speeds – the way the feet move, the pattern of our footsteps and the rhythm of the entire effort often acquires a particular, distinguishable character. So when our Prime Minister walked towards the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th of August – some journalists commented on the positive energy in his steps and stated: His gait was confident and had a sense of purpose, his stature commanding as it ought to be of a PM of a great nation.

Gait is our word this week. It is a manner of stepping, walking or running.