The phrase suggests that certain powerful or destructive forces (metaphorically represented by "missiles of ligneous or petrous consistency") can threaten to disrupt or damage your foundational beliefs or stability ("caseous structure"). However, despite these potential threats, the labels or names we use to describe these forces ("appellations") will always lack real harm or impact. Essentially, it highlights the contrast between the potential for damage and the relative harmlessness of mere words.
the drink was innocuous (innocuous means not harmful and innocent)
The prefix of the word "innocuous" is "in-".
The innocuous book had no plot and weak characters.His remark was completely innocuous.
That is an innocuous question!
To me the comment seemed innocuous, but he found it extremely offensive. A peanut butter sandwich seems innocuous enough, but to a child with peanut allergies, it can be deadly.
Terrorists are picking the most innocuous everyday objects for delivering mayhem, making the task of detection difficult. I thought my remark was innocuous, but everyone was staring at me.
Anything that doesn't offend anyone can be called non-offensive, or sometimes innocuous. Innocuous would work very well to apply to a statement.
Innocuous.
Innocuous or harmless.
Innocuous, harmless
Telling innocuous lies can destroy a once promising friendship.
Innocuous : Meaning not harmful or offensive. Most personal questions from young children are innocuous and not really as rude as they seem. The site of the murder was an innocuous looking frame house on a quiet street.