Grammar Punk Blog

bel⋅li⋅cose

bɛlɪˌkoʊs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bel-i-kohs]

–adjective

inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious.

Origin: 

1400–50; late ME < L bellicōsus, equiv. to bellic(us) pertaining to war (bell(um) war + -icus -ic ) + -ōsus -ose 1 

The English language is right up there with the most difficult languages to assimilate, let alone master. Our word of the week is yet one example; we have altogether too many words that can mean basically the same thing. Which is not so great for those learning the language as a first, second, or fifteenth language. However, it’s perfectly fabulous for writers.

And not so much.

So let’s look at bellicose. It intrinsically means warlike, aggressive and since it dates back to the 15th century where this sort of attitude was sort of understandable, that was what the word meant. But now bellicose can convey crankiness, grouchy, ornery, touchy, insensitive, belligerent… And let’s not forget colloquially: jerk, creep, dipwad…you get the idea.

Which sounds like bad news, I know. But as far as usage goes, having so many choices for that thought, emotion, or really cool text message is only a good thing, right? And when it comes to writing, there is nothing quite as satisfying as finding that perfect word that looks just right, sounds good, matches your theme, and is exactly the word the character in your current work is looking for.

How cool is that?

Here’s a Grammar Punk sentence using bellicose:

B  E  5  ;  Adj.

Typically bellicose, the badgers behaved outrageously at the neighborhood block party; as far as the beavers were concerned, they would not be invited back.

Now you try!