Re what are "the terms for sideways, upward and even backwards-pointing antennae"?
You can be straight forward in any direction, Wordwind, as long as you are pointing in the right direction.
However if your point strays from the right direction, either as the result of dishonesty, cowardice or ignorance, your probity requires porrection.
Entomologically speaking, antennae are porrect if they are "stretched out" in any direction, but the usual direction is straight forward.
A sagging antenna is not porrect even if it is pointing straight forward.* Politicians with this infirmity are said to be passionless. There simply isn't enough blood flowing through to their point.
Moral of the story:
If you're going to make a point, you'd better be ready to stand up for it.
Defn. "porrect" [Amer. Heritage Dictionary]
ADJECTIVE: Zoology Stretched out or forth; extended, especially forward: porrect mandibles.
Latin porrctus, past participle of porrigere, to stretch out: por-, forward, out;
* This condition is known as "probity erectile dysfunction". It is treatable but the cure never takes for an entire term of office.
A politician who suffers from P.E.D. might discharge his duty with distinction on a single occasion (or even for a single weekend with the latest medications), but you can never count on sustained performance.
To put the point bluntly, he just isn't up to it most of the time.
