You're right - abrupt/harsh or slow. That makes sense of a lot of the words listed. Not sure I can agree on cranberries, but maybe there's some etymology I'm missing out on. Care to enlighten us, 'zuzu?
Always insist on a sheathed cuke? Reminds me of the safe sex informational activities they held at my dorm when I was a freshman. We actually used cucumbers.
Strangely, when I typed "cuke" the autocorrect on my phone wanted to replace it with "vile"! Everybody has an opinion, I guess.
A cruciform-twinned crystal of staurolite, used as a curio stone without fashioning for adornment. The term is also applied as a syn. of staurolite, and esp. to the variety occurring in the form of a twinned crystal. See also: staurolite b. Any of various odd or fantastically shaped calcareous or ferruginous concretions formed in alluvial clays. (Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms)
A sentence composed by Noam Chomsky in his 1957 Syntactic Structures as an example of a sentence that is grammatically correct (logical form) but semantically nonsensical. The term was originally used in his 1955 thesis Logical Structures of Linguistic Theory. The sentence has no understandable meaning, and therefore demonstrates the distinction between Syntax and Semantics. As an example of a category mistake, it was used to show inadequacy of the then-popular probabilistic models of grammar, and the need for more structured models. (Wikipedia)
Hmm, when I think "madding" I automatically think "crowd," which is kind of what I'm going for here, but that might be just because that quote is used so often. Let me check examples.
Edit: looks like it's often used with the whole "far from the" intact, but not always. Added.
There are so many comments in strange places stating "plinth" like it's a battle cry, spoon-style , I thought for sure there would be fun comments here.
North American trail marks are sometimes called "ducks" or "duckies", because they sometimes have a "beak" pointing in the direction of the route. The expression "two rocks do not make a duck" reminds hikers that just one rock resting upon another could be the result of accident or nature rather than intentional trail marking.
Groaning board is unfamiliar to me, rolig - is it really very common in either speech or literature? And is it a collocation or a compound name for something (like tea chest)?
I'm very curious how words get into the "trending" list at the bottom of the community page. Cat and jelly shoes have been there forever. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy? We see that they're trending, so we click on them to see what all the fuss is about, and we make them more trendy?
I had never heard this word before I heard it in a dream. In the dream, it was announced as the name of an ancient local deity at the site of an archeological excavation.
No problem, Wordplayer! I added everyone whose comment showed in the zeitgeist for the last 3 days (at the time). I'll continue as I see people who didn't come up before!
The upside down fruit bat (I assume - fruit boot makes less sense, although fruit boat could work ... ) is broken. And am I the only one who can't see the characters in the middle?
I can't decide! Every poem or no poem? To decide, perchance to forget? Whether 'tis nobler in mind to read them all, the poems and sonnets of outrageous authorship, or to make decisions against a sea of poems and by deciding, leave them.
Ah, I see we are working from multiple definitions of read! So this complicates the question: a poem can be read (def. 1) multiple times but still not read (def. 2)!
Sorry, those were my flaming fufluns. I did not allow chained_bear to have any since they were whiskey-soaked - I didn't want to be responsible for whiskey-soaked chained_bear cubs. And *wince* I might be responsible for that wodge of pie, too ... dontcry, it appears I owe you a new porch.
Hmm. That's hard to say. Can a poem be read more than once, or does it lose its flavor? How many readings does it take to get to the tootsie-roll center? And, having read the poem once, is it much too late to ever decide not to read the poem?
I can't stand to put a comma or period outside quotes, but exclamation marks and question marks are another story. And I heard that frivolously misusing Australians is only common in Britain.
A low-budget (but not necessarily bad) movie made after a blockbuster using a similar plot and often exploiting on its publicity campaign. (Urban Dictionary)
You're the first person to look up this word on Wordnik! Box clever has been favorited 0 times, listed 0 times, commented on 0 times, and is not a valid Scrabble word.
What are your opinions about using the phrase "classy classic" in reference to a wedding dress, for example? Too redundant? Or have the two connotations diverged enough that they are not?
"Bobo's furniture: what could be said about it? It demanded and invited Lower Empire Posture ... the elegant flop: low small tables with small wagons full of blue glass grapes, low chairs, low everything."
"Misfits like him are given a choice: either exile in one of the surrounding island countries, or to undertake the "dangergeld," a rite of passage rather like the traditional vision quest or wanderjahr, where a young person journeys for many years to find his purpose. Afterwards he may or may not be able to return to Recluce." -from a review of _The Magic of Recluse_ by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Since your examples were mere quotes of the phrase from text, no matter what the source, instead of quotes regarding the actual rules you were citing, I thought you were just interested in seeing the phrase in documented use. It's a common usage of the preposition, that's all I was trying to show. I feel I've been a pretty good sport, considering your rude comment about the language used in my country.
Hm, I'm not finding the rules you cite. I can't search by page (I don't have the book) - are the rules phrased as a direct quote? If not, can you quote them? The rules as you write them seem overly simplified, like something I might teach a student initially, to give them a basic grasp of what the words mean. In reality, they are much more complicated. For instance, a common phrase is "on Saturday, I will go to the market." Saturday is certainly not a surface, do you see what I mean?
Would you consider it rude of me to ask if you are a second language English speaker?
Wordnik is a place for people who love words, phrases, and language in general. Often the discussions are playful, but all here are interested in learning and sharing knowledge.
Oh, I didn't know you had a criteria for the examples. It would have saved time and space if you had said so. I cut off the page numbers, but I can edit them back in if you'd like.
I matched Erin with calepinerienne because I did a desperate google search for the word and her name came up! Now, of course, the search results are flooded with other wordnik comments etc.
I see no instigation, nor cries of rape, although I've never heard of 2nd degree rape. But yes, I am glad to provide examples.
"She models how to add the -ing chunk on the end of the word to make the word dreaming." -Linda J. Dorn, Cathy French, Tammy Jones, _Apprenticeship in literacy: transitions across reading and writing_
"If a word begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), then you just put AY on the end of the word, without taking the first letter away." -Ursula Dubosarsky, _The Word Snoop_
" ... final vowel will frequently occur on the end of the word, depending on the overall word form" -Robert M. W. Dixon, Aleksandra I︠U︡rʹevna Aĭkhenvalʹd, _Word: a cross-linguistic typology_
"... rhythmic balance in long words, the predominant Biblical stress on the end of the word was possible when ..." -Benjamin Harshav, _Language in time of revolution_
"(In the case of simplex words stress is on the end of the word, on the penultimate vowel or on the antepenultimate vowel of the word)" -William Z. Shetter, Inge Van der Cruysse-Van Antwerpen, _Contemporary explorations in the culture of the Low Countries: Volume 9_
"So called, because the force is on the end of the word" -Walter K. Fobes, _Elocution simplified: with an appendix on lisping, stammering_
I like the fact that your examples are from books about English grammar, but I'm curious - are you drawing this opinion from some reference - i.e. have you seen a rule that indicates one over the other?
Deyan, I could list as many examples the other way, but maybe we can just agree to disagree. I would prefer to say "let's agree that it can be either way," but clearly you are immovable.
This is a really interesting page, because somehow I have attributed gender to everyone based on ... I don't know what. Listening to a pronunciation from someone I pegged wrong is really jarring (and fun).
Oh dear. Perhaps I should mention that it doesn't have to be something you personally have done. I mean, really, who pokes a badger with a spoon? I'm sure marky didn't really step on a frog. Right, marky?
Um, wow. Nope. I'm sure a google search for the phrase "on the end of the word" will bring up plenty of examples, and surely some of them will be "undefiled beyond believe," hahaha. Perhaps if you go to on your questions about this somewhat tricky English preposition will be answered.
Well, I am aware that the redundant 's is technically incorrect - I was wondering if people see it as commonly accepted. I seem to hear it a lot and I assume that the reason is that in English we generally use the 's form for possessives instead of the prepositional phrase, so it sounds strange to people's ears - they are over-correcting, I guess.
Generally if the preposition 'of' would refer to the content like in the example you use here, "... in an address of the President's competence," the ambiguity leads most (in my experience) to re-phrase it to make it clear: "... in an address regarding the President's competency." Do others agree?
Prepositions in English are so fickle and high-maintenance. Their meanings seem so vague but their usage is so specific.
As for "on the end," it is correct if I am referring to the word, as in "Obama had an 's on the end." If I were referring to the end of the sentence, the appropriate preposition would be at - "the sentence had an 's at the end."
I think I know why the iPh**e (which I think deserves brackets) version is messing up - looks like they are trying to get a mobile version up and running. My eyes thank you. Hopefully the comments will be viewable on a word, too - right now I can't find them.
This, I think, has been taken incorrectly from context. In the examples listed, the "address" is a speech. For instance, "in an address of President Obama" - the address/speech belongs to Obama. It's not an idiomatic phrase, just a use of "address" meaning "speech."
Since the inversion of the possessive seems strange to our ears, many people add a redundant 's on the end - "in an address of President Obama's" - does anyone know if this is generally accepted?
Wow, this list has a festival-like atmosphere this morning.
If fuflun were a verb, I think there would be either arm-flinging or unicycles involved. I say unicycle because I am picturing a bear fuflunning all around, just because, chained_.
I don't think that can prevent marky in his thanking crusade. I'm pretty sure the reason for the thank you bilby was that he couldn't find bilby's profile to thank him there.
Besides, then how would reesetee help me fix the wounded trees?
If my family can be considered a microcosm of the world in general (which it shouldn't), the war was almost certainly over who was responsible for burning the pie crust.
Comments by blafferty
Show previous 200 comments...
blafferty commented on the word barometz
Oh dear lord, are those what I think they are, madmouth?
June 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the word barometz
Different time zones, I guess. I'm always disappointed when I get on after dinner and everyone's gone to bed.
Very fierce sheep there, sionnach. Good thing I didn't dream of counting barometz last night!
June 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the word barometz
June 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the list phonestheme--cr---or-kr
Oh, that's right. Rapacious Viking of a fruit. I apologize.
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word I dislike ampersands
I could get used to them if I trained myself to think "et" perhaps. Right now, "ampersand cetera" seems awkward.
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word glebe
a. A tract of land containing mineral deposits or ore. b. Obsolete term for a clod of earth, an ore, or an earthy mineral. Arkell
(Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms)
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list memories-of-hk
*makes note to keep a word journal during next trip*
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list phonestheme--cr---or-kr
You're right - abrupt/harsh or slow. That makes sense of a lot of the words listed. Not sure I can agree on cranberries, but maybe there's some etymology I'm missing out on. Care to enlighten us, 'zuzu?
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list phonestheme--cr---or-kr
This is strange ... a lot of these don't seem to fit the phonestheme (at least in my opinion): crawl, cradle, cranberries?
Er, wait - what is the semantic association for /kr/?
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word unwholesome
Synonym for fun
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word by God's Grace
I wonder why grace is capitalized here.
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word We must restore the dignity of this vegetable!
Always insist on a sheathed cuke? Reminds me of the safe sex informational activities they held at my dorm when I was a freshman. We actually used cucumbers.
Strangely, when I typed "cuke" the autocorrect on my phone wanted to replace it with "vile"! Everybody has an opinion, I guess.
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Plinth
Ah! Thank you! Clearly I clicked on the wrong plinth! (I assume.) It's terrible to get caught clicking on somebody else's plinth, don't you think?
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word plinth
After reading all this plith-love, I can no longer take this word seriously.
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lacrymator
Why have you chosen this particular (misspelled?) word to opress with your spammish assault?
June 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the user jasmengleford
Disturbing image, thy name is SPAM ball.
June 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the user jasmengleford
Spam?
June 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the word fairy stone
A cruciform-twinned crystal of staurolite, used as a curio stone without fashioning for adornment. The term is also applied as a syn. of staurolite, and esp. to the variety occurring in the form of a twinned crystal. See also: staurolite b. Any of various odd or fantastically shaped calcareous or ferruginous concretions formed in alluvial clays. (Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms)
June 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the word earth balsam
A variety of asphalt. How's that for irony?
June 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Colorless green ideas sleep furiously
A sentence composed by Noam Chomsky in his 1957 Syntactic Structures as an example of a sentence that is grammatically correct (logical form) but semantically nonsensical. The term was originally used in his 1955 thesis Logical Structures of Linguistic Theory. The sentence has no understandable meaning, and therefore demonstrates the distinction between Syntax and Semantics. As an example of a category mistake, it was used to show inadequacy of the then-popular probabilistic models of grammar, and the need for more structured models. (Wikipedia)
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Hmm, when I think "madding" I automatically think "crowd," which is kind of what I'm going for here, but that might be just because that quote is used so often. Let me check examples.
Edit: looks like it's often used with the whole "far from the" intact, but not always. Added.
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Plinth
There are so many comments in strange places stating "plinth" like it's a battle cry, spoon-style , I thought for sure there would be fun comments here.
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word huitlacoche
I was sure this was going to be an ancient aztec car. Or ... an Aztek
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the list the-several-stages-of-wordie-addiction
I wonder how many wordnik tabs I can have open on my browser at once.
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word wordie commandments
Oh no! I have repeatedly broken the 9th and 10th wordie commandments!
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the list please-pass-the-ly
Oo, no! Thanks! It's true, every potential wordie list is an existing wordie list!
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word moro reflex
I'm very curious why "fucking pro-mitts" was never bracketed. Or varying lengths of that sentence of Yarb's.
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word 867-5309
Mr. Prime Number Tester says yes.
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word I dislike ampersands
*wishes cigarette breaks were called smokos here*
June 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
Do wotds only appear on the people/wotds if they have subscribers? It would be nice to be able to see everyone's, even if no one was subscribing.
June 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the word duck
North American trail marks are sometimes called "ducks" or "duckies", because they sometimes have a "beak" pointing in the direction of the route. The expression "two rocks do not make a duck" reminds hikers that just one rock resting upon another could be the result of accident or nature rather than intentional trail marking.
(Wikipedia: Cairn)
June 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the word full online keyboard
An epoch of transition as mountains of fracture.
June 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Thanks! I did look it up, but haven't come across it before. Maybe I'm reading the wrong kinds of books.
June 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word I dislike ampersands
I have difficulty not thinking "ampersand" instead of "and". The symbol doesn't seem to have anything to do with the word or the concept.
June 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Groaning board is unfamiliar to me, rolig - is it really very common in either speech or literature? And is it a collocation or a compound name for something (like tea chest)?
June 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word mackerel
Nice link, reesetee!
June 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the list spelling-bee-final-round
Thanks, actung! I subscribed to the tweet a while ago but didn't keep track of it. Great list!
June 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the list spelling-bee-final-round
Where did you find the list? Or did you add them as they went?
June 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word barefaced liar
Wow. Molly Bloom's soliloquy = longest example ever.
June 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Wow, thanks for all the contributions! The only one I'm not familiar with is neap tide.
I'll check out your amber list for yoinking.
June 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pedum
That's weird, I could swear when I posted that there were none!
Nice drumroll, by the way.
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Thanks,rolig!
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list enjoy-online-casino-bonus-casinos-and-casinos-internet
Spam
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word effortful
*wishes it were effortless*
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the user marook4767
I would go with a nice baling twine.
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word effortful
For some reason, I can't believe this is a real word.
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the user marook4767
spam
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list remarkable-wikipedia-categories
list of numbers
"This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness."
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word comfortable
I say comfort-able, and people make fun.
June 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
Very strange. When you click on my name in the "blafferty's profile," it goes to the correct profile, Peter Altmann's.
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word fardel
This word makes it difficult for me to take that line seriously.
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the user 799782718
You will have better luck with your words if you don't capitalize; Wordnik is case-sensitive.
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the list important-concepts-i-learned-from-watching-m-a-s-h
Oh, funny! Didn't realize someone else had already posted that (I don't know how to post the pic instead of the link).
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pulchritude
caconym
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the list confession-is-good-for-the-sole-of-your-shoes
Also see original sins
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word larigot
Seems like this one's definition is begging for a which see.
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word zythiaceæ
Sure, referring to Zythia.
June 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word dingledousie
What is the Scottish word for scissors when you're running with them?
June 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the list important-concepts-i-learned-from-watching-m-a-s-h
fancy ass-DVD
June 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pedum
...
There are no tags.
June 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word alternate history
I think someone should start a list called "time travel induced divergences".
June 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
I wondered if it might be! Thanks!
June 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word weyant
Nice, ruzuzu!
June 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word weyant
This word is almost constantly trending, too.
And I can't help clicking on it because I wish it were real. Someone have a madeupical for it?
June 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
I'm very curious how words get into the "trending" list at the bottom of the community page. Cat and jelly shoes have been there forever. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy? We see that they're trending, so we click on them to see what all the fuss is about, and we make them more trendy?
June 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word cat
Still trending, after all this time. Cats are so hot right now. Apparently.
June 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the list wordlist-wordoperation-test--5
*hork*
June 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user bourbonmots
bourbonmots! Your name is a sweet tooth fairy!
May 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the list things-that-get-way-more-fun-when-you-add-a-p-to-them
A wordienik gold mine!
May 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word prose bushes
These should go on dontcry's porch.
May 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word punderbelly
Uh oh, this one seems PossibleUnderscore-related, too.
May 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word punderpants
Clearly something PossibleUnderscore would wear.
May 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word plump
This word is in such an interesting mix of positive and negative lists!
May 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Thanks, bilby; tea break stays!
Sionnach, bilby: do you feel that tea chest is a collocation or a compound? Or can it be both?
May 28, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lesser-known proofreading marks
Are you sure those aren't virtual civet droppings?
May 28, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Thanks, bilby! I've never heard tea break, let alone often enough to consider it a collocation. Tea chest I think I've read.
May 26, 2011
blafferty commented on the list it-has-a-name
How about dongle?
(favorited)
May 26, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Tea break ... maybe in England? Anyone?
May 26, 2011
blafferty commented on the word contumely
I had never heard this word before I heard it in a dream. In the dream, it was announced as the name of an ancient local deity at the site of an archeological excavation.
May 26, 2011
blafferty commented on the list inherently-funny-words
goat
May 25, 2011
blafferty commented on the list inherently-funny-words
corndog
May 25, 2011
blafferty commented on the list things-clouds-do
scuttle?
May 25, 2011
blafferty commented on the list snose-words
Add snot-nosed if you like, sionnach! I just wasn't adding anything but base forms, so I added snot and called it good.
May 25, 2011
blafferty commented on the word twirl
Those are great lists, pterodactyl! You might be interested in my snose list.
May 24, 2011
blafferty commented on the word hubbie
Hahahaha
May 23, 2011
blafferty commented on the word This is a parasitic t.
See whilst
May 23, 2011
blafferty commented on the list second-lists
Hmm, my second list was my vaguest one.
May 23, 2011
blafferty commented on the word perfect
Whoops, thanks, Joel. Edited.
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the word perfect
Wow, pterodactyl, that's true! You can say "fan-fucking-tastic" but "marv-fucking-elous" sounds weird.
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the word My Self-Descriptors: A Mirror of Text
uselessness's first list
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Potpourri
oroboros's first list
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Ne(word)er
Whichbe's first list
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Holding Out for a Hero
Actung's first list
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the word fewmets
Example given on the definitions tab:
I am Superversive, disequilibrator of fewmets; hear me roar!
— Quakers in Spain
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
No problem, Wordplayer! I added everyone whose comment showed in the zeitgeist for the last 3 days (at the time). I'll continue as I see people who didn't come up before!
May 22, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
I must admit some of mine have devolved into science projects.
May 20, 2011
blafferty commented on the word _mark's list
marky's first list
May 20, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
'zuzu, I love that you have the kind of dinner parties where people get out the OED!
May 20, 2011
blafferty commented on the word cicurant
So what does it mean?
May 20, 2011
blafferty commented on the word weimaraner
What the heck is going on here?
May 20, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
Very clever, mollusque. Thanks for listing yours, marky.
May 20, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pea coffee
Pouting while snorting pea coffee would probably result in something more serious than a fart.
May 19, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pea coffee
That's strange. If spam (which it certainly seems), why is it posted by erinmckean?
May 19, 2011
blafferty commented on the word toward
Thanks, rolig! Interesting stuff. I can't think of any case where I would write or say "forwards" either.
May 19, 2011
blafferty commented on the word toward
I have often wondered if there was a difference in usage.
May 19, 2011
blafferty commented on the word O.o
There you go, I added your actual first to the list and put an "alleged" in the commentlink here.
May 19, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Units of Language
PossibleUnderscore's (secret) first list
May 19, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
I guess the first word I listed was pejorative, and my first comment was there, too.
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Wordplayer's Wonderful Words
Yes, that's what I was thinking. It makes some of the words seem very funny though.
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
ruzuzu, that is very funny. Were you reporting your attendance?
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Chained Bear's Favorite Words
chained_bear's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word O.o
PossibleUnderscore's alleged first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word biology
qroqqa's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word wordn't-you-just-know-it
gangerh's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the list first-lists
frogapplause, marky, add yours and commentlink them if you please!
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Words about words
mollusque's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word average beverage
nearsounds' first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Welcome to Wordnik
erinmckean's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word dontcry's sounds-like list
dontcry's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Wordplayer's Wonderful Words
Wordplayer's first list
Strangely, the url says "British insults"
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word some words
Nice, whoops!
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Just 'cause I like 'em, B
reesetee's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word some words
John's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word the catch-all
rolig's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the user tylergberts
spam
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word sionnach's Words
sionnach's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Words that delight me
pterodactyl's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Words
yarb's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the list cherry-picked
Favorited!
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word A Serving of Random Palavery
hernesheir's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word De rerum natura
Prolagus's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Common words, but seldom words in common
ruzuzu's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word well-suited words
my first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word torture
bilby's first list
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the list torture
I'm game!
Those of you with stealth accounts would be tricky ... except bilby, who has revealed his.
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the list torture
"First lists" would be an interesting and telling list.
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word napsicle
Better than a dirt nap.
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the list why-i-spend-so-much-time-on-wordie
The upside down fruit bat (I assume - fruit boot makes less sense, although fruit boat could work ... ) is broken. And am I the only one who can't see the characters in the middle?
May 18, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
I can't decide! Every poem or no poem? To decide, perchance to forget? Whether 'tis nobler in mind to read them all, the poems and sonnets of outrageous authorship, or to make decisions against a sea of poems and by deciding, leave them.
May 17, 2011
blafferty commented on the list •-words-and-phrases-that-i-would-love-to-have-on-a-wordie-t-shirt
Yes, what a shame, with all the rampant cleverness going on around here.
May 17, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
No, the title of the poem. Although the title of this page doesn't exactly encourage reading the poem in the first place.
Anyway, I will definitely remember to decide not to read any poems next weekend, just to be safe.
May 17, 2011
blafferty commented on the word iroquois
Clearly it is time for bed.
May 17, 2011
blafferty commented on the list •-words-and-phrases-that-i-would-love-to-have-on-a-wordie-t-shirt
*gasp* And here I thought this was all just pipe-dream-talk.
May 17, 2011
blafferty commented on the word arachnid eyes
Cited as the evidence that my daughter's toy is a scorpion, not a lobster, despite the orange color.
May 17, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
I thought the title indicated that you couldn't.
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word iroquois
I think a snack-sized cabree might be called something else.
How about a nice steenbok?
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word iroquois
Get out your rifle!
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word iroquois
The Random word oracle says I should have brown-bag for lunch! It works!
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word iroquois
*love*
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
Oo, very zen-sounding, rolig. I like.
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
Ah, I see we are working from multiple definitions of read! So this complicates the question: a poem can be read (def. 1) multiple times but still not read (def. 2)!
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word eat what you want day
Sorry, those were my flaming fufluns. I did not allow chained_bear to have any since they were whiskey-soaked - I didn't want to be responsible for whiskey-soaked chained_bear cubs. And *wince* I might be responsible for that wodge of pie, too ... dontcry, it appears I owe you a new porch.
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
Hmm. That's hard to say. Can a poem be read more than once, or does it lose its flavor? How many readings does it take to get to the tootsie-roll center? And, having read the poem once, is it much too late to ever decide not to read the poem?
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the list •-words-and-phrases-that-i-would-love-to-have-on-a-wordie-t-shirt
You know, you can make yourself a t-shirt (or whatever) here.
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word whilst
Perhaps that should go on a T...? (Suddenly self-conscious about my ellipsis spacing)
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word guffaw
Oh dear! Didn't mean to endanger you!
May 16, 2011
blafferty commented on the word hork
This came up in the examples section today:
Of course, "my carpet does not show cat hork" is not necessarily a strong advertizing point. (
— mrissa: 'What makes a man turn neutral?'
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word guffaw
For some reason, I always picture someone laughing with their teeth showing when I think of this word. Is it the "horse laugh" thing?
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the list plans-for-the-weekend
That's very thoughtful of you! I'm sure she has plans to croodle, too.
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word whilst
I can't stand to put a comma or period outside quotes, but exclamation marks and question marks are another story. And I heard that frivolously misusing Australians is only common in Britain.
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
Yep. By the time I remembered I had a resolution to make concerning it, I had already done it.
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithomyl
Tool for reducing concretions into powder
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithodialysis
Operation by which bladder stones are dissolved
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word broncholith
Stone in the bronchial glands
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word chololith
Gallstone
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word dacryolith
Stone forming in the tear ducts
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithagogue
Is this a superpower? (CD 1)
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithopaedium
Dead fetus impregnated with calcareous matter
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word ophthalmolith
Concretion in the tear ducts
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word oscheolith
Concretion in the scrotum
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word deciding not to read that Wisława Szymborska poem
Whoops, forgot to do this one. Maybe next weekend.
May 15, 2011
blafferty commented on the word postholith
Oh dear god!
May 14, 2011
blafferty commented on the word eat what you want day
Clearly dontcry has abandoned prudence for not only imprudence, but impudence.
*noms a small bouquet of peonies*
May 14, 2011
blafferty commented on the word mockbuster
A low-budget (but not necessarily bad) movie made after a blockbuster using a similar plot and often exploiting on its publicity campaign. (Urban Dictionary)
May 14, 2011
blafferty commented on the word national apple pie day
Gosh, thanks! *unhinges jaw*
Dontcry, what's prudent about pie, whether wodge or wedge?
May 14, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pneumatolith
Stone in the lung
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word postholith
Concretion or stone in the foreskin
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word prostatolith
Concretion in the prostate gland
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word uterolith
Concretion forming in the uterus
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the list lithophilia
Yoinkage makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word national apple pie day
Can I get a wodge of pie instead of a wedge?
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the list lithophilia
Those occur inside the body, Wordplayer - see description of list. But don't worry, my next list, "My god, I'm full of stones!" will include them.
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithoclast
Thanks, mollusque!
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word aerolith
Stone that falls from the sky; meteorite
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word anthropolith
Fossilized human skeleton
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word asthenolith
Body of magma formed in the asthenosphere of the earth
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word chromolith
Color impression of a drawing on stone
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word endolith
Colored design on chemically prepared slab of marble or ivory
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word eolith
Hard to believe there's a word for "I thought it was an artifact, but it's just a rock." I think my dad used to call those "leavarites."
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithics
Study of stone artifacts
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithobiotic
Pertaining to the natural state of crystals or minerals
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithochromatography
Color printing using several lithographic plates
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithochromy
Painting upon stone
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithochrysography
Printing in gold on stone
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithoclast
Does anyone know if CD 1 is actually used, or is this just used for "stones" within the body?
May 13, 2011
blafferty commented on the list pangrams
How about a Pikachu, Pro?
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Ex-deaf Pikachu jogs Zaire with vim, buying quality lemons
Pangram: 48 letters
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lithotheology
Natural theology based on the study of stones
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word neolith
Stone tool or weapon associated with early farming peoples
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word prepalaeolith
See palaeotolith
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word palaeotolith
See prepalaeolith
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word phacolith
Lens-shaped intrusive mass of igneous rock between two strata
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word phonolith
Igneous rock that makes a ringing noise when struck
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word photolith
Image produced by transferring photograph to a lithographic plate
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word prepalaeolith
Stone tool supposedly of pre-paleolithic date
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word psammolithic
Consisting of sandstone
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word spongolith
Fossilized sponge
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word stromatolith
Rock structure consisting of alternating igneous and sedimentary layers
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the list lost-for-word
Blameshifting? Weaselry? Haunt writing?
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word cat
Why is this always a "trending word"?
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word eat what you want day
Ha! Still eating whiskey-soaked fufluns en flambe here!
May 12, 2011
blafferty commented on the word scrotum
"Scrotum sounded to Lucky like something green that comes up when you have the flu and cough too much." - from _The Higher Power of Lucky_
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the word box clever
You're the first person to look up this word on Wordnik! Box clever has been favorited 0 times, listed 0 times, commented on 0 times, and is not a valid Scrabble word.
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the list sweet-tooth-fairy-dominoes
Thanks for the box clever explanation! I've never heard it before.
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the word suddenly
Most. Overused. Word. Ever.
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the list sweet-tooth-fairy-dominoes
What's a box clever?
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the word euonym
Never knew there was a word for this!
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Chuck Norris
failed search
May 11, 2011
blafferty commented on the list sweet-tooth-fairy-dominoes
'fire' for after house, or 'warrant' for after arrest
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Kvetching, flummoxed by job, W. zaps Iraq
Pangram: 32 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Wolf zombies quickly spot the jinxed grave
Pangram: 36 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Jackdaws love my big sphinx of quartz
Pangram: 31 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list pangrams
Whoops, not top any more. No gulls so far, but how about a jackdaw, 'zuzu?
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list sweet-tooth-fairy-dominoes
boat?
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list pangrams
The one at the top is almost about pants ...
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pullulate
This word (along with its various forms) gives me the creeps. Reminds me of
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list dont-drink-this
Hear hear!
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list pangrams
Oh dear, I'd better get to work!
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word amphigory
I love that there is a word for this.
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word invitation to mingle with accountants
Sounds like a threat to me.
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word trivet
We always called the ceramic tiles (with cork on the bottom, usually) trivets, too.
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Many-wived Jack laughs at probes of sex quiz
Pangram: 36 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list pangrams
... except Punderscore. Thanks, Punderscore!
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the list pangrams
Sorry, my pangrams ate everything while you were sleeping.
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word The five boxing wizards jump quickly
Pangram: 31 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog
Pangram: 33 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs
Pangram: 32 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word How quickly daft jumping zebras vex
Pangram: 30 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word How razorback jumping frogs can level six piqued gymnasts
Pangram: 49 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word We promptly judged antique ivory buckles for the next prize
Pangram: 50 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Sixty zippers were quickly picked from the woven jute bag
Pangram: 48 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Crazy Fredrick bought many very exquisite opal jewels
Pangram: 46 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Sphinx of black quartz: judge my vow
Pangram: 29 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Quick zephyrs blow, vexing daft Jim
Pangram: 29 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Waltz, nymph, for quick jigs vex Bud
Pangram: 28 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Mr. Jock, TV quiz PhD, bags few lynx
Perfect pangram
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox
Pangram: 28 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Quick wafting zephyrs vex bold Jim
Pangram: 29 letters
May 10, 2011
blafferty commented on the word classic
What are your opinions about using the phrase "classy classic" in reference to a wedding dress, for example? Too redundant? Or have the two connotations diverged enough that they are not?
May 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the word ascian
Whoops, nope! Sorry, tricked you!
May 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the list collection-o-collocations
Not sure I would consider "tease teas" or "coffee toffee" collocations, fbharjo!
May 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
Haven't tried it anywhere else, I'll give it a shot.
Edit: I commented on another list and deleted it just fine.
I wonder if the reason is that I originally tried to delete it from my iphone?
May 9, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
I am suddenly unable to delete or edit comments I have made. I don't know if it's all of them - the problem I'm having is with a comment made on the words and phrases that I would love to have on a wordie t-shirt list.
May 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the list •-words-and-phrases-that-i-would-love-to-have-on-a-wordie-t-shirt
Oops, I commented instead of adding, and suddenly it won't delete. I'll delete the comment as soon as it lets me.
May 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the list •-words-and-phrases-that-i-would-love-to-have-on-a-wordie-t-shirt
I <3 mountweazels
May 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word braggadouche
Braggart + douchebag. (Insult)
May 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the list lost-for-word
Ha, I've heard that before!
May 8, 2011
blafferty commented on the word i poked a badger with a spoon
Well, it is on the list of recent pronunciations.
May 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I'll have a ruzuzutbeer barrel.
May 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the word blafferty's irish stout
Yay!
May 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the list lost-for-word
Following drosselmeier's links on his Mountweazels list makes me think maybe nonce word would fit the bill ... ?
May 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the list mountweazels
Oh, I am so happy this list exists. Can you hug a list?
*squeeze*
May 7, 2011
blafferty commented on the list mnemonics-days-in-the-month
I could never memorize this as a child because so many months (and numbers) could fit into those rhyme/syllable spaces ... you could say:
Thirty days hath October, January, and December. All the rest have thirty-one.
Or, for that matter, you could say:
Seven days hath October, January, and December. All the rest have seventeen.
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the list mnemonics-days-in-the-month
Who decided all this, and why couldn't they have used a logical system?
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Lower Empire Posture
"Bobo's furniture: what could be said about it? It demanded and invited Lower Empire Posture ... the elegant flop: low small tables with small wagons full of blue glass grapes, low chairs, low everything."
-- Carlos Fuentes, _Where the Air is Clear_
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Z҉A҉L҉G҉O̚̕̚
I think this is a virus. I googled the word zalgo and the results indicated that clicking on zalgo (somewhere) crashed their browser.
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word tef
See also teff.
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word tef
An Ethiopian grain, used for making injera.
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word thank you 'slap happy blaffy'
*begins watching cartoons*
Yay!
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the list the-several-stages-of-wordie-addiction
How about when you see an old word and think of hernesheir?
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word thank you 'slap happy blaffy'
Hm, all I can find are "Slap Happy Pappy" and "Scrap Happy Daffy."
For some reason I feel that I must watch this.
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word thank you 'slap happy blaffy'
Not the first time I've heard this. Strange ...
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the list words-classifiable-in-4-different-ways-as-a-noun--verb--adj-and-adv
*favorited*
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word stepped on a little frog
Reality is a club that smacks even the one who is holding it. Which provides me with an entertaining mental image.
May 6, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
Please see the preposition section at on for other usages.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word the bag of cupcakes is the target - keep an eye out for them.
That's what I get for wordnicking before bed.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word
Is this an inkblot test? If so, I see murder most foul.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word dangergeld
"Misfits like him are given a choice: either exile in one of the surrounding island countries, or to undertake the "dangergeld," a rite of passage rather like the traditional vision quest or wanderjahr, where a young person journeys for many years to find his purpose. Afterwards he may or may not be able to return to Recluce." -from a review of _The Magic of Recluse_ by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word padded face hole
Thanks. Anybody have any stain stick?
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word padded face hole
*plop*
And there it goes again.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word padded face hole
Um ...
*dredges mind out of gutter*
*rinses mind in sink*
*pats mind down with towel*
Yes, I see, thanks, reesetee!
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I get that impression.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pollrumptious
This word sounds like tossing and turning in bed.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list my-porches
I have tagged a couple things dontcry's porch - didn't know this was here!
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word fuckwaddery
Love the example given on the definitions page:
"As in “The well of his fuckwaddery springs eternal.”"
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
Since your examples were mere quotes of the phrase from text, no matter what the source, instead of quotes regarding the actual rules you were citing, I thought you were just interested in seeing the phrase in documented use. It's a common usage of the preposition, that's all I was trying to show. I feel I've been a pretty good sport, considering your rude comment about the language used in my country.
Hm, I'm not finding the rules you cite. I can't search by page (I don't have the book) - are the rules phrased as a direct quote? If not, can you quote them? The rules as you write them seem overly simplified, like something I might teach a student initially, to give them a basic grasp of what the words mean. In reality, they are much more complicated. For instance, a common phrase is "on Saturday, I will go to the market." Saturday is certainly not a surface, do you see what I mean?
Would you consider it rude of me to ask if you are a second language English speaker?
Wordnik is a place for people who love words, phrases, and language in general. Often the discussions are playful, but all here are interested in learning and sharing knowledge.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list plans-for-the-weekend
... and I'm curious about your suggestion to use a plinth, ruzuzu ...
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list plans-for-the-weekend
Are the grape riffles in question the kind that you use as ammunition or icing for fufluns?
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I put bilby as protean because he sometimes seems like a person and sometimes like a marsupial.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word sips Kopi Luwak coffee from crappucino mug
This is definitely not in my plans for the weekend.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word anal thermometer, Runts®, green tea all-day moisture body lotion (infused with peony petals)
Oops, someone just walked by while I had this up on the screen. I wonder what they were thinking.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word padded face hole
I must say I really appreciate the fact that no one made any references to glory hole here.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word anal thermometer, Runts®, green tea all-day moisture body lotion (infused with peony petals)
For a moment, I wondered whether these were in the May Day basket ruzuzu received.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word croodle
I am definitely going to do this this weekend.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list plans-for-the-weekend
Very exciting! Thanks for the shopping list! You too, hernesheir!
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
Oh, I didn't know you had a criteria for the examples. It would have saved time and space if you had said so. I cut off the page numbers, but I can edit them back in if you'd like.
Please cite where your "cardinal rules" are from.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
Hmm ... if so, it's not a very lovely shade of green. Actually, it's only a couple shades darker than the walls in my living room.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the user sionnach
Do you know/have this amazing book?
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word cuirbouilli
Related to cuirass?
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a hotdog, aren't you
Perhaps you dropped it in the hydrangeas?
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word palimpsest
Nice connection, fbharjo! Now I like this word even more, and I have a way to remember what it means.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
Thanks, mollusque! Me too!
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word palimpsest
This word sounds like the feeling of holding a still-beating heart in your hand. Not that I would know.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I matched Erin with calepinerienne because I did a desperate google search for the word and her name came up! Now, of course, the search results are flooded with other wordnik comments etc.
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word attend pubs that keep the shorter oxford dictionary
When is word-happy hour?
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the list the-several-stages-of-wordie-addiction
*starts using asterisks to narrate her life outside of wordie*
May 5, 2011
blafferty commented on the word coriaceous
This word reminds me of the sound of dragging a grater across a lemon. (The lemon is for you, reesetee)
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word attend pubs that keep the shorter oxford dictionary
"What verbs do you have on tap today?"
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
*counts own correct answers*
*smiles happily*
*eats fuflun*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word attend pubs that keep the shorter oxford dictionary
I wish I could find one to attend ... most of the bars here don't even have phone books.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
I see no instigation, nor cries of rape, although I've never heard of 2nd degree rape. But yes, I am glad to provide examples.
"She models how to add the -ing chunk on the end of the word to make the word dreaming." -Linda J. Dorn, Cathy French, Tammy Jones, _Apprenticeship in literacy: transitions across reading and writing_
"If a word begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), then you just put AY on the end of the word, without taking the first letter away." -Ursula Dubosarsky, _The Word Snoop_
" ... final vowel will frequently occur on the end of the word, depending on the overall word form" -Robert M. W. Dixon, Aleksandra I︠U︡rʹevna Aĭkhenvalʹd, _Word: a cross-linguistic typology_
"... rhythmic balance in long words, the predominant Biblical stress on the end of the word was possible when ..." -Benjamin Harshav, _Language in time of revolution_
"(In the case of simplex words stress is on the end of the word, on the penultimate vowel or on the antepenultimate vowel of the word)" -William Z. Shetter, Inge Van der Cruysse-Van Antwerpen, _Contemporary explorations in the culture of the Low Countries: Volume 9_
"So called, because the force is on the end of the word" -Walter K. Fobes, _Elocution simplified: with an appendix on lisping, stammering_
I like the fact that your examples are from books about English grammar, but I'm curious - are you drawing this opinion from some reference - i.e. have you seen a rule that indicates one over the other?
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list the-several-stages-of-wordie-addiction
Wow, I feel so welcome. *sniff*
My name is blafferty, and I'm a wordict.
I recently started calling my daughter fuflun instead of cupcake.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list the-several-stages-of-wordie-addiction
Wow, I had no idea there was a place where I was normal. Whew.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a hotdog, aren't you
Funny, I was just thinking of starting a "dontcry's porch" list.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a hotdog, aren't you
*adds hydrangeas to map*
Not that we need to find you, now that you're up ... in retrospect, maybe we should have had a map of the porch area a while ago.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
*pumps fist twice*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I chose mine for exactly the reason mollusque surmised. Clever creature.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
*speechless*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
Oh my gosh, I got more than 3!
*swoons, wishing for hydrangeas*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I got more than 2 right!
*dances jig*
My expectations were clearly set at just the right level. This gives me so much satisfaction.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list things-that-smell-better-than-they-taste
Perhaps this list and this list should be cross-referenced.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
Crap, I don't think my luck extends to chances that are less than 70% probability.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a horkdog, aren't you
Yes, I discovered that when I clicked on my own link!
*lagging a bit behind still*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word horndog
Aspiring to the title of Houghmagander.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a horkdog, aren't you
This is dangerously close to horndog.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word stepped on a little frog
I believe it might be a dodecahedron. Or perhaps a mace. Maybe just a club.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
*bites nails*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word stepped on a little frog
Obviously you feel bad, since you still remember. We all forgive you.
My brother and I used to put grasshoppers in jars and make them fight. *wince*
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
I'm with you there, Pro.
Deyan, I could list as many examples the other way, but maybe we can just agree to disagree. I would prefer to say "let's agree that it can be either way," but clearly you are immovable.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a hotdog, aren't you
This is a really interesting page, because somehow I have attributed gender to everyone based on ... I don't know what. Listening to a pronunciation from someone I pegged wrong is really jarring (and fun).
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
"Sionnach, I promise you, you will make a fool of yourself and find your master as soon as you are specific; apropos of which I pray thee be so."
Does this sound like a threat to anyone else?
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pants
Laughing so hard I can't see the screen ...
Sad to say the Star Wars list is no longer where the link takes you, and I can't find it anywhere. But here's a truncated list
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
The pleasure of one big wodge is hard to beat.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word stepped on a little frog
Oh dear. Perhaps I should mention that it doesn't have to be something you personally have done. I mean, really, who pokes a badger with a spoon? I'm sure marky didn't really step on a frog. Right, marky?
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the list snose-words
Thanks, Wordplayer!
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a hotdog, aren't you
How are the hydrangeas situated in relation to the peonies? In case we need to find you, I am drawing a map.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word immappancy
Meaning the lack of geographical knowledge? Am I reading that right?
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
Perhaps Deyan was being facetious with that phrase, sionnach.
May 4, 2011
blafferty commented on the word blipper
thank you pro
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
Um, wow. Nope. I'm sure a google search for the phrase "on the end of the word" will bring up plenty of examples, and surely some of them will be "undefiled beyond believe," hahaha. Perhaps if you go to on your questions about this somewhat tricky English preposition will be answered.
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the user sionnach
That is a little unnerving.
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word Abbottabad
Wow. I know people who write poems like that. And brag about them. Gah.
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word the number 227 is prime
You never know when you might need that kind of information.
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
I went through each word and noted who had listed it, listed it most, or commented on it most. Then the rest was guesswork.
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word anent
I tried to start at the Ws, sorry if I missed any.
I used this list
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word anent
Me too!
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word anent
What tag are you going to use? English preposition?
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
Gaaaaaaah!
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
Well, I am aware that the redundant 's is technically incorrect - I was wondering if people see it as commonly accepted. I seem to hear it a lot and I assume that the reason is that in English we generally use the 's form for possessives instead of the prepositional phrase, so it sounds strange to people's ears - they are over-correcting, I guess.
Generally if the preposition 'of' would refer to the content like in the example you use here, "... in an address of the President's competence," the ambiguity leads most (in my experience) to re-phrase it to make it clear: "... in an address regarding the President's competency." Do others agree?
Prepositions in English are so fickle and high-maintenance. Their meanings seem so vague but their usage is so specific.
As for "on the end," it is correct if I am referring to the word, as in "Obama had an 's on the end." If I were referring to the end of the sentence, the appropriate preposition would be at - "the sentence had an 's at the end."
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the list just-because-i-feel-like-saying-it
*favorited*
So ... so ... wordie. Er, wordnik.
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the list complex-emotion--single-word
It's also a good movie, frogapplause - seen it?
May 3, 2011
blafferty commented on the word basterly-gullion
Good point.
I wonder what the ratio of (CD 1) bastards that are (CD 3) bastards is to those that are (CD 1) bastards but not (CD 3) bastards. Or vice versa.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word weltschmerz
Does anyone know whether this form or weltschmertz is more common? Assuming they mean the same thing.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word tharn
My guts are prepared to receive puddings. Yum.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word lugubrious
Oh, I love you all, and your dogs' lugubrious faces.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word hummer
I would like a verb for "to begin to speak."
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
I agree.
I think I know why the iPh**e (which I think deserves brackets) version is messing up - looks like they are trying to get a mobile version up and running. My eyes thank you. Hopefully the comments will be viewable on a word, too - right now I can't find them.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word basterly-gullion
Do you mean the kind of person even a bastard (CD 3) would think is a (CD 3) bastard, or a (CD 1) bastard begotten by a (CD 1) bastard?
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word address
This, I think, has been taken incorrectly from context. In the examples listed, the "address" is a speech. For instance, "in an address of President Obama" - the address/speech belongs to Obama. It's not an idiomatic phrase, just a use of "address" meaning "speech."
Since the inversion of the possessive seems strange to our ears, many people add a redundant 's on the end - "in an address of President Obama's" - does anyone know if this is generally accepted?
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word urzuzu
I would say the dodgy curry is the worst of these troubles.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
Actually, I was able to log in but when I tried to go to my profile page it said the page was not found.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user feedback
I had the same problem, Prolagus.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the list identify-the-wordienik
Wow, this list has a festival-like atmosphere this morning.
If fuflun were a verb, I think there would be either arm-flinging or unicycles involved. I say unicycle because I am picturing a bear fuflunning all around, just because, chained_.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word compound
In this case, the best definition is CD 15:
A building or buildings, especially a residence or group of residences, set off and enclosed by a barrier.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word the number 227 is prime
Yes.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word unfreedom
see why do you hate freedom
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user reesetee
Ah! Thanks! I knew it looked familiar, but couldn't make it say anything, even after waterboarding.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user reesetee
Okay, I give up. Who is devils mi snort/livid monsters?
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the list thank-you-blafferty--1
I happen to have a lofty ruby kaftan, eh.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word brainer
Related link
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the list contents-of-the-may-day-basket-i-received-earlier-today
So cute. I am having a good time picturing this landlady.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the list thank-you-blafferty--1
I feel that you should have added your "thanks, blahahahaha" to this as well, as it was clever.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the list contents-of-the-may-day-basket-i-received-earlier-today
<3 <3 <3
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the word community zeitgeist
I think it's interesting and kind of nostalgic that you can't click on the community link from this word.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
Whenever I see the phrase "Thank you ________" I hear it in a mocking, sing-song voice now.
Thank you marky.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
Okay, you asked for it: PEEEAAA SOOOUUUP!
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
At least there was no pea soup this time.
May 2, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
I have no idea! All this thanking is making my head spin.
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word funky bunch
Four Brothers was my favorite.
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word funky bunch
see here
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word funky bunch
see marky
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word marky
see funky bunch
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
Ooh! Too late. Darn.
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
That means I get to make a wish, right?
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
Oh dear. He got to you, too.
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word pygalgia
Pain in the ass
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word you're something of a hotdog, aren't you
Were you looking for you're something of a hotdog, be you?
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
I don't think that can prevent marky in his thanking crusade. I'm pretty sure the reason for the thank you bilby was that he couldn't find bilby's profile to thank him there.
Besides, then how would reesetee help me fix the wounded trees?
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
*freezes*
Don't move ... they can't see you if you don't move.
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the user ruzuzu
Oh, then you can give PossibleUnderscore *your* autograph!
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word thank you marky
Thy yak run amok
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word kallisti
If my family can be considered a microcosm of the world in general (which it shouldn't), the war was almost certainly over who was responsible for burning the pie crust.
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the list thank-you-bilby
(In movie preview guy voice:)
In a world overrun by thankless hordes, one man stood alone...
May 1, 2011
blafferty commented on the word assiduous
This word sounds like tiny waves taking over a beach.
April 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word impasse
Not to be confused with imp ass.
April 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word braunschweiger-athazagoraphobia
Fear of being thought of as an under-appreciated meat product.
April 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word chopped liver
See braunschweiger-athazagoraphobia
April 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word jejune
This word is ill-suited.
April 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the user blafferty
*whishwhishwhish*
I think that was the trees saying thank you.
April 30, 2011
blafferty commented on the word thank you bilby
Built by a honky
April 30, 2011
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