As we all know words come and go when it comes to usage and popularity. I recently came across an article through Reader’s Digest that discussed vintage slang terms no longer in use. The article suggested a return of these words. Hmm, what do you think?
Mutton Shunter Definition: Policeman
Gigglemug Definition: An habitually smiling face
Fly Rink Definition: A polished bald head
Sauce-box Definition: The mouth
Row-de-dow Definition: Riot
Etymology: A play on “row” (18th century slang for “quarrel”) or “rowdy.” Also spelled, “rowdydow.”
I’m partial to “Row-de-dow” not that I’ve been to many riots lately. I know once upon a time “pigs” were bandied about as a term, but “sheep” for police? “Gigglemug” sounds like something from Willy Wonka, and “fly-rink” and “sauce box” don’t make the grade.
This month’s word list theme is all about those words that lead a person from a thought to the deed.
1. prevaricate: to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.
2. anamnesis: the recollection or remembrance of the past; reminiscence.
3. esperance: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
4. plaudit: an enthusiastic expression of approval.
5. felicific: causing or tending to cause happiness.
6. perspicuity: clearness or lucidity, as of a statement.
7. insouciant: free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
8. susurrus: soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper.
9. jannock: straightforward; fair.
10. cavil: to raise trivial and irritating objections; find fault unnecessarily.
11. valleity: wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.
12.risible: causing laughter; ludicrous.
13. taradiddle: a small lie.
*Just a side note: when compiling the list the words come straight from Dictionary.com—okay, then why does spellcheck not recognize most of them or insist on changing them into another word—like “velleity” morphs into “valley?” Are they not really words after all? Or is my spellcheck needing some tutor time in lexiconical studies?
Oh—what word caught your eye?
I’m leaning towards risible as it rhymes with laughter becoming visible.
Such a Word Nerd that I am I subscribe to Dictionary.com to receive their word of the day and to play word related quizzes (I do so like to determine if my grammar knowledge is up to snuff). They recently did their own version of March Madness, except with words, as in which words are favorites in terms of putting a smile on your face. Here is the bracket. What word puts the biggest smile on your face?
While new words are appreciated finds, there are those favorites that are like old friends that I haven’t seen in awhile and suddenly pop up unexpectedly.
smithereens: small pieces; bits. I tend to associate this one with Yosemite Sam who I recall would now and then threaten to blow Bugs Bunny to smithereens.
copacetic: fine; completely satisfactory; okay. This is a great word to toss out when asked to describe how the meeting went.
morass: any confusing or troublesome situation, especially one from which it is difficult to free oneself. This is not how you want to describe the meeting.
egregious: extraordinary in some bad way. This one usually finds its way describing a mistake. All those “e” sounds make it worse than it probably is.
luddite: someone who is opposed or resistant to new technologies or technological change. Since learning about Luddites in English literature it’s fun to see how it is found in today’s world.
Resistance is futile.
collywobbles: a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness. Hah! Used this one the other day and stumped The Hubs—“this is a word?” Indeed it is.
brouhaha: excited public interest, discussion, or the like, as the clamor attending some sensational event. This one is simply fun to say.
abscond: to depart in a sudden and secret manner. Chocolate tends to do this in our household.
twee: affectedly dainty or quaint. When it’s just too cute or trying to hard to be cute.
Too twee, or not to twee?
natter: to talk incessantly. Yes, this one is not far out of reach. It’s very appropriate in describing how some people like to have conversations in public with their phone speaker fully blaring.
ennui: a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom. Also found this one in English—from the short story “The Most Dangerous Game.”
As much as I am a fan of the new year because it provides a fresh start, I am not a fan of the cold weather January brings. Most of the first days have been in temperatures of single digits and in minus increments. And then there was those two four days of snow. Going outside has become a matter of great consideration and since cold weather is keeping me more inside than outside I’m looking for day brighteners. Words are often my go to happy place. There are some words that when I hear them bring a smile because of the way they sound, and sometimes their meaning is amusing:
hobbledehoy: an ungainly youth—I had a few of these in class
sklent: any slanting surface, such as a slope—noted, when it freezes after a snowstorm
feirie: healthy, strong—are fairies feirie?
cakeage: a few a restaurant charge for bringing in an outside cake—you can have your cake and eat it too, as long as you pay for it
kvetch: to chronically complain—the extra snow has me doing plenty of this
No more snow!!!
tintinnabulation: the ringing of bells—which gets tinnitus riled up
yestreen: during yesterday evening
elsewhither: in another direction; toward a different place or goal—I travel here often
nibling: a child of one’s sibling—a solution to gender identification?
quiddity: the essential nature of a thing—snowy days create this feeling that winter is essentially cold and annoying
pulchritudnious: physically beautiful—this one is baffling in that it is an unlovely sounding word to describe loveliness
skookum: large; powerful—can’t wait to try this one out
mountweazel: a decoy word used in a dictionary or encyclopedia to catch publishers who might try to copy the content—like paper towns
cromulent: acceptable or legitimate—reminds me of crumpets
And an appropriate word to end with is:
jollify: to make merry—when the snow fades and spring begins to be a reality
Granted, some words can eventually change meaning over time; however, some words are just plain used incorrectly and we may not realize it. Here is a batch of words that you may or may not be using correctly. I now know the enormity of my vernacular errors and hope they will no longer be chronic mistakes.
atrociousness not hugeness
overflowing not repetitive
imitation not tragedy
continual not severe
unbiased versus not interested
i.e.= id est ,”that is” (in other words) e.g.= exempli gratia, “for example)
saying one thing but implying something else not an odd coincidence
snollygoster: a clever, unscrupulous person. What a fabulous word! It reminds me of a villain lurking in the pages of a Lemony Snicket book.
banderole: a small flag or streamer fastened to a lance, masthead, etc. I imagine this will be a handy term for upcoming Fourth of July parades.
ferdutzt: confused; bewildered. It sounds like have a fuzzy brain.
skrik: a sudden fright or panic. Yes, that’s exactly the word when I’m startled.
quidnunc: a person who is eager to know the latest news and gossip. I am surprised I don’t come across this word in my English village novels. It so sounds like a person found in a Miss Marple story.
reboant: resounding or reverberating loudly. Definitely describes the train horns that barrage our area on a daily basis.
pluviophile: a person who enjoys rain and rainy days, and who is fascinated by the sights, sounds, etc., of rain. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest where you learn to live the rain or go bonkers in winter, spring, and fall.
farouche: sullenly unsociable or shy. Not just shy but shy with an attitude. That is inspiration for a character, for sure. Maybe this person meets up with the local quidnunc and sparks fly. Hmmm…
ferhoodle: to confuse or mix up. A companion of ferduzt.
bloviate: to speak pompously. You know, that part of the movie where the snollygoster monologues about how clever they are right before they are undone by the clever hero.
tawpie: a foolish or thoughtless young person. I see this being home in a Gaiman tale for some reason.
ceilidh: a party, gathering, or the like, at which dancing, singing, and storytelling are the usual forms of entertainment. Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
scintilla: a minute particle; spark; trace. It’s right companionable with “smidge”and “scootch.”
pwn: to totally defeat or dominate, especially in a video or computer game. Did the vowel get vanquished when this word came into being?
pervicacious: extremely willful; obstinate; stubborn. Oh dear, what if they are farouche as well?
proceleusmatic: inciting, animating, or inspiring. The problem is by the time the word is properly pronounced the moment has passed.
oppugn: to assail by criticism, argument, or action. This when the snollygoster shows their true colors.
lambent: running or moving lightly over a surface. Oddly, this is an adjective not a verb.
rubricate: to mark or color with red. So for equality purposes other colors should have their own verb—yellow would be “yubricate” and brown would be “bubricate”?
schmatte: an old ragged garment; tattered article of clothing. This sounds more like the state of my door mat after a hard winter of snow and ice abuse.
Challenge!
What word will you work into a conversation this week?
I appreciate how Mitch Teemley shares quotes of note. Over time I have developed my own quotes which will not be found in print since they exist as passing verbal ideas. They often found their way into my classroom during my years of teaching high school students.
This one formed out of observation of how some people talk about going places but make no effort in moving in that direction, like those students who wrote their career research papers about becoming doctors (because they wanted to be wealthy), yet didn’t sign up for math or science classes or health occupation courses. This saying also stemmed from being stuck in traffic or trying to get through the hallways during passing period.
As a Book Booster I enjoy meeting new characters when I open a book, and some characters become lifelong friends whom I visit with, like Scout and Jane Eyre.
Finding a poem that meets your needs is finding a song to sing in your heart when the world seems tuneless.
Life is a garden, yet in any garden there are weeds to contend so when that special flower, that truefriend comes along, it’s as special as finding that hidden columbine amidst the crabgrass.
Somewhat of a conundrum. Yet, what we think often becomes our actions, and if we are not sure of what we think than our actions will reflect our thoughts. Still a conundrum, I know.
Pam Webb 