The longer this lasts, the more PHILOCOMAL I'll be

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

PHILOCOMAL [FI-lo-cohm-al] (adjective)

Characterized by excessive concern with one's hair

"There were ladies present too; and after some pleasant little discourse, all tending to the glorification of hair-dressing, an eminent professor of the philocomal art there present proceeded to a series of practical and illustrative experiments on the heads of some of the young ladies...."
--George Augustus Sala, Twice 'Round the Clock (1858) (TWITO, page 112)

As I isolate at home and practice social distancing during the pandemic, and as all barber shops and hair salons are closed, I have a frustrating problem.

I need a haircut. "We'll see what happens," as you-know-who keeps saying, ad nauseam. You'll likely see a shaggier me (if you see me at all), unless I get too tempted by the scissors -- probably not a good idea.

'Tis most vexing to issue forth in antique GODWOTTERY!

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

GODWOTTERY (noun)

1. Elaborate gardening
2. The use of archaic language

"Verily, I say, 'tis most vexing to issue forth in antique jottings, as if from the honeyed pen of Shakespeare. One feels like an artless fly-bitten coxcomb! Or a lumpish doghearted wagtail! Or even an impertinent flap-mouthed dewberry! Fie on it! Methinks I must leave off with this gleeking, sheep-biting godwottery! Art thou in agreement?" (TWITO, page 62)

How dare you call my face CABALLINE!

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

CABALLINE (adjective)

Suitable for or pertaining to a horse

"How do you expect me to swallow such a caballine tablet?" Mr. Hargreaves asked the bewildered pharmacist. (TWITO, page 26)