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When you hear the word swashbuckler, what image comes to mind? Perha
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29 Mar 2026, 04:49
29 Mar 2026, 04:49
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When you hear the word “swashbuckler,” what image comes to mind? Perhaps you imagine Robin Hood, or Zorro, or one of the Three Musketeers—a people’s hero, dashing and dauntless. However, the word “swashbuckler” did not always evoke such exciting and positive images. This is a case of linguistic amelioration—a word that initially had negative connotations but over time gained neutral or even positive connotations.
When “swashbuckler” first entered usage in the 1600s, it meant a braggart—a loud and abrasive person in whose company you would not care to pass much time. For centuries, this meaning held sway until the early twentieth century, when a new kind of movie plot redefined the word. Such actors as Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks played handsome, sword-wielding heroes who engaged in daring deeds, and the swashbuckler was reborn as the romantic figure who continues to star in movies today. In fact, in the late twentieth century, swashbucklers even ventured into outer space in the form of lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights.
When “swashbuckler” first entered usage in the 1600s, it meant a braggart—a loud and abrasive person in whose company you would not care to pass much time. For centuries, this meaning held sway until the early twentieth century, when a new kind of movie plot redefined the word. Such actors as Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks played handsome, sword-wielding heroes who engaged in daring deeds, and the swashbuckler was reborn as the romantic figure who continues to star in movies today. In fact, in the late twentieth century, swashbucklers even ventured into outer space in the form of lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights.
1. The author mentions “lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights” primarily in order to
A. explain the origins of the swashbuckler character.
B. suggest that the swashbuckler character continues to please audiences.
C. demonstrate that the definition of swashbuckler continues to become more positive.
D. compare swashbucklers of the 1600s to recently popular movie characters.
E. show that lightsabers and swords are similar weapons.
2. The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
A. Swashbucklers of the 1600s were likely mischaracterized as brash braggarts.
B. Multiple types of fictional swashbucklers have been featured in twentieth-century films.
C. A word may undergo linguistic amelioration long after it is first coined.
GRE Prep Club Team Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2017
Posts: 2932
Given Kudos: 1259
GPA: 3.39
Re: When you hear the word swashbuckler, what image comes to mind? Perha
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31 Mar 2026, 09:26
31 Mar 2026, 09:26
1
Expert Reply
Official Explanation
1. The author mentions “lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights” primarily in order to
Difficulty Level: Very Hard
Explanation
To understand why the author uses this detail, we must first understand the overall purpose of the passage, which is to inform readers of the etymology of a well-known term. We also note that the passage is organized chronologically—from the time the word “swashbuckler” entered the language in the 1600s until recent times. The author mentions the phrase “lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights” as an example of a swashbuckler as defined in present day. Thus, answer choice (B) is correct.
Answer choice (A) does not fit the passage’s chronological structure because the origins of the swashbuckler were dealt with much earlier in the passage.
Answer choice (C) may look attractive at first if we rely on personal preferences for certain movies, but it is not supported by the passage, which states that the definition of “swashbuckler” became more positive in the early 20th century, not the late 20th century.
Answer choice (D) is incorrect because the passage contrasts the definition of a swashbuckler in the 1600s with a revised definition based on movie characters of the early 20th century, not to compare swashbucklers of these two different time periods.
Answer choice (E) is also incorrect because the passage makes no comparison between any types of weapons.
Therefore the correct answer is (B).
Difficulty Level: Very Hard
Explanation
To understand why the author uses this detail, we must first understand the overall purpose of the passage, which is to inform readers of the etymology of a well-known term. We also note that the passage is organized chronologically—from the time the word “swashbuckler” entered the language in the 1600s until recent times. The author mentions the phrase “lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights” as an example of a swashbuckler as defined in present day. Thus, answer choice (B) is correct.
Answer choice (A) does not fit the passage’s chronological structure because the origins of the swashbuckler were dealt with much earlier in the passage.
Answer choice (C) may look attractive at first if we rely on personal preferences for certain movies, but it is not supported by the passage, which states that the definition of “swashbuckler” became more positive in the early 20th century, not the late 20th century.
Answer choice (D) is incorrect because the passage contrasts the definition of a swashbuckler in the 1600s with a revised definition based on movie characters of the early 20th century, not to compare swashbucklers of these two different time periods.
Answer choice (E) is also incorrect because the passage makes no comparison between any types of weapons.
Therefore the correct answer is (B).
GRE Prep Club Team Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2017
Posts: 2932
Given Kudos: 1259
GPA: 3.39
When you hear the word swashbuckler, what image comes to mind? Perha
[#permalink]
31 Mar 2026, 09:27
31 Mar 2026, 09:27
Expert Reply
Official Explanation
2. The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
Difficulty Level: Medium
Explanation
Although the question’s stem does not use the words “infer” or “inference,” because we are being asked to judge statements not actually in the passage but with which the author would be likely to agree, we know that we are seeking proper inferences. We have to evaluate each statement to see whether the details in the passage support it.
Answer choice (II) is correct because the passage gives us two distinct examples of modern swashbucklers: first, the "handsome, sword-wielding heroes" and, later, the "lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights."
Answer choice (III) is also correct because the passage states that it took several centuries for “swashbuckler” to be redefined, supporting the idea that definitions of words/phrases do not change overnight.
On the other hand, answer choice (I) has no support in the passage. The author does not challenge the original definition of “swashbuckler.” Therefore the correct answers are (II) and (III).
Answer: B,C
Difficulty Level: Medium
Explanation
Although the question’s stem does not use the words “infer” or “inference,” because we are being asked to judge statements not actually in the passage but with which the author would be likely to agree, we know that we are seeking proper inferences. We have to evaluate each statement to see whether the details in the passage support it.
Answer choice (II) is correct because the passage gives us two distinct examples of modern swashbucklers: first, the "handsome, sword-wielding heroes" and, later, the "lightsaber-wielding Jedi knights."
Answer choice (III) is also correct because the passage states that it took several centuries for “swashbuckler” to be redefined, supporting the idea that definitions of words/phrases do not change overnight.
On the other hand, answer choice (I) has no support in the passage. The author does not challenge the original definition of “swashbuckler.” Therefore the correct answers are (II) and (III).
Answer: B,C
