Restoring the English Language- One Word at a Time.

The word of the day is found in an excerpt of Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte (a highly recommended read).

"You look very much puzzled, Miss Eyre: and though you are not pretty any more than I am handsome, yet a puzzled air becomes you; besides it is convenient, for it keeps those searching eyes of yours away from my physiognomy, and busies them with the worsted flowers of the rug; so puzzle on."

Physiognomy as described in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, the Second Edition:

"Phys-i-og'no-my, n. (from Gr. physiognomonia; physis, nature, and gnomon, one who knows, from stem of gignoskein, to know.)
1. The practice of trying to judge character and mental qualities by observation of bodily, especially facial features.
2.The face; facial features and expression, especially as supposedly indicative of character.
3. Apparent characteristics; outward features or appearance."

I think I like this word. If only is wasn't so hard to wrap my tongue around! It is a word to describe staring at a person but without being rude or creepy. Just to look and ponder what sort of person that they might be. I think that, this word, if employed more often in the modern common vernacular, might ease the indifference that we tend to extend to other people and soften the emotional response that we feel upon being stared at!
With the deterioration of the English language has also come the deterioration of etiquette. I suppose that it is general laziness among the whole population that has caused us to lose the dignity of yester-year. What could we do to bring that dignity back?