CARMINA: What's the term for people who love big words?
RONAN: Umm... pretentious?
Or how about fustian? I like big words, I do. They compensate for my… well, let’s not go there. At least I'm not alone: Goths are known for their labyrinthine scene/online monickers (D'Elormie, Sanguinaria, you get the idea). Visual Kei bands are as guilty of appropriating Latin and French words (Dué le Quartz and Psycho le Cému, anyone? )
Reader Emily suggested a post on Ipso Facto, so let’s make that our mot du jour. Behold three definitions, all of which are Gothic...
a) The Latin phrase means "by the very act," or automatically. In other words, an effect is the direct consequence of the action in question, and not a subsequent one; "Faustus had signed his life away, and was, ipso facto, incapable of repentance." (Marlowe, The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus)
b) Ipso Facto also refers to a British all-female band (which is what Emily really meant). They're known for their mod Goth outfits and for rocking out with The Horrors. In the words of Drowned in Sound: "Everything is taut black and white; guitars sound like they’re being played through straitjackets, the organ lines like slowly snapping ice." Check out some of their tracks on MySpace.
c) Finally, there's an online Goth store that goes by the same name. Ipso Facto sells casual Western Goth clothing, footwear, and accessories; most items are under $100. My personal style doesn't usually run in this direction - I prefer Victorian/Rococo/Gothloli/J-punk - but I had fun browsing the categories and putting together a "sample outfit" (above). I began with an Emily the Strange creepy bones camisole/panty set ($24.50). I liked the short, black twill dress with an embroidered skull pocket by Attempt ($97.50). Boots are a must; I picked tall Torment ones with metal plates and buckles ($99.50). Alchemy's English pewter razorblade ring ($29.50) and Tripp's chain handcuff bondage straps ($17.50) also caught my eye.
I leave you with a Wikipedia article about the longest words in English. What are some of your favorite oroduntidities?
