I like this word! When very old Kodak film is developed, the pictures are all purplish--a phenomenon I saw demonstrated this week. Our 20 year old selves all all empurpled.
I agree, with you, U (amazing, I know). These idiosyncratic lists are fun. I also like to frustrate myself by looking at the inscrutable lists where it is hard to see what the lister was getting at.
Okay, I am getting separation anxiety now. I will miss you two voices in my head next week. (Dear S calls all of you my imaginary friends). U, give your regards to Granny Smith. R, do you to care to give us any hint of your vacation plans?
This is a great list, and enlightening. I am going to add umpty-umpth to my words, because I particulary like it as an ordinal.
I like infinity minus one a lot too, U. It reminds me of the old joke about the natural history museum docent. Asked how old a particular fossil was, he said "Two million and twenty one years." As explanation for such a precise number, he explained that when he started working there 21 years ago, it was two million years old.
That is interesting. As I recall, one of Freud's translators more or less coined this word as a translation of a German word that means someting like "to occupy" If a person cathects something, he or she invests emotional energy in it and makes it his own. Bruno Bettelheim wrote a book about what he regarded as the mis-translation of Freud's writing.
As for having cofusingly contranymic meanings, that is just balderdash. It may be a near-contranym, but in practice it would take a real dunderhead to fail to understand the two meanings.
"We sailed for America, and there made certain preparations. This took but little time. Two members of my family elected to go with me. Also a carbuncle. The dictionary says a carbuncle is a kind of jewel. Humor is out of place in a dictionary."
Mark Twain, Following the Equator, Chapter 1, page 1
Aw gee. . .I am glad you did that. I love Edward Lear. I was trying to recall if it was the honey or the money that was wrapped up in the five pound note. It sounds like it was both!
I second that--nice list; I like the Lyle Lovett quote. In fact, I think I will stop listening to this disturbing news about the nation's infrastructure and listen to some Lyle Lovett.
Why, to make mercurial ointment, of course: "In the old formula for making mercurialointment, the quicksilver is merely directed to be rubbed with the axunge and suet until it be killed, which is nearly impossible. . ."
from The Edinborugh Medical and Surgical Journal, 1805
Results of a medical test where, "a penlight shone in the mouth reveals a brain so small that the whole head lights up." Doctor humor, or so I hear. ;-) Some days I feel pumpkin positive.
Jen and Reesettee, thank you--you are right. Marji was a good friend whopassed away last March from melanoma. I was felt moved to list some Marji words last week; the word compote triggered the list! Funny, the power of words. :)
I agree, gerwitz--it is so much easier to use the on-line sources. My OED is the two volume set with magnifying glass; it is a major productionfor me to use it. I would love to be able to use the on-line OED but there is no way I could justify the expense for my current purposes.
Then they would need to take a second look, wouldn't they? I remember a perhaps-apocryphal story aout a crusade against the word niggardly. There is enough genuinely racist speech to object to; we don't need to imagine it where it does not exist.
A funny image, R. . .I wonder what the priest's motivation in swinging censors would be. . .would such swinging punish the censor or the congregants? "Church was grim today. I was censor-whipped."
I've seen many references to individual words and reflected on how common the phenomenon is. I will have to dig to find the lists. However, as always, reality intrudes. ;-)
Last stanza of "Terrence, this is Stupid Stuff" by A. E. Housman
There was a king reigned in the East:
There, when kings will sit to feast,
They get their fill before they think
With poisoned meat and poisoned drink.
He gathered all that sprang to birth
From the many-venomed earth;
First a little, thence to more,
He sampled all her killing store;
And easy, smiling, seasoned sound,
Sate the king when healths went round.
They put arsenic in his meat
And stared aghast to watch him eat;
They poured strychnine in his cup
And shook to see him drink it up:
They shook, they stared as white’s their shirt:
Them it was their poison hurt.
—I tell the tale that I heard told.
Mithridates, he died old.
Fried chicken was served at a large family gathering. Little Georgie was offered a piece of chicken: breast or drumstick? He would only reply, "Must have been a mamma chicken." Repeatedly. Insistently. Louder each time. Never lived that down!
Something that produces crumbs or something that is covered with crumbs; something that is of poor quality; a bus used to transfer workers to a job site. Wish I knew how the last meaning evolved (I could speculate, but would like to find some actual evidence. ;-)
Speaking of mythical, my second grade teacher regaled us with stories about Abe the Caveman. I assumed he was a historical figure, like Abraham Lincoln. (Now I don't believe in Abrahan Lincoln. ;-)
Have to think about that--my idea of the south is mostly as told in southern literature, which is of course full of riches. I have had very little reason to spend time in the south, so the region is still a little *unreal* to me.
The female of some animals--Jenny Wren insisted on coming in our house one winter, no matter how many times she was put out. Honest. (Also my grandmother's name--my grandfather-to-be dipped her red braids in the inkwell, I am told)
I never learned to do french braids. Nor did my mother. In second grade, my idea of a perfect life was french braids, sandwiches cut diagonally rather than straight across, and snowball cakes in my lunch. Alas, these things were cruelly withheld from me. Sob.
So right you are. . .in this case wealthy is an old apple variety (which is in the dictionary.) That is, it is an apple variety until someone points out one of the other meanings of the word! It amazes me, too, that we have not even come close to naming all the lexemes used in the English language
slumry commented on the word pediculous
Or silly feet--ped=feet+ridiculous
Aug 13, 2007
slumry commented on the word privy
I have always heard both pronounced the same way, with a short i, rhyming with chivvy.
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the word carbon copy
Apparently you can still buy carbon paper; if I rummaged enough, I probably would find some at home.
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the word time is money
I am also a long time fan of Lakoff.
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the word idiopathic juxtafoveal telangiectasia
You sound as if you have more intimate knowledge of this than you would like.
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the user john
Welcome, Infostyx! I also became an instant addict--I am enjoying your list. Oroboros is right--that delete function seems to be broken.
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the word grandmother
Teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the word carbon copy
What? Never made a carbon copy? What?
Aug 12, 2007
slumry commented on the word time is money
Looks like you have been reading George Lakoff, O.
Aug 11, 2007
slumry commented on the word dyslogistic
In contrast to eulogistic.
Aug 11, 2007
slumry commented on the word phylactery
I think I first read about phylacteries in Chaim Potok's novels. So many books, so little time!
Aug 10, 2007
slumry commented on the word antioxidant
He said he did not need to eat blueberries because he wears his seatbelt. That is what he said. *groan here*
Aug 10, 2007
slumry commented on the word solipsism
Oh, Reesetee, you mean I really do have voices in my head, too? In that case, I also wonder why I can't get them all to agree with each other.
I think I will opt to simply enjoy the illusion.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word solipsism
It was a memorable conversation, U.
And R--I feel sure you will fill your suitcase with plenty of Canadianisms!
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word solipsism
*Green with envy*
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word empurple
It happens. Old abandoned cameras, that sort of thing. :)
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word conbobberation
I like it!
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word empurple
I like this word! When very old Kodak film is developed, the pictures are all purplish--a phenomenon I saw demonstrated this week. Our 20 year old selves all all empurpled.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word favorited
I agree, with you, U (amazing, I know). These idiosyncratic lists are fun. I also like to frustrate myself by looking at the inscrutable lists where it is hard to see what the lister was getting at.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word solipsism
Okay, I am getting separation anxiety now. I will miss you two voices in my head next week. (Dear S calls all of you my imaginary friends). U, give your regards to Granny Smith. R, do you to care to give us any hint of your vacation plans?
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word cathexis
Any particular writing's of Wilber's that you can cite on that subject?
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word solipsism
Are you sure? It may be very lonely!
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word solipsism
Well, he should care--if you are a part of him, he would be diminished by your absence. Says Judge Slumry. So there.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word save
And just wait until I start in on the word fancy!
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word save
Oooh, I hadn't thought of that!
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word save
Invective and spleen and treason too? Wow! Am I a Wordie heretic? Will I be burned on a pyre?
I will join with my conbrethren and found the Savesave sect.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the list a-bazillion-imaginary-numbers
This is a great list, and enlightening. I am going to add umpty-umpth to my words, because I particulary like it as an ordinal.
I like infinity minus one a lot too, U. It reminds me of the old joke about the natural history museum docent. Asked how old a particular fossil was, he said "Two million and twenty one years." As explanation for such a precise number, he explained that when he started working there 21 years ago, it was two million years old.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word stuff and nonsense
It always amuses me--it was a favorite of my mother's, usually used semi-humorously.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word cathexis
That is interesting. As I recall, one of Freud's translators more or less coined this word as a translation of a German word that means someting like "to occupy" If a person cathects something, he or she invests emotional energy in it and makes it his own. Bruno Bettelheim wrote a book about what he regarded as the mis-translation of Freud's writing.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word save
Stuff and nonsense! Eyewash! Save is a perfectly fine preposition, having evolved in parallel with the other sense of save. It does mean except.
As for having cofusingly contranymic meanings, that is just balderdash. It may be a near-contranym, but in practice it would take a real dunderhead to fail to understand the two meanings.
Aug 9, 2007
slumry commented on the word rugose
Rosa rugosa has wringkly leaves
Aug 8, 2007
slumry commented on the word eyewash
Used as an expression of disbelief; poppycock
Aug 8, 2007
slumry commented on the word carbuncle
"We sailed for America, and there made certain preparations. This took but little time. Two members of my family elected to go with me. Also a carbuncle. The dictionary says a carbuncle is a kind of jewel. Humor is out of place in a dictionary."
Mark Twain, Following the Equator, Chapter 1, page 1
Aug 8, 2007
slumry commented on the list poetrie-the-emperor-of-ice-cream
Thank you for this Poetrie, Reesettee!
Aug 7, 2007
slumry commented on the word celestial
As a noun, celestial refers to a heavenly being, a god or angel.
Aug 7, 2007
slumry commented on the word metempsychosis
the doctrine of transmigration of souls into another body
Aug 7, 2007
slumry commented on the word hand-handled
That's what the sign on the peaches at the grocery store said.
Aug 6, 2007
slumry commented on the word furibund
deranged
Aug 6, 2007
slumry commented on the word badminton
Bad mitten! Bad mitten! Go to your room, mitten!
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the word edulcorate
There are some words I just can't pass up; this is one.
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the word postprandial
This word makes me blush--then I remember: food--it is food they are talking about.
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the list poetrie-the-owl-and-the-pussycat
Aw gee. . .I am glad you did that. I love Edward Lear. I was trying to recall if it was the honey or the money that was wrapped up in the five pound note. It sounds like it was both!
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the word mercurochrome
Oh, I must add mercurochrome to my evocative smells list! And speaking of stains, this made me think of gentian violet.
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the list stuffie-see-the-light
a bit of a stretch, maybe, but what about under a bushel?
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the list the-jumblies
Thanks--that was fun to do--and I had to do it, because you had planted an earworm! :)
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the list out-to-sea
sieve? And I just learned that a pink is a small sailing vessel
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the list the-jumblies
Poetrie: The Jumblies
Inspired by Reesetee's Out to Sea list
Aug 3, 2007
slumry commented on the list out-to-sea
I second that--nice list; I like the Lyle Lovett quote. In fact, I think I will stop listening to this disturbing news about the nation's infrastructure and listen to some Lyle Lovett.
Aug 2, 2007
slumry commented on the word axunge
Why, to make mercurial ointment, of course: "In the old formula for making mercurial ointment, the quicksilver is merely directed to be rubbed with the axunge and suet until it be killed, which is nearly impossible. . ."
from The Edinborugh Medical and Surgical Journal, 1805
Aug 2, 2007
slumry commented on the word whimmy
full of whims; whimsical
Aug 2, 2007
slumry commented on the word shibori
a Japanese textile art
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word kumihimo
Japanese braid making
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word bump
Probably an echoic for hitting
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word bumper
a cup or glass filled to the brim
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word passing
surpassingly
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word pud
Formed by apocope from pudding. Used to refer to dessert in general. "What's for pud?
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word mastadon
The extinct animal was a mastodon, not a mastadon.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word slickenside
Sounds like if you tried to walk on it, it would be a slip 'n slide!
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word staghorn moss
a club moss
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word reverb
reverberation
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word anent
a preposition that means in regard to or concerning
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word shake
Cedar shakes look similar to cedar shingles; however, the shakes are split rather than sawn.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word done
Alas, I have offended. I am undone!
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word faineant
a sluggard
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word do-all
a factotum
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word weirdo
Wordie, scrambled
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vendor
Or we could go the other directions and call ourselves Wordors.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word daubery
Yup, less-than-skillful painting at that.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word hooverville
After the eponymous President Hoover--a collection of shacks and huts at the edge of the city where unemployed people lived in the 1930s
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word apatheism
Just a step removed--summed up flippantly by "I don't know and I don't care."
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word hoover
verb: to clean with a vacuum cleaner
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word crumb bum
Ah yes, glad to remember this one.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word caymadian
A Canadian expat who lives in the Cayman Islands. (in jest, of course) Seen on a T shirt worn by an American who would like to pass for Caymadian.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vendition
It is real--from OED--funny, huh?
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vender
OED says: "One who sells; a seller; sometimes in restricted sense, a street-seller."
I have seen it used only in the restricted sense, such as the "food venders" at fairs.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vendor
OED says: "late Anglo-French; earlier vendour from the French vendeur. One who disposes of a thing by sale; a seller." Cf. vender
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vendition
the act of vending; sale
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word dwarfling
a diminutive dwarf
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word fixings
accompaniments or ingredients for food
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word lower
intransitive verb: to be dark and threatening; also lour. noun: an angry or threatening look
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word henbane
Hyoscyamus niger
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word daftberries
Atropa belladonna
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word pappus
It is what allows a dandelion or thistle seed to sail through the air.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word pumpkin positive
Results of a medical test where, "a penlight shone in the mouth reveals a brain so small that the whole head lights up." Doctor humor, or so I hear. ;-) Some days I feel pumpkin positive.
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word toreador
bullfighter; also toreadors, a style of pants worn by women in the 1950s
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vie en rose
life as seen through rose-tinted glasses
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word vielle
hurdy gurdy
Aug 1, 2007
slumry commented on the word stramonium
dried leaves of jimson weed
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word stinkweed
a name for jimson weed and other plants
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word jimson weed
datura stramonium
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word atropine
also daturine
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word daturine
a poisonous alkaloid, also called atropine
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word crataegus
a genus of small trees in the rose family
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word hawthorn
several species of crataegus are called hawthorn
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word thorn apple
datura stramonium; also the fruit of the hawthorn
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word datura stramonium
datura, jimson weed, stinkweed or thorn apple; a poisonous tropical plant
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word dwayberry
atropa belladonna, most commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word dory
a small fishing boat; also walleye
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word wallydacker
walleye
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word walleye
walleyed pike, dory
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word creme broulee
custard
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word flan
custard
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word custard
Mmm...custard. Dang, I should make some custard.
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the word donaught
a donothing; a slacker
Jul 31, 2007
slumry commented on the list to-marji
Thanks--you are right, these words represent wonderful memories.
Jul 30, 2007
slumry commented on the word whyever
Maybe I could gut most of the rooms in my house and install bookshelves and reading nooks--oh wait, my SO would have an opinion, too. Rats!
Jul 30, 2007
slumry commented on the word whyever
You are so right, R. I am trying to figure out where to put all my books as it is--but dictionaries, and especially OED, are sacred, aren't they? :)
Jul 30, 2007
slumry commented on the list to-marji
Jen and Reesettee, thank you--you are right. Marji was a good friend whopassed away last March from melanoma. I was felt moved to list some Marji words last week; the word compote triggered the list! Funny, the power of words. :)
Jul 30, 2007
slumry commented on the word whyever
I agree, gerwitz--it is so much easier to use the on-line sources. My OED is the two volume set with magnifying glass; it is a major productionfor me to use it. I would love to be able to use the on-line OED but there is no way I could justify the expense for my current purposes.
Jul 30, 2007
slumry commented on the word whyever
Actually, whyever is in the OED. And whyever shouldn't it be?
Jul 30, 2007
slumry commented on the word grouk
Scottish--slowly enlivening after waking. A word I need!
Jul 29, 2007
slumry commented on the word multivious
obsolete--having many paths
Jul 29, 2007
slumry commented on the word transubstantiation
Funny, I had the opposite reaction: "Aha, makes sense to me."
Jul 29, 2007
slumry commented on the word charivari
also shivaree, which is phonetic
Jul 28, 2007
slumry commented on the word etymological fallacy
Beware the etymological fallacy.
Jul 28, 2007
slumry commented on the list last-words-before-death
This was a very disturbing bit of information in today's news, wasn't it?
Jul 27, 2007
slumry commented on the list player-roster
Sigh. Yes, an unavoidable bit of reality, isn't it:)
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the list player-roster
I would imagine that we will need to figure out a time that is good for all of us, since we all have commitments and are in different time zones.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word snigger
Then they would need to take a second look, wouldn't they? I remember a perhaps-apocryphal story aout a crusade against the word niggardly. There is enough genuinely racist speech to object to; we don't need to imagine it where it does not exist.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the list player-roster
As the newcomer, I defer to the rest of you.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the list player-roster
Hey, U--good to see you.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word agape
unselfish love or mouth wide open
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word hoofing
walking
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word censer
I can empathize!
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word highgrade
To select the best portion; cherry pick
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word confab
an informal conversation, especially for the purpose of problem solving; short for confabulation. Let's have a confab!
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the list player-roster
Me too!
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word carbos
carbohydrates
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word snigger
snicker
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word npr
National Public Radio, of course
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word censer
Ah yes, that phenomenon, she blushed, recalling the upwelling of giggles at her own wedding, which was fortunately a tiny wedding.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word salmon
Thanks, R.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word oikonomia
I wondered about what pigs had to to with it too! Of course that was what attracted me to the word. The truth turned out to be interesting also.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word oikonomia
often contrasted with chrematistics. For example: http://books.google.com/books?id=nNU3Kjg4rhgC&pg=PA67&dq=chrematistics&sig=bf6DOSb-qSn6o_gcTauXag8iaJw
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word oikonomia
household management Greek root of economics
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word echolocation
I have decided maybe I like tonocation; now what is the liguistics term for dropping a middle syllable, in this case lo?
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word salmon
I know a Swedish woman who pronounces it that way. It is actually charming. :)
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word spawn
As in salmon's imperative
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word echolocation
Thanks, palooka, this is a word well worth pilfering.
Now, I wonder what word this could spawn to describe the process of looking for a cell phone by dialing its number.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word sadsome
I like the word too. I think I will tuck it away in a drawer--it might make a good Christmas present. I hope I don't forget where I put it!
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word censer
Yes, my mother always warned me to avoid sacrilege. Chastened.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word sadsome
I wonder if the job requires stagged pants.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word censer
A funny image, R. . .I wonder what the priest's motivation in swinging censors would be. . .would such swinging punish the censor or the congregants? "Church was grim today. I was censor-whipped."
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word crestfallen
Indeed. But don't tell him I told you so! :)
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word crestfallen
I've seen many references to individual words and reflected on how common the phenomenon is. I will have to dig to find the lists. However, as always, reality intrudes. ;-)
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word crestfallen
Dear S always says chestfallen. We need a list of words that are comically mispronounced, whether accidentally or on purpose.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word fieldfare
Nice. So it's a bird, not a farmer's lunch. I devoutly hope it is not a farmer's lunch. :(
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word mithridatism
R, you inspire me to give this link to the full poem: http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/5194
I often think of lines from the poem, especially
"Ale man, ale's the stuff to drink
For fellows whom it hurts to think."
Victuals is a classic case of a word that a reader would be likely to mispronounce!
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word mithridatism
Last stanza of "Terrence, this is Stupid Stuff" by A. E. Housman
There was a king reigned in the East:
There, when kings will sit to feast,
They get their fill before they think
With poisoned meat and poisoned drink.
He gathered all that sprang to birth
From the many-venomed earth;
First a little, thence to more,
He sampled all her killing store;
And easy, smiling, seasoned sound,
Sate the king when healths went round.
They put arsenic in his meat
And stared aghast to watch him eat;
They poured strychnine in his cup
And shook to see him drink it up:
They shook, they stared as white’s their shirt:
Them it was their poison hurt.
—I tell the tale that I heard told.
Mithridates, he died old.
Jul 26, 2007
slumry commented on the word hypocorism
Fortunately for me I don't expect to be asked to pronounce it anytime soon!
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word hypocoristic
Not at all! I changed to hypocorism, but forgot to eliminate all traces of my presence here. Somehow pet name loses something in this deal.
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word diphthongization
Funny word, no? "She had to go to the dressing room to complete her diphthongization. Fortunately she emerged wearing a towel."
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word hypocorism
a pet name
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word folk etymology
altering an unfamiliar word to make it more familiar
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word conjunct
An adverb with a chiefly connecting function; a conjunctive adverb
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word underextension
use of a word to refer to only part of its normal meaning
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word diphthongization
To add a diphthongal quality to what was formerly a pure vowel
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word censer
I swear, every time I read about cencers, they are being swung by the priest.
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word bones
Fried chicken was served at a large family gathering. Little Georgie was offered a piece of chicken: breast or drumstick? He would only reply, "Must have been a mamma chicken." Repeatedly. Insistently. Louder each time. Never lived that down!
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word fud
an acronymn coined by whathisniame; also a fuddy-duddy (bacformation)
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word crummy
Something that produces crumbs or something that is covered with crumbs; something that is of poor quality; a bus used to transfer workers to a job site. Wish I knew how the last meaning evolved (I could speculate, but would like to find some actual evidence. ;-)
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word typeractive
Thanks! I know sometimes I get a bit carried away, and I am mindful of that *reality* thing. I love chatting with you Wordies!
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word keeper
What one is to one's brother?
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word china
Cute comment about VIers, R. I almost missed it. Somehow I am doubtful . . .
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word china
U, U are a silly billy! (and I don't care what your name is, I will call you Silly Billy Smith.
Listen up: Uniters is not a good idea.
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word typeractive
Me too, R. This word is a keeper! Thanks, Muamor.
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word moggy
Cat (or kitty) A word I learned from and Eric Bogle song
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word doohickey
wotsit
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word thingamajig
doohickey
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word whatchamacallit
thingamajig
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word whatsit
whatchamacallit
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word wotsit
Is it like a whatsit?
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the list johnny-appleseed
I'll see what I can do!
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word china
I wondered about douban also. Turns out two of the people who recently listed douban also listed China. description of douban here: http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2005/12/13/douban
Now I understand why the appearance of these words surprised me--they are outside of my usual frame of reference.
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word déjà vu
That's funny, Cranewang. ;-)
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the list laochenstudent-s-words
Welcome! I hope you enjoy it here.
Jul 25, 2007
slumry commented on the word multi
a pattern of several colors
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word hail-fellow well met
Noun. A very sociable, agreeable person--a friend to everyone.
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word eskimo pie
Speaking of mythical, my second grade teacher regaled us with stories about Abe the Caveman. I assumed he was a historical figure, like Abraham Lincoln. (Now I don't believe in Abrahan Lincoln. ;-)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word granny smith
Please tell Granny Smith hello for me. :)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word bivouac
You mean three syllables like: "I don't biv uh wack!" (that was a joke, by the way--could not resist a little word play)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word bivy sack
a cover for a sleeping bag that is sometimes used by backpackers and hikers instead of a tent, or for emergencies. (short for bivouac, of course)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word preantepenultimate
This word makes me laugh.
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word eskimo sky
Have to think about that--my idea of the south is mostly as told in southern literature, which is of course full of riches. I have had very little reason to spend time in the south, so the region is still a little *unreal* to me.
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the list johnny-appleseed
Happily! Do you have a fax number?
Really, I like to make apple pie (except when the crust will not hold together)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word irenic
conciliatory
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word laminitis
Poor horse!
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word meretricious
Quite different than meritorious
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word contrabulous fabtraption
Or this wonderful song:
http://www.etni.org.il/music/marveloustoy.htm
(and an appropriate website for usall.)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word contrabulous fabtraption
Makes me think of the Wonderful One Horse Shay
http://www.legallanguage.com/poems/onehossshay.htm
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the list shouldn-t-be-a-word
Well, it is an informal word, useful in some spoken contexts, but not in formal writing. Context is everything!
And then there was Shakespeare, but what did he know? ;-)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word french-braid
Probably if I had asked to have the sandwiches cut on the diagonal, my wish would have been granted, barring memory lapses! ;-)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word jenny
Not exactly opposite--I think joey refers to babyhood rather than gender. I wonder if a baby female kangaroo is a joey too.
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word jenny
The female of some animals--Jenny Wren insisted on coming in our house one winter, no matter how many times she was put out. Honest. (Also my grandmother's name--my grandfather-to-be dipped her red braids in the inkwell, I am told)
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word french-braid
I never learned to do french braids. Nor did my mother. In second grade, my idea of a perfect life was french braids, sandwiches cut diagonally rather than straight across, and snowball cakes in my lunch. Alas, these things were cruelly withheld from me. Sob.
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word sitting duck
Or seated duffs. Better get off mine soon!
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word marzipan
Uh oh!
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word wealthy
So right you are. . .in this case wealthy is an old apple variety (which is in the dictionary.) That is, it is an apple variety until someone points out one of the other meanings of the word! It amazes me, too, that we have not even come close to naming all the lexemes used in the English language
Jul 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word marzipan
If I buy any marzipan, I will have to hide it with the Eskimo Pies. ;-)
Jul 24, 2007