This section serves to expand your regular vocabulary. What separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls, if you want to equalize things) is v o c a b u l a r y. We cannot stress this point enough. People who have a larger vocabulary have been shown to make more money and get promoted more often.

P

palliate

(pronounced PAL-ee-ayt)

A verb meaning to diminish and tone down the intensity of something. Also, to obscure by using defensive pleas and justifications.

Example: In an attempt to smooth over the costly mistake and regain trust, Michael and rest of the project team tried to palliate their actions with explanations and apologies, but the experienced developer refused to accept their excuses and stated clearly that she would never hire their design firm again.

palpable

(pronounced PAL-peh-behl)

This velvety word rolls off the tongue, and it has two different meanings, each having a subtle difference. On one hand it means tangible, or capable of being sensed or touched. On the other hand, it simply means perceptible or noticeable.

Example: The firm’s extreme stress level was palpable even to the janitorial service personnel. If they didn’t meet the Friday afternoon deadline for the new hotel bid package, then the development company – their only current client – was sure to fire them come Monday.

panoply

(pronounced PA-neh-plee)

Did the “-oply” give this word’s Greek origin away? “Pan” means “all” (think pandemic, pandemonium, etc.), and this word is most commonly used to refer to a grand or extraordinary array or display.

Example: Sandy had resisted taking her client to NeoCon because she knew that the panoply of furniture and finish options would overwhelm him, ultimately slowing down the project due to indecision.

pariah

(pronounced peh-RI-uh)

When I saw this word mixed up with “piranha” with great comedic effect in an episode of Modern Family, I new that I had to include it here. As a opposed to being an aggressive, flesh-eating fish living in the waters of South America, a pariah is an outcast – someone who is loathed or rejected by a group. (When you think I about it, it would make sense that piranhas would be pariahs in the fish community…)

Example: Jackson’s condescending comments towards his fellow project team members, in addition to his lack of initiative and poor contributions towards meeting every deadline, not only had landed him on probation within the firm, but had made him a pariah within the office.

parlance

(pronounced PAR-lehn(t)s)

Parlez-vous français? Oui ou non? Even if you don’t speak French, think of their word “parlez” to help you remember the English word “parlance.” It means talk or speech, as in formal debate. But it also means a way of speaking (using particular words) or a manner of speech (otherwise known as an idiom), especially related to a particular job or subject.

Example: Robert, the new graduate, hated to admit that he occasionally could not follow the parlance of his two bosses, both of whom had been in the architectural field for 30-plus years.

passé

(pronounced pa-SAY)

An Anglicized version of the French word for “passed.” It’s used to refer to an object, style, person, or idea that is old fashioned, out of style, or antique and that usually was quite popular at a prior time.

Example: Frederick sighed heavily when he realized his new client’s stubborn, 80s-obsessed husband refused to get rid of his black lacquer bedroom set. He thought, “How passé can you get?”

pastiche

(pronounced pas-TEESH)

This term, which looks on first glance looks like it could be a type of fancy European pastry, can essentially have two meanings, neither one of them dealing with dough. First, it can be used to mean a combination or hodge-podge of artistic work that comes together to make one all-encompassing composition. The second meaning is that of an artistic endeavor that imitates the style of work that has come before it. It is this latter definition that is most commonly seen in the design world.

Example: Every time Barbara drove around the new housing developments in her neighborhood she flinched at the pastiche. Once a peaceful, wooded, suburban retreat comprised of 1930s bungalows, the area was quickly being overtaken with ridiculously designed, cheaply executed NeoClassical McMansions.

patronize

(pronounced PAY-trun-eyes)

Another word with dual meanings that can easily confuse…

1. To provide aid or support for, usually in the sense of being a frequent or regular customer or client.
Example: The furniture storeowner was thrilled that local decorators frequently patronized her shop with their clients.

2. To adopt an air of condescension toward and treat haughtily or coolly.
Example: Unfortunately, many showroom employees in Design Centers tend to patronize design students instead of embracing them as the future specifiers that they are.

pedantic

(pronounced pih-DAN-tik)

This descriptor is a derivative of the word pedant, a designation which has a few meanings: 1) one who ostentatiously shows off his education or intelligence; 2) one who teaches in a very formal and precise way; and 3) one who is unimaginative, believing his opinions are the only important ones.

Example: Joan came to dread the weekly staff meetings since her pedantic boss, the principal architect of the firm, insisted on flying off on irrelevant tangents that added nothing but ego-inflating insights into his past accomplishments.

pelt

(pronounced pehlt)

On one hand you have pelt the noun: an animal skin, either with its wool or fur in tact or stripped for tanning. On the other hand you have pelt the verb: to persistently, aggressively throw objects, strike with blows, or attack with words. We’ll use both definitions in the example sentence.

Example: The animal activists completely took Roger by surprise, pelting him with Styrofoam “rocks” and shouts of “Murderer!” as he left the showroom with the zebra pelt long ago ordered and paid for by his client.

per annum

(pronounced per-AN-num)

A Latin-derived adverb meaning in or for each year. In other words, a cooler way to say yearly.

Example: After Jack accepted the position as buyer for the antique auction house, he was careful to negotiate his salary to include a standard per annum bonus.

per contra

(pronounced per-KAHN-truh)

This adverb should be easy to remember because it means by way of contrast or on the contrary, both of which contain the “contra” part anyway.

Example: The twins have quite different aesthetics. Malcolm prefers projects with strong Beaux-Arts elements and decorative flourishes; per contra, Evan only designs with clean lines, simple shapes, and almost no ornamentation.

peripatetic

(pronounced par-eh-pa-TEH-tick)

This multi-syllabic word can be used as a noun, but you’ll see it most as an adjective. Though it originated as meaning one who follows the Greek philosopher Aristotle, we use it today to mean traveling / walking / moving from place to place.

Example: Not only did the already peripatetic sales rep have to cover her state, but she now also had to cover her entire sales region while the manufacturer looked for her former colleague’s replacement.

perquisite

(pronounced PER-kweh-zeht)

This noun means a benefit, gain, or earnings supplementary to regular salary or pay, but it can also mean a tip or gratuity.

Example: One reason Jeff took the position at the A&D firm was the perquisites, which included a free membership to the highest rated health club in the city.

pièce de résistance

(pronounced PYESS duh ray zees TAHNS)

This French term is fun throw in once in a while, especially if you want to get someone’s attention. It a dramatic way to refer to and spotlight the most important item in a collection, program, series or grouping: the main attraction.

Example: Scott was a master when giving presentations to clients because he would always skillfully build up their interest and then wow them at the end with what he knew was their design project’s pièce de résistance.