Adjectives from names (Easy)

Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Vocabulary with me, Callum.

Finn

And me, Finn. In this programme were talking an interesting type of adjective.

Callum

Yes, theyre adjectives that are formed from the names of famous people such authors,

politicians and scientists. Therell be lots of examples.

Callum

But first, heres Ruth. Shes talking about some common from names that we use.

Finn

And listen out for the answer to this question: Which adjective comes from name of

the author George Orwell? Heres Ruth.

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Ruth

Charles Dickens is regarded as the greatest novelist of England and many of his

books describe the poverty of that time. So what do we mean by Dickensian

conditions? And what about an Orwellian future? Have you read the book1984 by the

author George Orwell? A Churchillian is clearly the kind of speech made by the

politician Winston Churchill. And you can probably guess which famous these

adjectives come from: a Freudian slip and a Thatcherite outlook on life.

STING

Callum

So that was Ruth. we asked you which adjective comes from the name of the author

George Orwell?

Finn

And the answer is . The suffix –ian is often added to the names of famous writers and scientists to form new adjectives.

Callum

these adjectives describe something that person is famous for. Orwell wrote about a

nightmare vision of the future in book1984, so an Orwellian future or society is

terrible like the one in the book, with no individual freedom.

And people sometimes say that reality TV programmes are Orwellian because they spy on

what people are doing.

Callum

Ive heard politicians’ views described as Orwellian too.

Finn

Listen for more of these adjectives in our first clip.

1 CLIP 1

Charles Dickens is regarded as the greatest novelist of Victorian England and many of his

books the poverty of that time. So what do we mean by Dickensian social

conditions?

Finn

Now which two adjectives from the names of famous people in that clip?

Callum

Well, there was Victorian. Victorian England means England when Victoria ruled,

which was from1837 to 1901.

Finn

Other queens and kings whose names are commonly used as adjectives

Elizabethan, Edwardian and Georgian.

Callum

And with kings and queens its always their first names that are made into , not

their surnames. Now that clip also used the adjective Dickensian. Ruth asked us what

Dickensian social conditions are.

Yes, well, because Charles Dickens wrote a lot about the poverty of Victorian England,

Dickensian social conditions are very , like those in his novels.

Callum

You could also say that a street or house is Dickensian, meaning that is very old and in poor condition. But onto our second clip:

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A Churchillian speech clearly the kind of speech made by the politician Winston

Churchill. And you can probably guess which famous people adjectives come from: a

Freudian slip and a Thatcherite outlook on life.

Finn

A Churchillian speech. Now Churchill is for being a powerful, determined

politician and a brilliant speaker.

Callum

So, a Churchillian speech is a powerful and speech. And we also heard a

Freudian slip and a Thatcherite outlook on life.

Finn

Yes. Freudian from Freud, psychologist. Freud wrote a lot about the unconscious mind.

And a Freudian slip is a fixed phrase that means mistake that you make, especially when

speaking, caused by the thoughts in your unconscious mind.

Callum

Thatcherite comes from Thatcher, who was a Prime Minister of the UK.

Adjectives from politicians’ names are often formed with the suffixes – and –ite��. Other

examples are Stalinist from the Soviet leader Josef Stalin, Maoist from the Chinese

Chairman Mao and from former US President Reagan.

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6 Minute Vocabulary from bbclearningenglishcom..

Callum

And were talking about adjectives that are from names.

Finn

And its quiz time! Ready? Number one: Which of these nouns goes best with the adjective

? a) an Orwellian society b) Orwellian freedom.

Callum

The answers a) an Orwellian society.

Finn

Good. Number two: Are conditions a) the conditions in which Charles Dickens

lived, or b) any poor social living conditions?

Callum

Its b) poor living conditions.

Finn

Well done! Number three: Tony Blair was a Prime Minister of the UK and the

from his name is like that of Margaret Thatcher. So would we talk about a) Blairist policies

or b) policies?

Callum

The answers b) Blairite.

Finn

And thats the end of the quiz. And theres lots more about and other things at

bbclearningenglishcom.. Do join us again soon for more 6 Minute Vocabulary.

Both

Bye!