Fwd: "Rashomon, n." - Word of the Day from the OED

[Dave Monroe]

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Subject: "Rashomon, n." - Word of the Day from the OED
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Your word for today is: Rashomon, n.

Rashomon, n.
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈraʃəmɒn/, /raˈʃəʊmɒn/,  U.S. /ˈræʃəˌmɑn/,
/ˈrɑʃəˌmɑn/, /ræˈʃoʊmɑn/, /rɑˈʃoʊmɑn/
Forms:  19– Rashoman nonstandard, chiefly U.S.,   19– Rashomon.
Etymology: <  Rashomon (Japanese Rashōmon), the title of a 1950 film
directed by Akira Kurosawa, in which several contradictory accounts
are presented of the events surrounding a death <  Rashōmon ( <
Rajōmon, lit. ‘castle wall gate’, with substitution of a character;
both < elements of Middle Chinese origin), the name of a historical
gate (now destroyed) in Kyoto, Japan, under the ruins of which the
film is set. Compare Rashomon-like adj.
  attrib. Designating something resembling or suggestive of the film
Rashomon, esp. in being characterized by multiple conflicting or
differing versions, perspectives, or interpretations.
1961 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 67 210/1 Caplow and McGee use what might be
called a ‘Rashomon technique’ in interviewing both departmental
chairmen and peers to give depth to the picture of their
vacancy-replacement sampling unit.
1968  S. Hoffman Gulliver's Troubles v. 109 There is, in international
relations, what could be called a Rashomon effect: the truth is never
quite the same to different people.
1980 Washington Post 16 Nov. m3/3 It's a comedy, but it has a sort of
‘Rashomon’ element in it—conflicting memories.
1998 Vanity Fair Aug. 36/1 We lived in a ‘Rashomon’ world—i.e., what
one person says is interpreted or seen differently by another.
2003  W. Safire No Uncertain Terms (2004) 280 Special is a Rashomon
word, gleaming with different facets of meaning.
2006 Philadelphia Daily News (Nexis) 6 July 48 Clever‥episode takes a
‘Rashomon’ approach as CSI team members each give their take on the
latest case.

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