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olive branch

n.

1. An offer of peace.

Example: Mr. Mannerz extended an olive branch to Mr. Bad Mannerz once, per chance, the two were seated on the same M103 bus.

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en·croach

intr. v.

1. To take another's possessions or rights gradually or stealthily.

Example: Mr. Bad Mannerz—our fearless leader's arch nemesis—began to encroach on Mr. Mannerz territory by offering poor advice to society's lowest common denominator.

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syc·o·phant

n.

1. A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people.

Example: In another lifetime, Mr. Mannerz was a bit of a sycophant, currying favor with anyone with real influence.

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gen·teel

adj.

1. Refined in manner; well-bred and polite.

Example: Mr. Mannerz noticed that the crack addicts he was working with lacked a genteel air.

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a·plomb

n.

1. Self-confident assurance; poise.

Example: Mr. Mannerz consistently carries himself with great aplomb.

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ze·nith

n.

1. The point of culmination; the peak.

Example: Mr. Mannerz hopes to reach his zenith within the next two years. Read his blog...please.

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gar·ish

adj.

1. Marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy.

Example: Mr. Mannerz adores his sister, despite her garish interior decorating sense.

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gen·ial

adj.

1. Having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner.

Example: Mr. Mannerz's ultimate goal is bring out any genial qualities his crystal meth addicted pupils may possess.

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ob·fus·cate

v.

1. To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand.

Example: Mr. Mannerz's makes a great effort not to obfuscate the dreadful effects of frequent meth use.

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cal·low

adj.

1. Lacking adult maturity or experience. 

Example: Mr. Mannerz's main aim in life is to school the callow, meth-addicted youth of the world. 

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a·bom·i·na·tion

n.

1. Abhorrence; disgust.

2. A cause of abhorrence or disgust.

Example: Mr. Mannerz considers breast tattoos an abomination—especially on a bride.

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o·bliv·i·ous

n.

1. Lacking all memory; forgetful.

2. Lacking conscious awareness; unmindful.

Example: Mr. Mannerz was utterly oblivious to people staring at his brightly colored sock while he sat on the downtown M5 bus.

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strin·gent

adj.

1. Imposing rigorous standards of performance; severe.

2. Constricted; tight

Example: Mr. Mannerz found that the best way to get through to his pupils was with a stringent attitude and a firm hand.

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mo·rose

adj.

1. Sullenly melancholy; gloomy.

Example: Mr. Mannerz often found himself in a morose state when reruns of Silver Spoons didn't include Alfonso Ribeiro.

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in·fan·til·ize

n.

1. To reduce to an infantile state or condition.
2. To treat or condescend to as if still a young child.

Example: Mr. Mannerz found his former supervisor's patronizing behavior completely infantilizing

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tra·jec·to·ry

n.

1. The path of a projectile or other moving body through space.
2. A chosen or taken course.

Example: Mr. Mannerz opted for a different career trajectory than his cow-tipping friends from high school.

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soup·çon

n.

1. A very small amount; a trace

Example: Mr. Mannerz employed a soupçon of grace when dealing with his formerly drug-addicted pupils.

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nu·ance

n.

1. A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation.

2. Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone: a rich artistic performance, full of nuance.

Example: Although Mr. Mannerz adores Neil Labute's plays, he doesn't always understand the nuance of his characters.

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spu·ri·ous

adj.

1. Lacking authenticity or validity in essence or origin; not genuine; false.

2. Of illegitimate birth.
3. Botany Similar in appearance but unlike in structure or function. Used of plant parts.

Example: Recently, Mr. Mannerz came across a monogrammed Louis Vuitton Petit Noe of spurious origins.

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co·nun·drum

n

1. a puzzling question or problem

2. a riddle whose answer contains a pun [origin unknown]

Example: The meth addict's refusal to learn about art proved to be a conundrum for Mr. Mannerz.