Ingratiation

I see words as providing people with a deeper and richer meaning to their emotional and professional lives, especially because much of our lives rely on words. So not every word that I use in this little feature is completely unfamiliar to you, or at least I hope it isn't, because teaching you obscure words is not my primary intention, although I do sometimes do this to give you some fun.

Instead, my goal is to demonstrate the beauty, versatility and subtlety of the English language and to acquaint you with the many wonderful languages that have contributed to English. And of course, I hope that you choose a word or two each week to use in your daily conversation simply because it is fun to be erudite and articulate. Keep in mind that you only have to repeat something 20 times for it to become a habit. Why not pick up a few special word and make them your own unique verbal signature?

I found this word in Living with Geese (not yet online), an interesting and well-written story about geese and the people who anthropomorphize them by Paul Theroux, published in the December issue of Smithsonian magazine.

Ingratiation (in-GREY-shee-ey-shun) [Origin: 1615-25 Latin in grÄtiam into favor, after It ingraziare]

noun

1. to establish (oneself) in the favor or good graces of others, esp. by deliberate effort (usually fol. by with): He ingratiated himself with all the guests.

Usage: Their [geese's] sounds vary in pitch and urgency, according to the occasion, from wheedling murmurs of reedy ingratiation, along with the silent scissoring of the beak, as they step near knowing you might have food, to the triumphant squawk and wing-flapping of the gander after he has successfully put to flight one of his rivals.

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