Toastmasters - Topics Master

Why do we do table topics?

To practice impromptu speaking and coming up with an answer quickly to an unexpected question. This can be useful socially or at work.

How do table topics work?

I give a topic then say the name of the person who needs to stand up and talk about it. The time allocated is 1 to 2 mins. So the green light will come on at a minute, the amber at 1 minute 30 seconds and the red at 2 minutes.

So now on to the topics:

This evening I need your help. Part of the dictionary has been lost! It’s the longer version that people don’t normally use all the words in. We found someone who remembered some of the words but none of the meanings. It is very important we have the meaning and usage and history of these words just in case someone wants to look clever. 

I’ve come here because it is a place full of clever linguists, some of you here have agreed to help and gone off and done some research and now you are here to present your findings

They are going to come and tell us about their word when I say the word and call their name. They will cover some of the following:

The meaning of the word

How it came by its meaning (from the latin, come in to common usage on the internet etc)

What research they had to do to find this word

I expect some of them, being so clever, will cover other points too.

I repeated each word several times before naming someone to allow people to have some ideas and remember what the word was.

Ultracrepidarian - One who gives opinions on something beyond his or her knowledge.

Chiasmus - Rhetorical device: Repeating some or all of the words you used in a different order (ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country)

Callipygous - having a beautiful bottom

Flahoolick - generous with money

Synecdoche - A figure of speech where part is used for the whole (eg more mouths to feed).

Persiflage - Frivolous lighthearted talk

Aeolist - A pompous person, pretending to have inspiration of spiritual insight.

Panglossian - Characterised by or given to extreme optimism, especially in the face of unrelieved hardship or adversity.

Prolix - Of a person given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length. Or of a piece of writing or speech of great, boring, and probably unnecessary length.

Dunandanate - To overuse a word recently added to your vocabulary

Petrichor - The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell.