Qualifier: The following story took place in another community that will remain nameless.
A while ago we went out for supper with the grandchildren. The waitress at the restaurant was a rather brusque person. When we first sat down, she reminded us that the children should not run around in the establishment. She returned shortly to take our order and started with, “What do you want?” Then she tapped Patti on the shoulder and said, “What about you?” We ordered chocolate milk for the girls, and she replied, “We don’t have any.” We asked for white milk instead. She responded, “We might have that.” Not sure how she keeps her employment but maybe the locals put up with her brusqueness.
Brusque means markedly short and abrupt. It can refer to a straightforward manner often to the point of ungracious harshness. She asked for a cup of coffee and received a brusque reply: “We don't have any.”
If you have ever felt swept to the side by someone with a brusque manner, it makes some etymological sense. Brusque derives from the medieval Latin word for a butcher’s broom, bruscus. Bruscus was the name for a shrub whose bristly, leafy twigs were used for making brooms.
In Italian bruscus was altered to brusco, meaning sour or tart. Eventually, when applied to people it described a rude or abrupt person. The French changed brusco to brusque. When brusque entered the English language in the early 1600s it applied to the tartness of certain wines. When it was referred to people, brusque described a harsh and stiff manner. This is what you probably would expect from a word originally associated with scratchy brooms.
Synonyms for brusque include bluff, blunt, curt, crusty, and gruff.
Bluff implies good-natured outspokenness and frankness. The bluff preacher did not hesitate to inform the congregation about the issues with the Social Committee.
Blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others’ feelings. The professor gave a blunt appraisal of the student’s chances of graduating in the spring, which brought her to tears.
Curt means disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness. The counselor issued curt commands to the preteens after the incident in the bunkhouse.
Crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness. The old man living next door exhibited a crusty exterior but did not seem all that bad.
Gruff insinuates a hoarse speech which may imply bad temper but more often infers embarrassment or shyness. He replied in a gruff manner because he did not want anyone sympathizing with his problems.
Brusque applies to sharpness or ungraciousness. The teacher had enough of the students’ fooling around so issued brusque instructions all afternoon to the class.
I have found that circumstances can often cause people who are normally kind and thoughtful to respond in a brusque manner. When facing illness or family problems or death a person can become brusque in their reactions to questions like, “How are things going?” Just a reminder: before you judge someone, take account of the happenings they may be facing at the time that can cause a brusque retort to your caring concern.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to [email protected]. Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
