Word of the Day for Monday August 1, 2005 circumlocution \sir-kuhm-loh-KYOO-shuhn\, noun: The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language. Dickens gave us the classic picture of official heartlessness: the government Circumlocution Office, burial ground of hope in "Little Dorrit." --"'Balance of Hardships,'" [1]New York Times, September 28, 1999 In a delightful circumlocution, the Fed chairman said that "investors are probably revisiting expectations of domestic earnings growth". --"US exuberance is proven 'irrational,'" [2]Irish Times, October 31, 1997 Courtesies and circumlocutions are out of place, where the morals, health, lives of thousands are at stake. --Charles Kingsley, Letters Prefer the single word to the circumlocution. --H.W. Fowler, [3]The King's English _________________________________________________________ Circumlocution comes from Latin circumlocutio, circumlocution-, from circum, "around" + loquor, loqui, "to speak." Circumlocution office is a term of ridicule for a governmental office where business is delayed by passing through the hands of different officials. It comes from Dickens' Little Dorrit: Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceiving--How not to do it. References 1. http://www.nytimes.com/ 2. http://www.ireland.com/ 3. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1853263044/ref=nosim/lexico Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=9&q=circumlocution