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What Is a “Cartellian”?

What Is a “Cartellian”?

A brief personal explanation. In several past commentaries, I have referred to those trafficking in drugs as “cartellians.”  One reader said he could not find the word in the dictionary – even the BIG Oxford edition.  Since then, a couple more readers questioned the word.  You will not find the word “cartellian” in the dictionary because I took literary license and … made up the word.  Yes, I coined it, as the saying goes.

More remarkable than the initial guy who challenged the authenticity of the word, are the hundreds of thousands of folks who get my online commentaries and never questioned the legitimacy of the word. 

In some ways, it is not a new word as much as a variation of a commonly used word.  That is the reason it is self-defining – and the reason I coined the word.  People read it.  They understand it.  They accept it.

I think it gains legitimacy by being self-defining.  I did not mint a new word out of meaningless desire.  It serves a purpose.  There would be no benefit had I added a word to the lexicon that would not be readily understood.  I leave that to the drug companies who give their products names that have no meaning to the general public – and do not even give a hint as to what the medicine does.

I also liked cartellian because it is a bit of an onomatopoeia — giving these earthly drug-running monsters a name that sounds like some invading creatures from outer space.

More importantly, it simplifies the language.  I replaced the phrase “members of a drug cartel” with a single word, cartellian.  It seemed to me that the longer phrase reads more like a definition than a word, anyway.  In fact, it is the definition of cartellian.

Why two L’s?  I just thought it looked better.  Perhaps I should have followed some rule, but then again English has more exceptions than rules.  If you do not agree, just ask someone who has had to learn English as a second language.

I shall now wait to see if my new word will get the attention of those individuals who decide when a word gets admitted to the Oxford Unabridged Dictionary.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

11 Comments

  1. TitTat

    Cartellian: Member of a drug cartel. Bad guy. Chicano loco. Most often of Mexican descent bearing fat mustache and pot belly that underpins his beltless jeans. Unpleasant or despotic demeanor. Loves his mother.

    Thanks Larry!

  2. Ben

    One has to wonder if you would have had to make up words if Republicans didn’t declare this losing war on drugs that skyrocketed our prison population, tore families apart, purposely targeted minority communities, took fathers out of their homes, killed countless, and destroyed entire Countries.
    But at least you got to make up a new word!

    • Dan Tyree

      Choices have consequences. People can stay away from drugs and not push them on our kids. So boo hoo But you commiecrats have no empathy for unborn babies I don’t take drugs and having being on pain killers after surgery, I took them as per doctor’s orders and flushed them when I didn’t need them anymore. But I also know that some people, particularly soldiers, have more struggles with opioids. But taking drugs recreationally is stupid

      • Ben

        Dan,
        I wish there were as many people offering me drugs as the Republican anti drug campaign told there would be. Turns out, that was a lie also.

        Flushing drugs contaminates our drinking water. But, with you voting Republican, I don’t expect you to think of how your actions impact the greater good.
        Taking drugs recreationally should be a personal decision, and not up to the government to decide for you.
        When you take away all other choices, there is only one choice to make. Which is the only option republican’s drug war has left many people.
        Nice talk

        • Dan Tyree

          When the drugged up people are trying to function in society and drive cars their “personal choices “ can affect my life. A few beers on the weekend usually are worn off by Monday. I’ve personally seen the affects of recreational drug use and people who do that are fools. But you libturds preach personal choices to support your sick agenda. If people do drugs they should have to pay for their eventual rehab and treatment. Drugs are the leading cause of property crimes and robberies. Yes, I’ve seen the affects with friends and relatives. It was heart breaking a few years ago to attend the funeral of a 17 year old son of a dear friend that overdosed on drugs. So go peddle your bullshit to whomever agrees with you. I sure don’t. You mentioned having kids before in other posts. I hope and pray that you never have to make their funeral arrangements because of drugs. But with the leftist crap that you probably feed them the potential for that is there. Which means that you aren’t a good parent. And if you have a daughter, she could easily turn to prostitution to support a drug habit. So go ahead and tell your kids that if it feels good do it

          • Ben

            Dan, it wasn’t the leftist that started the opioid epidemic, it was the mega rich, Republican voting big pharma. Even though they knew how addictive and dangerous they were. Left unchecked by politicians that reaped the benefits in terms of campaign contributions, prescriptions exploded.
            To the layman, a “pill” was safe, it made you feel good without the dangers of street drugs. Once you’re hooked the cost is prohibitive, so along came the explosion of cheap heroin and it’s powerful synthetic cousins.
            If certain, less harmful drugs were available at the time to ween, or substitute, maybe the epidemic wouldn’t be so bad. But the Republican lead war on drugs sees drugs as drugs ( except alcohol and tobacco, I wonder why?).

            Look, the Republican lead war on drugs is as effective as the Republican lead war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Poor intentions lead to a poor outcome. Now we learn the trump oversaw a record number of drug deaths last year. Another Republican milestone.

  3. Dan Tyree

    Ben I knew that you would twist things around. I live a full life and I don’t do dope. And any medicine prescribed by my doctor would be taken properly. You probably think that crack and meth is ok. Typical leftist moron.

    • Ben

      Dan,
      I thought republicans were all about less government and more personal freedom?
      Driving a car under the influence of drugs would be no different than driving the car under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs. Illegal.
      I don’t see why you care what other people put in their bodies. The drug war has failed we have the largest prison population in the world. It’s time to change the way we think and end the Republican war on drugs!

      • Dan Tyree

        I care when what they put in their bodies put me and mine in danger. Or when their addiction causes them to try to victimize me and mine. That’s when deadly force is to be involved. Simple solution. Don’t fuck with a truck and you won’t get ran over. So you should try to train your kids to leave drugs alone.

        • Ben

          Dan, I didn’t know you were such a bleeding heart. That’s so sweet of you. Like almost compassionate. Again, my point stands, it’s not for you or anyone else, including the government to decide what people put in their bodies. DUI is still illegal regardless of what the driver is under the influence of. Victimizing another, if by stealing, robbing, or burglaring, is illegal if you are clean and sober or high and drunk. Legal drugs don’t change that at all.

          I’ll stick to raising my kids, you stick to.. what ever it is you do. Your values, if you have any, are so polar opposite mine, I wouldn’t take your advice regardless of the topic, particularly not raising children.

          • Dan Tyree

            Your kids will probably end up turning tricks to support a drug addiction