Plenty of Pompe, Nice Nuncheon, a Glitzy Gunna, Then Down to Bisig

Barack Obama made history Jan. 20, but let's look at the history of some of that day's words . . .

Such as blunder. Hey, in fairness to Chief Justice John Roberts, we'd all be nervous reciting anything, let alone the presidential oath, in front of millions of people. Still, bobbling a few words is a "blunder," or a clumsy mistake. The Old Norse blunda meant to shut the eyes, so we see a connection to our modern usage, where "blunder" (as a verb) can mean to move in a clumsy manner.

(To be safe, they took another crack at it later, so that Obama could say he "will faithfully execute the office of president." The Latin fides refers to confidence and belief, and to oath purists, the do-over restored the former and upheld the latter.)

We journalists sometimes would like a second chance, too. Facing tight deadlines, we often must select words quickly (the Old English cwicu meant living, which gave way to the Middle English quik, meaning lively or alive). Our own flubs -- a combination of fl(op) and (d)ub -- remind us that the power of words can't be forgotten amid the pace of communication.

Back to Inauguration Day: Nerves certainly came into play as Obama and Roberts had to wait through countless introductions of other political bigwigs. The Latin intro refers to inwardly or on the inside, and ductus is a leading or conducting. (And "bigwig," referring to an important person, is derived from the large wigs once worn by judges and other distinguished officials.)

OBAMA THEN delivered his inaugural address, describing the challenges facing the nation. We often think of a "challenge" as a demanding task, but it also means calling something into question or demanding proof. The Old French chalenge referred to an accusation or claim, which grew from the Latin calumnia (trickery).

The Obamas then offered hugs and best wishes to the Bushes as they prepared to return to Texas. The Old Norse hugga meant to console; the Old English wyscan probably stemmed from the Indo-European root wen-, meaning to strive for or desire.

All of this pomp -- the Greek pompe referred to solemn procession -- can build an appetite, so the Obamas and special guests sat down to a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol. The Middle English nonechenche meant a noon drink, which probably became nuncheon to refer to a snack. Also, the Spanish lonja refers to a slice of ham and could be part of "lunch" history.

Meantime, the frigid faithful had lined the streets of Washington, so the Obamas worked off a few lunch calories by walking part of the parade route and greeting their supporters. We usually think of "parade" in the festive sense of floats and marching bands, but the military sense -- a display or assembly, especially a review of troops -- seems clear from the Latin parare (prepare or set).

DURING THE evening, the president and first lady made their way from one ball to another. The Greek ballizein meant to dance or jump about -- which isn't easy to do in formal attire, though Michelle Obama's gown (the Late Latin gunna was a loose robe or fur cloak) captured the fancy of the fashion world.

Of course, the next day, it was down to business -- the Old English bisig (as in busy) referred to being occupied. No doubt Obama will be that.

Lewis F. Brissman, director of news production, was born in Washington but had no hometown advantage in scoring inauguration tickets. He writes occasional columns about words, language, and newspapers -- and suggestions are welcome. Contact him at .