cajole English · revision 2480

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kəˈdʒəʊl/ ''(UK)''; /kəˈd͡ʒoʊl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|cajoler|t=to wheedle, coax]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) a word of uncertain origin.^(Etymonline) It is possibly a blend of [[frm|cageoler|t=to chatter like a jay]] and [[fro|gaioler|t=to cage, entice into a cage]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Random House instead derives it from a word for a birdcage, ultimately from Latin ''cavea'' “cage”.^(RHWU) Barnhart adds that the spelling may have been influenced by French ''enjôler'' “to coax”.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To win someone over by deceptive flattery or false promises (1645).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The image is of luring a bird into a cage, or of chattering like a jay.^(AHD)^(Etymonline) The English verb has kept the idea of persuasion by flattery, though now usually without the sense of outright deception;^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) Merriam-Webster still records “to deceive with soothing words” as a separate sense.^(MW Collegiate) ''Cajolery'' followed in 1649 and ''cajoler'' in 1677.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1630 – first date given by Merriam-Webster.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1645 – to persuade by flattery or false means.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1649 – the noun ''cajolery''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1663 – with ''into'', to coax into an action.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1749 – to get something out of someone by flattery.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To persuade someone, especially someone reluctant, by flattery, coaxing or promises.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To obtain something by gentle persuasion.^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To deceive with soothing words or false promises.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cajoler]]

+ * [[cajolingly]]

+ * [[cajolement]]

+ * [[cajolery]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[jail]]

+ * [[cage]]

+ * [[jay]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Among words for persuading by pleasing words, ''cajole'' implies the deliberate use of flattery to overcome reluctance, while ''coax'', ''soft-soap'', ''blandish'' and ''wheedle'' differ in tone.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}