Unmitigated Gall
Definition: Absolute impudence, out-and-out effrontery. The use of “gall,” which strictly speaking means the liver’s secretion, or bile, and its extension to signify bitterness of any kind, dates from about A.D. 1000. In late nineteenth-century America, however, it began to be used in the sense of “nerve” or “brazenness.” Its frequent pairing with “unmitigated,” meaning “unmodified” or “intense,” emerged in the twentieth century.
Synonyms:
- Audacity
- Insolence
- Temerariousness (your daily dose of vocabulary vitamins!)
- Effrontery
Antonyms:
- Respect
- Humility
- Modesty
- Fearfulness
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“He’s got the unmitigated gall of a flea on a hot stove—a full-scale nerve circus!”
“As if borrowing my favorite t-shirt wasn’t enough, the unmitigated gall to return it wrinkled and still reeking of cologne.”
Proverbs and Related Sayings:
“Boldness is a mask for fear, however great.” - John Dryden
“Fortune favors the bold, but people favor the polite.”
Related Expressions:
- Brass neck (British version)
- Chutzpah (Yiddish term with a similar tone)
- Nerve of steel
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Book: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee – witness the unmitigated gall of Bob Ewell.
- Song: “Take It Easy (My Brother Charles)” by Jorge Ben Jor – audacity in rhythm!
- Movie: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” – the ultimate in teenage unmitigated gall.
May your words be as bold, yet wise; daring yet kind. And never forget, having unmitigated gall also means balancing it just right.
Happy exploring!
- Wanda Wortsmith
