Alphabetical Entries: K

terms like this give new meaning to the roles of kings and queens as "rulers." Retain as a specific description of bed sizes and bed linen (where the use of "single," "double," "queen," and "king" is standard). Whereas "queen-size" is relative, meaning "big, but less than king-size," "king-size" has a more objective meaning: it is the largest. Because it sings that old male-is-number-one/female-is-number-two song, you might want to use alternatives: jumbo-size, jumbo, supersize, oversized, outsized, gigantic, enormous, huge, extra-large, of heroic proportions, larger than normal/life. (But who says the king is always larger than the queen?)

cobalt blue. In any case, the non-sex-linked term is more common.

when a queen is on the throne, it's "queen's counsel."

standard/correct/accepted English, standard usage, correct speech. When a Queen is on the British throne, one ought to hear "the Queen's English," and one does hear it in Great Britain. In the United States, "King's English" is used, although it has not been correct since early 1952, just before Elizabeth II acceded to the throne or, better yet, since the colonists parted ways with King George.

not a particularly damaging little cliché. If you want something that is not sex-linked, try for a colorful new expression of your own or consider fortune, enormous/prodigious sum, priceless, beyond price, worth its weight in gold, above rubies, invaluable, matchless, peerless, inestimable, costly, of great price, precious, worth a pretty penny/a fortune.

statecraft, diplomacy, political savvy, leadership, politics, the art of governing, holding firmly to the reins of government, wielding the scepter.

realm, empire, land, country, reign, rule, monarchy, domain, dominion, nation, state, world, sovereignty, principality, territory, region, protectorate, fief, commonwealth, republic, world. "Reign," "realm," and "dominion" are particularly appropriate for the kingdom of God. "Kindom" is sometimes used to express the meaning of "kingdom" without the triumphal and male overtones. "World" can be used in quasi-scientific uses, for example, the animal, mineral, and plant worlds (but retain the biology term "kingdom" in scientific writing). During the reigns of even the most powerful and influential queens (for example, Queen Elizabeth I), no one ever used the word "queendom."

the next world, the world to come, paradise, eternity, the hereafter, eternal life, life after death; the end of the world, oblivion. For the phrase "from here to kingdom come," use: from here to eternity.

nobility, royalty, authority, dignity, gallantry, charisma, greatness.

regal, dignified, majestic, imperial, aristocratic, autocratic, courtly, gallant, charismatic, sovereign, royal, dynastic, royalist, monarchical, imperialistic.

except when referring to Richard Neville, First Earl of Warwick (Warwick the Kingmaker) or in the very literal sense, consider using power behind the throne/scenes, power broker, wheeler-dealer, mover and shaker, strategist, someone with political clout, string-puller, operator. Plural: the powers that be.

linchpin.

head pin.

monarchy, majesty, royal position, royal office, dignity; statecraft, leadership, diplomacy.

use as they are or, for gender-nonspecific terms: relative, blood relative, relation, cousin, kin, kinsfolk, kith and kin, connection. Plurals: kinfolk, relatives, kin.

historically this was a man or boy in roughly the same pejorative sense that "boy" has been used in English for a man. For a tricky, deceitful person of either sex, use mischief-maker, rascal, trickster, troublemaker, sneak; double-crosser, four-flusher, cheater; crook, villain, evildoer, traitor, betrayer.

mischief, mischievousness, monkeyshines, shenanigans, hanky-panky, trickery, roguish trick; baseness, villainy, unscrupulousness, deviltry, wrongdoing.

a Knight of the Round Table was always a man, and there was no equivalent for a woman. Today, either a woman or a man may be knighted, although this was not always the case. Women members of British orders of knighthood are called ladies and addressed as dames; men are called knights and addressed as sirs. For inclusive modern-day alternatives to the metaphorical use of "knight," use champion, hero. Full membership in groups with "knight" in their title (for example, the Knights of Columbus) is generally reserved for men. The word "knight" is not always a clue to noble deeds and high-mindedness; the most visible (so to speak) of the infamous kind are the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. See also knight errant, knight in shining armor.

rescuer, champion, hero errant; dreamer, idealist, romantic; philanthropist, altruist, humanitarian. See also knight in shining armor.

this is still used, although there is no good parallel for a woman; perhaps the closest is "woman of my dreams." In the sense of rescuer, consider sex-neutral terms: hero, deliverer, rescuer, lifesaver, savior, champion.

vagabond, hitchhiker, hobo. See also road sister.

gallantry, nobility, bravery, quixotism, generosity, altruism, philanthropy, kind-heartedness.

in the past, reserved for men; today, both women and men may be raised to knighthood. See also knight.

this crude slang expression for impregnating a woman is not used by anyone with any sensibilities, but illustrates a common attitude toward women that is at the same time violent and unfeeling; women are passive, throwaway objects to the speaker.

used colloquially to mean a wonderful thing or person, this word takes on new meaning in today's culture of violence: an ad for a woman's shelter asks, "Does your husband think you're a knockout?" Numerous men have been killed or severely injured as a result of knockouts in the "sport" of boxing. You may want to avoid this word. See also violence, violent language.