Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Unctuous

I found it.  This is the word to describe how my mother thanks me for things.


Definition of unctuous

  1. 1 a :  fatty, oily b :  smooth and greasy in texture or appearance
  2. 2 :  plastic <fine unctuous clay>
  3. 3 :  full of unction; especially :  revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality
This is from www.merriam-webster.com

Definition 3 is the winner.  I always felt ungrateful that I rejected my mother's gratitude.  I was working on a word builder game and this was one of the new words.  The irritating thing for me she has this over the top gushing thank you in front of people but privately she throws away whatever I gave her.  She'll thank me profusely for something small I did or offer to pay me, then tell my Dad she wishes I wouldn't come around.  For years, I tuned out her thank yous, now I have a word to fit why it is a good idea to tune her out. 

6 comments:

mulderfan said...

I'm guessing it's oddly satisfying to slap a label on the old bat!

Tundra Woman said...

The first one reflects how I would feel when mine would so disingenuously slime all over me in public.
Glad you're gonna take her at her word and stay away. She has less of an audience for whom to "perform."
TW

Ruth said...

Thanks mulderfan and TW, I appreciate your support and comments.

Janet said...

I'm catching up on your blog, going backwards, and just ran into this. What.a.perfect.word! Now I will be chanting it everytime I see her (mustnotsayoutloudmustnotsayoutloud)

Ruth said...

She's too deaf to hear you, or so she says. ;)

mulderfan said...

Beware Janet! Those of us who are hard of hearing compensate by reading facial expressions and body language! Wear your poker face at all times!