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Wordnik is billions of words, over a billion example sentences, 8,010,852 unique words, 249,369 comments, 192,750 tags, 121,651 pronunciations, 145,637 favorites and 1,607,816 words in 40,568 lists created by 115,861 Wordniks.
Wordnik is billions of words, over a billion example sentences, 8,010,852 unique words, 249,369 comments, 192,750 tags, 121,651 pronunciations, 145,637 favorites and 1,607,816 words in 40,568 lists created by 115,861 Wordniks.
qms commented on the word shitfire
Patrik O'Brian fans will recall the "Cacafuego," which is the word in Spanish. (See also cacafuego.) He applied it to a different ship, different era, different ocean. He just couldn't resist using it, although he never supplied a translation. The man loved a brawny word.
March 11, 2014
ry commented on the word shivered
this could go on hernesheir's list of heraldry terms
March 11, 2014
knitandpurl commented on the word pawky
"Mr. McLintock nodded, with a pawky sort of grin."
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1 by Diana Wynne Jones, p 538
March 11, 2014
ry commented on the word shitfire
see note under spitfire
March 11, 2014
ry commented on the word spitfire
interesting note about the development of spitfire/shitfire on etymonline.com; apparently “shitfire” originally appeared meaning cannon; “spitfire” was a euphemization of same. The reference to a volatile personality (one who “spits fire”) came much later.
March 11, 2014
ry commented on the word shit-fire
see shitfire
March 11, 2014
alexz commented on the word level 8
network communication is based on 7 layers from hardware, low level packets, to interfaces. Level 8 refers to the user.
March 11, 2014
cna commented on the user cna
Madridista Until die
March 11, 2014
ry commented on the word Glasswipes
I like it. somewhat lessens the (subjective) vulgarity and specifically denigrates ability, intelligence and social standing where the other term is, depending on context, either a generalized and pointless epithet, or needlessly histrionic
March 11, 2014
alexz commented on the word Glasswipes
another insult for Google glass wearers, seen in The Register
March 11, 2014
ry commented on the word will advise
— urbandictionary.com Word of the Day, 2014-03-11cf. please advise.
March 11, 2014
tinadazzle commented on the list words-to-describe-the-taste-of-food
my word is gelatinous. By the way, Why don't you use favoritewords.com for your list? It's a free tool, lacks some features but it's still in beta, so... I am pretty sure you'll love using it. Thanks for posting your words.
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list gut--1
what about guttersnipes &c?
March 11, 2014
qms commented on the word cautelous
It's an odd pair of definitions for this word. It could serve to characterize both the grifter and his elusive quarry.
A cautelous is a wily man
And cautelous too if wary.
He’s certain to deceive himself
And find that very scary.
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list its-like-1997-all-over-again
Ditto!
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list everyones-a-critic
I read Ulysses before Portrait and Dubliners, and it's so different from them I'm not sure how necessary they are. Personally I like an edition with copious endnotes but they're not essential either. Once I read it parallel with the Odyssey which was great fun (though you have to monkey with the order of the books/chapters to make it fit). It's really not that "difficult" a novel. I'm reading "The Recognitions" at the moment which is more difficult than Ulysses.
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the word toady
*holds lighter in air*
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list everyones-a-critic
YES
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list quaintnesses
Adorable list!
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list the-goldfinch
I finally got around to reading The Secret History, so I'll probably get to The Goldfinch in 2035.
March 11, 2014
yarb commented on the list ute
It's Swiss, according to the cite provided by bilby. So I'm thinking of something like a row of hobbit holes, in an alp, with optional raclette.
March 11, 2014
qms commented on the word clodhopper
Somewhere she gives birth to a pauper
Each minute, a new future clodhopper.
There is nothing surer:
The world will grow poorer
Till we find that woman and stop her.
March 11, 2014
alexz commented on the list glitches-in-wordnik
You're welcome.
I'll remove these words from the list then.
March 11, 2014
bilby commented on the list ute
Hmmm. Why am I thinking of Japan?
March 11, 2014
madmouth commented on the list ute
drive-in sex box is the logical extension of the coffee drive-thrus staffed by the bikini-clad...or does it already exist?!
March 11, 2014
madmouth commented on the list quaintnesses
puppy water - beauty's help
distilled from Tripsy's darling whelp!
March 11, 2014
ajayguhan commented on the word poignant
The film ends with a soliloquy by Telly about how without sex he would have nothing to live for, as well as a poignant look at several early-morning junkies on the streets of New York City. Kids 1995
March 11, 2014
ajayguhan commented on the word poignant
The film ends with a soliloquy by Telly about how without sex he would have nothing to live for, as well as a poignant look at several early-morning junkies on the streets of New York City.
March 11, 2014
ajayguhan commented on the word quip
The civic body is planning to provide some temporary cover to the food serving area here. “We want to ensure that rain or sun does not come to create obstacles for the scheme,” an officer quipped.
March 11, 2014
erinmckean commented on the list glitches-in-wordnik
As much as I love the surreality of this list, I'm going through and correcting the errors. :-)
Thank you for listing them!
March 10, 2014
ry commented on the word farraginaceous
— Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms, Frederic Sturges Allen, 1920derived, I assume, from farrago.
March 10, 2014
siobion commented on the user siobion
it means shivon irish
March 10, 2014
ry commented on the word af
internet abbreviation of as fuck; as in, "cold af," "sexy af"
March 10, 2014
ry commented on the list flotilla
https://www.wordnik.com/lists/a-list-of-his-majesty-s-i-ships-i-and-vessels-in-the-i-royal-navy-i-1748
March 10, 2014
alexz commented on the word Goxed
seen in the BBC. article. http://m.bbc.com/news/technology-26387800. "It's time that MtGox got the Bitcoin community's wrath instead of the Bitcoin community getting Goxed,"
March 10, 2014
alexz commented on the word I am an alumni
good point. I think that English frequently breaks Latin rules.
March 10, 2014
qms commented on the word whock
See also thwock, at which entry the definition is a bit askance but the usage examples feature volleys of tennis balls. Perhaps Ms Tartt dislikes the Castilian pronunciation.
March 10, 2014
qms commented on the word minute-jack
The "inconstancy" suggestion here is some lexicographer being too clever by half. "Time server" in the pejorative sense means someone who lacks a true commitment to the task. Rather than working toward the goal he merely puts in his time. The minute-jack is *defined* by his constancy. He is time's loyal servant.
The convict who's doing time in stir
And clock-watching worker concur.
No minute-jack knows
The highs and the lows
Of the time serving connoisseur.
The clockwork man's useful power
Is to toll the time from atop the tower.
It brings no shame
To invoke his name.
The minute-jack is the man of the hour.
March 10, 2014
stuartmathergibson commented on the user stuartmathergibson
psellismofile nebulofily: abnormality of becoming sexually aroused by the sound of someone stuttering in the fog.
March 10, 2014
bilby commented on the word whock
Thank you.
March 10, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the user raygunshaun
Just saw your comment about deleting words from a list--I sometimes have luck going to the offending word's page, then unselecting it from my list of lists lower down on the page.
March 10, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the word whock
Sorry, bilby! Sometimes, improbably, I forget how well you pay attention. Here's its source--just a little sentence from The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: "All summer long I had been practically delirious: tingling, daffy, energized, running on gin and shrimp cocktail and the invigorating whock of tennis balls."
March 10, 2014
bilby commented on the list quaintnesses
make water
March 10, 2014
raygunshaun commented on the list of-montreal--1
why is it all of a sudden impossible to delete a goddamn word from a list
March 9, 2014
bilby commented on the word whock
Any definitions?
March 9, 2014
bilby commented on the word sea-angel
More! Gimme more gelatinous hermaphrodites!
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/sea_angels?source=relatedvideo
March 9, 2014
bilby commented on the word sea-angel
Such a graceful little thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB5recdpPaI
March 9, 2014
bilby commented on the word scalder
Did you find a Scandinavian poet?
March 9, 2014
bilby commented on the user elmo1934
See oxidant.
(Go west young man!).
March 9, 2014
Sunny888 commented on the list ash--1
thanx buddy
March 9, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the word scalder
Ah, you've caught the bug. I already have my own list: http://www.wordnik.com/lists/things-i-never-find-at-rummage-sales-or-second-hand-stores (though yesterday I *was* able to purchase a corn-cob pipe, a fake monocle, and a blue beret).
March 9, 2014
qms commented on the word raglan
The Charge of the Light Brigade, Oct. 25, 1854, was a botched military maneuver during the Crimean War that would be forgotten but for the monument of Tennyson's poem and for the coincidental involvement of men and places that gave their names to articles of clothing.
Lord Cardigan's men gave it their best
Charging the guns at Raglan's behest.
That battle marmoreal
Was oddly sartorial;
At Balaclava they died well-dressed.
March 9, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the word I am an alumni
What about "alumna?"
March 9, 2014
fbharjo commented on the word chere
Middle English:
chere (n.(1)) Also cher, chiere, chir(e, cheir.
OF chiere, chere (from L cara, ultim. Gr. kára macron head).
1.The human face; casten ~ upon, look at (sb.); the face or presence (of God); (b) the face (of a flower, star); surface.
2.The face as expressing emotion, attitude, or character; facial expression, mien; glad of ~, with glade ~, etc.; (b) maken chere, make a (certain) face, assume or display a (certain) mien or expression; maken cheres, make faces, grimace.
3.A gesture or act indicative of an attitude or intention; (b) outward appearance or show; display (of emotion); insincere show of affection; feined ~; frend of ~, insincere friend.
4.The way in which one behaves; manner, bearing, behavior, or an instance of it; bele ~, ~ of court, polite or courtly manner.
5.Frame of mind, state of feeling, spirit; mood, humor; casten ~ upon, set one's heart upon (sth.); chaungen ~, change (one's) mood or mind, esp. for the better; menden ~; of on ~, of one mind; god ~, good spirit, cheerfulness, gladness; (b) good cheer or humor; gladness, happiness, joy; taken ~ on honde, take heart, become cheerful; (c) what chere? how do you feel?, how are you?; (d) maken chere, to be in a (certain) mood; maken god ~, be of good cheer; maken (rial) ~, make merry, feast; etc.
6. Kindness, friendliness, sympathy, hospitality (as shown a visitor or friend); glad ~, god ~; haven ~, enjoy someone's hospitality; haven ~ unto, be kind to (sb.); haven in ~, cherish (sb.); (b) short, ungodli ~, unkind reception or treatment (of a visitor).
7. maken (sb.) chere, to treat (sb.) kindly or hospitably; welcome, entertain; also, to humor, amuse, or flatter (sb.); of a dog: to fawn; maken swich ~, treat in such a way (that); (b) maken fair, glad, god, gret ~, to receive or treat (sb.) kindly, affectionately, or hospitably.
U of Mich Middle English Dict
March 9, 2014
ry commented on the word scalder
ok, that's enough, I have to copycat hernesheir's never on Craigslist concept with my own list
March 9, 2014
alexz commented on the word I am an alumni
has beat out "I am an alumnus". http://googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1;="I+am+an+alumnus"&word2;="I+am+an+alumni"
March 9, 2014
elmo1934 commented on the user elmo1934
oxidant
March 8, 2014
elmo1934 commented on the user elmo1934
is oxidant a word
March 8, 2014
theanadroid commented on the list k-man-pilkers
Lemonade's in the fridge, next to the yogurt that you can have a chat with.
March 8, 2014
bilby commented on the list k-man-pilkers
Just give them another 7.6% and make them home-made grapefruit lemonade.
March 8, 2014
bilby commented on the word toady
*lights candle*
March 8, 2014
qms commented on the word limitrophe
It's a grandiose pose he affects.
It shows in the words he selects.
Though peasants may scoff
He'll use "limitrophe"
Where the vulgar would settle for "next."
March 8, 2014
theanadroid commented on the list k-man-pilkers
Yoofays.
March 8, 2014
Anatom commented on the list word-licious
demeanour
March 8, 2014
deinonychus commented on the word puppy pregnancy syndrome
"People suffering from this condition believe that shortly after being bitten by a dog, puppies are conceived within their abdomen." (Wikipedia)
March 8, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the word toady
There's a frog I'm fond of, but she's been absent for ages.
March 7, 2014
bilby commented on the word toady
Maybe not too late to celebrate International Women's Day with all your toad friends?
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the list everyones-a-critic
I've been reading a biography of Sylvia Beach, and Ulysses is a big part of it--so I'm interested (which is probably half the battle).
March 7, 2014
qms commented on the word cacoethes
Luther while writing his theses
Strained at producing his feces.
He scribbled the lot
While perched on the pot
In service to both cacoethes.
March 7, 2014
madmouth commented on the list its-like-1997-all-over-again
I am awed by this list's brevity, wryness, and the fine glint of Waughsian foreign-correspondent lunacy in its eye
March 7, 2014
qms commented on the list everyones-a-critic
"Ulysses" is wildly different from his earlier fiction, but anyone who hangs out in Wordnik will find much to like in it. If you hang out too much in Wordnik you might end up writing "Finnegan's Wake."
March 7, 2014
ry commented on the list everyones-a-critic
most people say to read Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist... first, as a kind of ramp-up. then Ulysses (& only then, finally Finnegan's Wake). I don't know, i only ever read the first one in that sequence.
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the list everyones-a-critic
So I just checked out a copy of Ulysses. Should I actually read it?
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the list being-a-tool
Nice work.
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the list gut--1
Gotta have guts to list things here.
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the list personifications
I know what you mean about the capitalized words. We should go through and tag them all to their uncapitalized versions!
*left eyelid starts twitching*
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the word toady
"A coarse rustic woman." Thanks, Century Dictionary.
March 7, 2014
ry commented on the list personifications
I've now ransacked it! Thanks much ruzuzu.
I hate to add the capitalized words when they are already listed as lowercase forms but i have to go as the cacoethes moves me
March 7, 2014
ry commented on the word rap-full
could go on a list of sailing or nautical words
March 7, 2014
qms commented on the word uhtceare
A word was spoke by folk long dead
That names the fears of a care-tossed bed.
It tells of terrors spun
While awaiting the sun,
Wound in the folds of fierce dawn-dread.
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the list agentive-exocentric--v-n-n-compounds
In the meantime, your talk was awesome. Thank you, TankHughes.
And I vote for obscure ones, too!
March 7, 2014
qms commented on the word baudrons
Another morning spent shivering in the Scottish annex to the English language, warmed only by the thought of Irish poetry.
Yeats' passions included some odd ones:
His myths and his spirits - his Maude Gonnes.
But even old Willie
Was never so silly
As to join in the worship of baudrons.
March 7, 2014
deinonychus commented on the word mummyberry
Yes, ruzuzu there should be a list! Surely there must be some vampires that should fit in too...
March 7, 2014
ruzuzu commented on the word dauer
See comments on dauer tower.
March 7, 2014
deinonychus commented on the word dauer tower
This article contained lots of good stuff:
"At some point during its early days, P.pacificus pauses its growth and becomes a dauer—an especially tough larva that’s adapted to survive through harsh conditions."
"groups of P.pacificus can merge to form a single waving 'dauer tower', composed of up to a thousand individuals."
"Such teamwork! Such togetherness! Such low odds of ever appearing on a motivational poster!"
March 7, 2014
bilby commented on the list k-man-pilkers
Congress tart.
March 7, 2014
ry commented on the list k-man-pilkers
i empathize. i have a notebook like that. know it hasn't been thrown out but i haven't been able to find it for a couple years
March 7, 2014
theanadroid commented on the list k-man-pilkers
I wish I could find the notebook that I used to write these down
March 7, 2014
jpinkowsky commented on the user jpinkowsky
My students are going to love this!!
March 7, 2014
bilby commented on the word ughten
*pulls up a comfy chair to wait until qms comes along with a jaunty limerick*
March 7, 2014
AnWulf commented on the word ughten
Ughten is that "restless hour before the dawn" ... Forsyth, Horologicon, The NED (the forerunner of the OED) calls it "the part of the night immediately before daybreak ..."
It's from ME ughten ‘the time of twilight before dawn’, from OE ūht ‘the time right before daybreak’ (Bosworth-Toller). Likely from an objectiv case as in ‘on uhtan’.
As for how it is said, the 'gh' is silent as in night, sight, bight, light but which shows that the fore-vowel is long thus it would likely be said as ooten or yooten. Yes, the 'gh' might hav once been said like the 'ch' in 'loch' or German 'ich' but not anymore. However, Ormulum wrote 'uhhtenn'. The two h's make the fore-vowel short ... likely not short like in 'ug' but short like 'oohten' rather than 'yooten'.
March 7, 2014
bilby commented on the word countercaster
I like the idea of insulting someone by likening them to an accountant.
March 7, 2014
bilby commented on the list k-man-pilkers
Ha, this list is gold.
And despite the obvious risks, it makes me want to sit in a bath of pineapple chunks.
March 7, 2014
bilby commented on the list agentive-exocentric--v-n-n-compounds
Your link to Gapeseeds et al is borked.
March 7, 2014
hernesheir commented on the list agentive-exocentric--v-n-n-compounds
My list of compound derogative terms, Gapeseeds and Muckworms, contains many others.
March 6, 2014
hernesheir commented on the list agentive-exocentric--v-n-n-compounds
List the obscure ones too Tank!
March 6, 2014
TankHughes commented on the list agentive-exocentric--v-n-n-compounds
thanks hemesheir. Spurred by your comment, I've added more of the common and modern examples. I have a huge Excel spreadsheet of the 500+ I found in my research, but it doesn't seem helpful to list all of the obscure ones here.
Interested parties can watch my 2013 Ignite Portland talk about these compounds: http://youtu.be/x1pYC0AAbJ0
March 6, 2014
ry commented on the word kill-devil
old term for rum
March 6, 2014
hernesheir commented on the list agentive-exocentric--v-n-n-compounds
cutpurse
March 6, 2014
ry commented on the list k-man-pilkers
I'm reading these in his voice in my head, and giggling like a schoolgirl
March 8, 2014