Brogrammer, hyperlocal: Dictionary.com adds words
Maybe "brogrammar" should be a word, too.
~~~
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.)
~~~
17 Slang Names for Your Significant Other from the 18th Century
"Wither-go-ye"? I guess that's better than "ball and chain".
~~~
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?
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
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.
Thursday, May 07, 2015
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.
--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.
Wednesday, May 06, 2015
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.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
Word of the Day: philocomal
What's "the word I'm thinking of"? Today, it's...
philocomal [FI-lo-cohm-al] (adjective) [TWITO, page 112]
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)
One summer I got my hair cut -- and cut and cut. My (ahem) stylist decided that, since "it's summer now," I needed a short cut. I agreed, thinking he meant "a little shorter than usual." Instead, I got shorn like a sheep. I almost looked like I was ready for boot camp. I became obsessed with philocomal mirror gazing and even went out and bought a fedora. But the haircut grew on me -- literally and figuratively. It looked pretty terrific within a couple of weeks -- or three.
(photo by me)
philocomal [FI-lo-cohm-al] (adjective) [TWITO, page 112]
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)
One summer I got my hair cut -- and cut and cut. My (ahem) stylist decided that, since "it's summer now," I needed a short cut. I agreed, thinking he meant "a little shorter than usual." Instead, I got shorn like a sheep. I almost looked like I was ready for boot camp. I became obsessed with philocomal mirror gazing and even went out and bought a fedora. But the haircut grew on me -- literally and figuratively. It looked pretty terrific within a couple of weeks -- or three.
(photo by me)
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Photo of the Week (by me)
This fellow stands guard at the local coffee shop. I think he looks a bit over-caffeinated. Click the photo for a closer view and see what you think. You have nothing better to do (or you wouldn't be here).
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Link Mania: Let's 'bang-a-bonk'!
Shakespeare Vocabulary, Part 1
It's Shakespeare's birthday (and also his death day)! Can you say "moiety"? I'm so glad my name isn't Jake Froward.
~~~
17 weird ways to say weird
Including my fave, "ostrobogulous" (TWITO, page 105). Zonky, flaky, zany, wacky -- the letter Y apparently signals weird.
~~~
50 Old British Dialect Words to Incorporate into Conversation
"Why call it beer when you can call it 'cuddle-me-buff'?" Indeed. (Go ahead. Ask someone if they would like to "bang-a-bonk". I dare you.)
~~~
24+ Brilliant New Words We Should Add to a Dictionary
I don't normally post slang words and neologisms, but these were too good to pass up. And I hate to admit it, but I sometimes do have a chairdrobe and even a floordrobe.
It's Shakespeare's birthday (and also his death day)! Can you say "moiety"? I'm so glad my name isn't Jake Froward.
~~~
17 weird ways to say weird
Including my fave, "ostrobogulous" (TWITO, page 105). Zonky, flaky, zany, wacky -- the letter Y apparently signals weird.
~~~
50 Old British Dialect Words to Incorporate into Conversation
"Why call it beer when you can call it 'cuddle-me-buff'?" Indeed. (Go ahead. Ask someone if they would like to "bang-a-bonk". I dare you.)
~~~
24+ Brilliant New Words We Should Add to a Dictionary
I don't normally post slang words and neologisms, but these were too good to pass up. And I hate to admit it, but I sometimes do have a chairdrobe and even a floordrobe.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Random Sequence: matutinal
"Then came upon the scene of matutinal industry the invaluable Burley, to assume his share of house-wifely cares."
--Marion Harland, "Taking Boarders for Company", in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, November 1864
(I found a bound copy of several issues of Godey's in my basement and have been flipping through the dusty pages.)
matutinal (adjective) = of or relating to the morning
I usually go for a long walk in the morning, on my way to the train. You might call in my matutinal constitutional.
--Marion Harland, "Taking Boarders for Company", in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, November 1864
(I found a bound copy of several issues of Godey's in my basement and have been flipping through the dusty pages.)
matutinal (adjective) = of or relating to the morning
I usually go for a long walk in the morning, on my way to the train. You might call in my matutinal constitutional.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Brain Dump
The timeliness of all material existence transcends the functioning of the body, brain, and indeed, the mind of the knower, defined and experienced as an infinitely imploded but free-flowing point of cognition. Each mental object is perceived as an ideal system for closed-truths that must remain faithful to preconceived definitions if they are to be comprehended at all. On the other hand, any ideal system of possible psychical processes that are defined as truths will remain subject to potential cognitive epiphanies that may reconfigure the mental image, defined as the revelation of perception qua perception. Consequently, the unstable subject will "believe" himself to be engaged in "clear thinking", cogitating (and indeed, conjugating) all the essential moments of the absolutely immanent. How do you like them apples?
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Word of the Day: gobemouche
What's the word I'm thinking of? Today it's...
gobemouche [GO-buh-moosh] (noun) [TWITO, page 61]
This word refers to someone who swallows flies. It can also refer to someone whose mouth is always open -- a silly, gullible person or a boor. It's also the name for a type of bird.
"You dunno nuffin. You nuffin but one big fool ob a Gobemouche. I spec you nebber heerd dat we win de battle ob Bunker Hill -- eh?"
--Albert Taylor Bledsoe, "The Gobemouchian Ideal of Government", in The Southern Review (1868)
A bug flew into my mouth once when I was a kid. I managed to spit it out, but the odd feeling stayed with me for a long time. "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly...."
gobemouche [GO-buh-moosh] (noun) [TWITO, page 61]
This word refers to someone who swallows flies. It can also refer to someone whose mouth is always open -- a silly, gullible person or a boor. It's also the name for a type of bird.
"You dunno nuffin. You nuffin but one big fool ob a Gobemouche. I spec you nebber heerd dat we win de battle ob Bunker Hill -- eh?"
--Albert Taylor Bledsoe, "The Gobemouchian Ideal of Government", in The Southern Review (1868)
A bug flew into my mouth once when I was a kid. I managed to spit it out, but the odd feeling stayed with me for a long time. "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly...."
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