Word of the Day: corybantic

corybantic (adj)

Frantic, frenzied, or ecstatic. The "corybants" were ancient worshipers of the goddess Cybele whose rites were celebrated with music and ecstatic dances.

"It was as though the old Cornish giants had come back to life for a corybantic dance with the demirips of their race--dancing to the music of the sea sucking and gurgling into the caves at the base of the cliffs."
--Arthur J. Rees, The Moon Rock

"Demirips" is, I think, an alternate spelling of demireps. A demirep is "a person of doubtful reputation or respectability", according to TheFreeDictionary.com.

There were a lot of people dressed as demireps and acting like corybants on the Grammy Awards last night. Music and singing seemed less important to the proceedings than flash and spectacle. There was even a circus act. I'd rather see and hear Susan Boyle than some pop tart lip-syncing while dressed like a Vegas hooker and hanging upside down... at least on the Grammies.