Michael Gates's Blog, page 31
May 25, 2015
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.
--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.
May 18, 2015
May 17, 2015
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)
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)
May 13, 2015
Link Mania: Wither Go Ye?
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.)
~~~
"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?
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.)
~~~
"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?
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.
May 7, 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.
April 28, 2015
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)
April 26, 2015
Photo of the Week (by me)
Scary cyclops at the local coffee shop. Click the pic for a closer view -- if you dare.
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.
