Photo of the Week (by me)

Snapped in my mom's garden of mysterious plants. Anyone know what kind of flowers these are? Click for a closer view, horticultists.

Random Sequence: repinings

"But since you have neither, would it not be the wisest course -- and insure you the most happiness -- to cease fruitless repinings, and be thankful for the many blessings you do enjoy? The 'contented mind' brings it's own feast along with it, you know...."
--Mary W. Janvrin, "The Contented Mind", in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, April 1864

(I found a bound copy of several issues of Godey's in my basement and have been flipping through the dusty pages.)

repinings (noun) = complaints, fretful expressions of discontent

Tell the customer service rep that you have some "repinings" and see what sort of reaction you get.

The weird thing about this bound copy of Godey's (an American magazine) is that the issues are all from the 1860s, and there is not a single mention anywhere of the American Civil War. 

Fish Food for Thought

Word of the Day: oscitancy

What's "the word I'm thinking of"? Today, it's...

oscitancy [OSS-it-an-see] (noun) [TWITO, page 104]

1. The act of yawning
2. The state of being drowsy or inattentive; dullness

"Melanie began to describe her shopping trip, but Nick couldn’t hide his oscitancy."


(photo by me...yawn)

Link Mania: Wither Go Ye?

Brogrammer, hyperlocal: Dictionary.com adds words
Maybe "brogrammar" should be a word, too.

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19 Regional Words All Americans Should Adopt Immediately
Take a mug-up and read this whoopensocker. (And now I know why Charlie Brown's dog is named Snoopy.)

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17 Slang Names for Your Significant Other from the 18th Century
"Wither-go-ye"? I guess that's better than "ball and chain".

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32 Totally Not Weird Non-Sexual Fetishes You Might Have
Why do "they" always illustrate the word "logophile" with a photo of an antique typewriter keyboard? 

Photo of the Week: Dummy (by me)

Somebody decided to dress up a dummy in an expensive jacket and put it in a wheelchair, then set it out on the street. Why not? I'm not sure what the point of this was, but I thought it worth a picture. Agree? Click it for a closer look. You know you want to.

Random Sequence: raillery

"'Poor fellow!' interrupted Jocelyn. 'What a pitiable case--absolute destitution of any rational occupation! What can we do to reward your past suffering?' Earl smiled at Jocelyn's good-humored raillery...."
--Margaret Hunter Grant, "Unto the End", in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, June 1864

(I found a bound copy of several issues of Godey's in my basement and have been flipping through the dusty pages.)

raillery (adjective) = good-natured teasing or banter

I used to think raillery referred to railing against something (i.e., to complain or protest strongly). Odd that it means something quite different.

The weird thing about this bound copy of Godey's (an American magazine) is that the issues are all from the 1860s, and there is not a single mention anywhere of the American Civil War.

Brain Dump

Go for the gold coin operated vending machine part two by two three blind mice eat cheese sandwich shop till you drop dead in the water park the car in the lot of money is the root canal boat dock your pay the piper. Face the music hall monitor your blood pressure point your gun barrel of monkeys around the world class clown suit yourself. Pass the salt water fish fry the egg cup of coffee pot calling the kettle black tie event horizon. Fasten your seat belt one out of your mind your own business meeting someone new age before beauty.