Hoi Polloi

Pronounced hoi puh-loi.  Hoi Polloi is a noun (Greek origin - 1825) that means the masses or common people.  Hoi means “the” and Polloi means “masses” in Greek.  It is often incorrectly used today to refer to the upper class or the elite, perhaps confusing the word with hoity-toity.  The term was used disparagingly by the wealthy about the lower class or commoners.  In a sentence: 

The young movie star had a private jet to avoid traveling with hoi polloi.

      

In 1935 the Three Stooges made a short film called Hoi Polloi. You remember the Three Stooges, don’t you?  The movie is about a professor who bets that he can turn the three stooges into gentlemen. After teaching them etiquette, the professor brings them to a fancy society party and well, you can  probably guess how that turns out.   

"The exchange of roles in "The Prince and the Pauper" suggests that a man of the people can be a benevolent ruler because of his humble roots, that a prince can become a better ruler through exposure to hoi polloi."

-- Michiko Kakutani, "In Classic Children's Books, Is a Witch Ever Just a Witch?", New York Times, December 22, 1992

If you want to learn more about how hoi polloi has been used in the 21st century you can check out this link at Wikipdia: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoi_polloi#Appearances_in_the_twenty-first_century

Sanguine

The word Sanguine is an adjective with related yet different meanings.  The origin of the word is middle English from approximately 1325.  It describes: 

• Someone who is cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident.  
• Something that is a healthy reddish color or ruddy; like someones complexion
• Bloody, blood-red or red

It is also a noun meaning a red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings.

This word should not be confused with the word Sanguinary which means blood-thirsty.  We will save that one for another day.  Here are a few examples for how to use it in a sentence:

Her sanguine personality draws me in and makes me cheerful.

His complexion was sanguine after working out in the hot sun all day.

For more information this word, you can check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Temperaments

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanguine

Chocolate Love  by Emily Rose

In youth, there was hope.
When the footprints in the sand did not clear so easily with the tide.
If you built a sand-castle and promised forever,
The wind would kiss your cheeks and vow the same, taking your
Optimism to the
Sanguine, pink sky.

Thirty years later,
When people and promises are severed,
The wind returns.
What does it carry?
Sorrow, pity or joy—
At the hints of love realized in precious fleeting moments…
Like chocolate—so sweet,
That melts, too quickly, on your tongue.