- By Jim Evans
- Entertainment
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SMART TALK by Dr. Verbos Metikulos
EPITOME: The Institute for the Linguistically Impaired works hard in its Safire Center to untangle our patients' confusion over the meaning of "epitome." They might say, for instance, that the Rolls-Royce is the epitome of luxury cars.
No. The Cadillac or Lexus might be the epitome. The Rolls-Royce, or perhaps the Maybach, is more like the quintessence.
Institute therapists like to say that the epitome is a perfect example, and the quintessence is an example of perfection. In other words, the epitome is absolutely typical. The quintessence is the absolute best.
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