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Know what you want to describe but can't locate a word for it? Let the collective power of Wordies help you. Expect to be amazed at the wit and wisdom that over 10,000 minds can bring to your word search. Simply enter your description in the box and click the comment button. You should receive word as soon as one is identified or madeuped. (Much gratitude to Asativum for this solution).
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Know what you want to describe but can't locate a word for it? Let the collective power of Wordies help you. Expect to be amazed at the wit and wisdom that over 7000 minds can bring to your word search. Simply enter your description in the box and click the comment button. You should receive word as soon as one is identified or madeuped. (Much gratitude to Asativum for this solution).
At breakfast recently I put my spoon into my bowl of Sugar Puffs and one Sugar Puff, on contact with the spoon, catapulted out of the bowl, flew across the table, rebounded off the teapot with a (very satisfying) ping and finally came to rest beside the butter dish. Something I couldn't have done trying.
There must be a word that describes this kind of phenomenon. All contributions gratefully received, as they say.
I keep reading ricocereal as "rice-o-cereal" on the comments feed on the homepage and thinking "What has that got to do with anything??" Yes, I'm very smart.
You can see it lurking at the top of pulchritude, contributed by logophile, and not far from its tentative definition: a word that sounds unlike its meaning. There's even a reference to skipvia's list on the subject.
I always say in a peremptory manner, "Yes?!" Because really all they need to hear is a noise indicating there's a sentient being in there. Probably pooping.
I have always thought a ripper fart on command would do the trick very nicely, also.
Appliances that come new in boxes - uhh, microwave, fridge, printer, that sort of thing - often have little bits of blue tape inside them. The tape is there to hold moving parts in place while the appliance is in transit. When you set up the appliance part of the job is to remove all the bits of blue holding tape. But we can't call them bits of blue holding tape forever! *wails* What are they called?
How about a word for this odd overlap period you have in U.S. politics, after the presidential election and before the swearing-in? It's almost as if you have 2 presidents. There's the one who's nominally still in power, gaily playing his sideshow to pennyrollers, and another (in-waiting) who most are listening to but who has no hands on the levers. Interregnum is a wonderful word but doesn't quite fit.
It's called the lame duck period. It used to be longer, to account for vote-counting as well as the transition period, and inaugurations before ... I want to say 1936... took place on March 4, not January 20. Took them that long to move it up to January.
p.s. despite what the article says, though the amendment passed in 1933, the next inauguration in which it took effect was in 1937 (1936 being the election year).
I suppose I wasn't just referring to US politics, as we have a similar kind of situation with regards to the Senate in Australia. For example, in the November 2007 election the Australian Democrat party failed to win any seats. Nevertheless, their Senators elected in 2005 still had to serve out their 3-year term until mid-2008. So from November 2007 until July 2008 we had a Senate that was ... what? The Democrats in the Senate at that time were quite legitimate. They weren't exactly lame ducks either as there was no technical requirement or even tradition that they accede to the mandate of the 'new' Senate.
Yes I'm on Flickr but that wasn't my Flickr account with the barber shop photo. And I just recently added Wordie to my groups (I'm a sucker for this kind of thing).
I'm not sure if there's a word for this, but does anyone know why it's common practice in many TV shows and films to play something from a half-second to a second or two of dialogue before the camera switches to the speaker?
Is there a name for what I'm currently experiencing? After a week without Wordie, I can't really join your discussions, nor I can fully enjoy them. Like there's something missing.
Exactly! It's the strangest feeling. As if I've hopped on a bicycle and found I've forgotten how to ride it. I hope my experience will prove to be more like ice-skating: a few laps around the rink and I'll have found my groove again. Is there a word? Will ponder.
It's okay, you'll get back in the swing. The key is NOT to think that you missed something. :) Because even if you did, you'll find it sooner or later anyway and it will be one of those lovely pearls that makes your day.
A while back, someone came up with a word or phrase to describe the times when you google a word looking for citations, only to have the Wordie page come up as one of the first results. Can anyone remember what that term was and where it was written?
So deja vu is the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before. Does anyone know of a word for the experience of that previous occurrence?
I hadn't come across autopod Jubjub, but judging from results in Google books, it's used almost as frequently as autopodium. Pro: does autopod qualify as colloquial? Gangerh: snort!
You know when you do something like push a button or flick a switch and at exactly that moment something else goes off? An example is you turn on a light and the doorbell rings. Or, as just happened to me, I tapped the glidepad on my laptop to close a window, and the alarm clock on the other side of the room went off. Does anyoone know of a word for this specific type of co-incidence?
Back on YOW we had a discussion about this. I can't remember where, and because the search here is so pants I won't be able to find it either. Apparently it wasn't on aftermorrow.
I looked up Possible's suggestion of fists, and it directed me to index, where the American Heritage Dictionary has "A character (☞) used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called fist, hand. "
Oh! Thank you, Pro! Just today I was trying to remember what this list was called. There was a word I was looking for... although I can't remember what it was I wanted....
You're the best, prolagus. Okay, I remembered. Is there a name for the gunk that builds up on my mousepad and inside my computer's mouse? Once I had wondered whether I could use the name of that combination of dirt, sweat, and olive oil that Roman wrestlers would scrape off with strigils, but when I called the reference desk at my local library to find out what that stuff was called, the librarian said, "Oh, I know exactly the word you're looking for. It's smegma, isn't it?" I did not laugh, and eventually we found the word gloios, but I still think it's not quite right.
Is there a word simply for "someone who is sick"? I'm thinking I may just be excessively tired at 2 in the morning, but my mind is running through sick person, convalescent, patient, sufferer, sicko, victim, none of which quite fit...I can think of plenty of unhealthy or unwell adjectives to modify sick people, and many nouns from which someone can be ill, but nothing just to describe the person himself...who do doctors cure?
Is there a word that somehow expresses a combination of "ha ha ha" and "ew, gross?" For example, what should I say to yarb's geese-meeting-747 comment on jet-bugled?
I think there is an extant word for someone who is overly excited about the future or technological achievement. Can anyone think of one or make one up whose intent is clearly realised?
I once knew a twenty-dollar word meaning "to gain weight" or "to become fat." It wasn't "saginate." Any help would be appreciated . . . it's been driving me crazy for years.
Hm--impinguate might be the one. I do think it ended in -ate. It was a family joke; someone would push back from the table and say, "let us absquatulate before we . . ."
That's so cool! You could fly it by a family member and see what they think. I can only think of one other -ate, but it has less to do with the body: lucubrate.
Is there a word for when you're feeling really dumb because even though you harangue your coworkers about how they never wear bicycle helmets, you had decided that you didn't really need one this morning and you're riding your bicycle as far to the right as possible to avoid getting hit by that truck that's menacing you but never seems to want to actually pass you and then suddenly you realize you have to avoid running into a car door that's being opened right in front of you?
Dunno, but I might as well say that I have noted cyclists here using door as a verb, e.g. "I avoid Brunswick Road now, I was doored there twice last year."
I'd say something more like coochie coochie coo, unless the child is an eggman or a walrus. If the child's name is Charo, I think it's okay to leave off the "coo."
I've been trying to remember the word (or words) to describe the style of sculpture where the subject's leg is thrust forward a bit... or the torso is off-center. I want to say Donatello used it.
Edited: I inserted a hyphen into off-center. (I hope nobody besides mollusque notices.)
Is there a word for the local University's spankingly spiffing new sports centre having junk food machines installed before the building's even open? Because I'm speechless.
In mathematics, a perfect number is defined as a positive integer which is the sum of its proper positive divisors, that is, the sum of the positive divisors excluding the number itself. Is there a linguistic equivalent?
I once heard a word that described the interference in radio communications when two air traffic controllers both use the radio at the same time. I heard it while watching a show on the "Pan-am and KLM" disaster. I think it began with an h.
"Is there a word that describes a phrase or word that, when all of its voiced consonants are replaced with their respective unvoiced counterparts and conversely, continues to be a bona fide phrase or word? For example, “bat” (/bæt/) and “pad” (/pæd/) become one another under this transformation; as do (the General American pronunciations of) “dog” (/dɔɡ/) and “talk” (/tɔk/).
If not, what would be a good neologism to describe this?"
No, because words don't have factors. The words that can be formed by the letters within a word aren't essential properties of the word.
# 21 days ago Prolagus said
From marco_nj's profile:
In mathematics, a perfect number is defined as a positive integer which is the sum of its proper positive divisors, that is, the sum of the positive divisors excluding the number itself. Is there a linguistic equivalent?
Mollusque is, of course, technically correct here. Words don't have factors. Nonetheless, is it wise to discard the whole idea, which seems at the very least to have the germ of an interesting question, out of hand?
I am reminded of the delightful chapter in Hofstadter's "Le Ton Beau de Marot" in which he takes the initially unpromising question of how one might play chess on a board with hexagonal "squares" and develops it in a way that turns out to be extremely intellectually satisfying.
Is there a re-interpretation of the definition of "perfection" that makes sense, even if only by distant analogy? I am reminded of the idea of kangaroo words, where a particular word contains a shorter word with the same meaning (the joey). Extending this idea, one might imagine a perfect word to be defined as one whose letters can be anagrammed into a word or phrase with the same meaning as the original word (excluding the trivial case). I can't think of a good example offhand, but I'm sure somebody can.
An anagram with the same meaning is possible: enraged and angered. But grenade, grandee and derange are also anagrams, which detracts from the "perfection".
Perhaps a word that has one and only anagram for each letter in the word could be said to be perfect: emit, item, mite, time. But what happens if Nepalese meti (a transgender person) is adopted into English? Would the set no longer be perfect?
I think that having an anagram that uses all the letters and gives the same meaning as the original word is pretty special. Even if one doesn't feel such a word is worthy of the designation "perfect", maybe it deserves a lesser designation, e.g. "impressive". What numbers might be considered impressive?
Well... and what about special words that describe letters of the alphabet, such as em and en? And the word alphabet? And abecedarian? Those are impressive somehow.
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Know what you want to describe but can't locate a word for it? Let the collective power of Wordies help you. Expect to be amazed at the wit and wisdom that over 7000 minds can bring to your word search. Simply enter your description in the box and click the comment button. You should receive word as soon as one is identified or madeuped. (Much gratitude to Asativum for this solution).
April 19, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
At breakfast recently I put my spoon into my bowl of Sugar Puffs and one Sugar Puff, on contact with the spoon, catapulted out of the bowl, flew across the table, rebounded off the teapot with a (very satisfying) ping and finally came to rest beside the butter dish. Something I couldn't have done trying.
There must be a word that describes this kind of phenomenon. All contributions gratefully received, as they say.
April 19, 2008
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
How about ricocereal?
April 19, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Are you looking for a word that describes
1) the cereal pinball
2) the food pinball
3) the whole phenomenon
or
4) other (please specify)?
April 19, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
I think I'm looking for the cereal pinball. Does it make a satisfying splong sound?
April 20, 2008
asativum commented on the list lost-for-word
Hey, I like the simplicity of cereal pinball. But ricocereal has a great ring to it too -- maybe it's the technical term?
But what's the term for something serendipitous that I couldn't have done better if I had tried?
April 20, 2008
plethora commented on the list lost-for-word
I keep reading ricocereal as "rice-o-cereal" on the comments feed on the homepage and thinking "What has that got to do with anything??" Yes, I'm very smart.
April 20, 2008
asativum commented on the list lost-for-word
Here's one found in the wild: antiaurosemantonym
You can see it lurking at the top of pulchritude, contributed by logophile, and not far from its tentative definition: a word that sounds unlike its meaning. There's even a reference to skipvia's list on the subject.
April 22, 2008
sionnach commented on the list lost-for-word
If it had been a different kind of cereal, fruit loop the loop might have been a possibility.
April 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the list lost-for-word
There have been similar attempts at this kind of thing before, but not in a public manner, What's the word for that?.
April 25, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
OK, it's my turn.
I need help with English and this is particularly hard to ask to anyone.
You are in a public toilet, but you forgot to lock the door. What do you say when someone from outside puts his/her hand on the handle?
In Italy we say occupato (busy, occupied).
...I fear one day this piece of information could become useful...
May 3, 2008
dontcry commented on the list lost-for-word
Pro, you say one of these: sorry, occupied, just a minute, or my favorite you're pooping on my head. I think there's an Italian phrase for that, but my head's all persimmony right now.
May 3, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Of course from now on I will say you're pooping on my head. Thank you for destroying my social life. :-)
May 3, 2008
pterodactyl commented on the list lost-for-word
Pro, I usually hear occupied, just a minute, or there's someone in here. But if you want to, you could continue to say occupato -- I bet most Americans would understand it.
May 3, 2008
dontcry commented on the list lost-for-word
Prego!
May 3, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
So, you never felt the need for a formal code for this kind of event?
(Sorry, gangerh, for showering your email address with notifications)
May 3, 2008
trivet commented on the list lost-for-word
Random surprised noises also work quite well, I've found.
May 3, 2008
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
Or how about this: "HEY! Get away from me!"
Then there's this: "Why do you hate freedom?"
May 3, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
And of course, yes we have no bananas.
May 3, 2008
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
I always say in a peremptory manner, "Yes?!" Because really all they need to hear is a noise indicating there's a sentient being in there. Probably pooping.
I have always thought a ripper fart on command would do the trick very nicely, also.
July 30, 2008
plethora commented on the list lost-for-word
Whistle.
July 31, 2008
sakhalinskii commented on the list lost-for-word
"Your outrageous retort has disabled my ability to form basic plurals."
July 31, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Appliances that come new in boxes - uhh, microwave, fridge, printer, that sort of thing - often have little bits of blue tape inside them. The tape is there to hold moving parts in place while the appliance is in transit. When you set up the appliance part of the job is to remove all the bits of blue holding tape. But we can't call them bits of blue holding tape forever! *wails* What are they called?
September 4, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
bits of blue holding tape
Generic - transitape.
Brands - Transticky, Bluestick, Stayputty.
Discontinued brand - Stickaround (apparently consumers found it too difficult to remove).
September 4, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Transitape! How did you find that?!
September 4, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Just thinking inside the box, and there it was, bilby.
September 4, 2008
shevek commented on the list lost-for-word
What is the opposite of a memory?
September 28, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
I have one of those, Shevek, and as soon as I remember what it's called let me know.
September 28, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
So, we have names for our fingers. But what do we call our middle three toes?
September 29, 2008
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
A forget, listed as a noun in OED2.
September 29, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Forget? Unusual name for toes. But I like it.
See a forget of toes.
September 29, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a word for that funny, sort of pointlessly self-indulgent head toss that actors do in shampoo commercials?
September 29, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
I don't know if there's a word, but it's especially unbhairable when men do it.
September 30, 2008
frogapplause commented on the list lost-for-word
Bald men toss their heads too. Probably to position their heads for maximum shine.
September 30, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
How about a word for this odd overlap period you have in U.S. politics, after the presidential election and before the swearing-in? It's almost as if you have 2 presidents. There's the one who's nominally still in power, gaily playing his sideshow to pennyrollers, and another (in-waiting) who most are listening to but who has no hands on the levers. Interregnum is a wonderful word but doesn't quite fit.
November 28, 2008
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
It's called the lame duck period. It used to be longer, to account for vote-counting as well as the transition period, and inaugurations before ... I want to say 1936... took place on March 4, not January 20. Took them that long to move it up to January.
See this Wiki article.
p.s. despite what the article says, though the amendment passed in 1933, the next inauguration in which it took effect was in 1937 (1936 being the election year).
p.p.s. this explanation is more entertaining.
November 29, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Thanks. I'm not entirely happy though, as lame duck works well with reference to the encumbent, though less effectively for the incoming president.
* "Obama appeared on television frequently during the lame duck period."
November 29, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Not lame duck elect period, then?
November 29, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Of course, last election wasn't it 'same duck period'?
November 29, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Indeed, if Hillary had succeeded would it have been 'dame duck period'?
November 29, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
And when it was Reagan was it 'fame duck period'?
November 29, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
And 'game duck period' when it was Ford?
November 29, 2008
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
I thought the one in 2004 was 'shame duck period'.
November 29, 2008
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
The incumbent *is* the lame duck. The president-elect is something else entirely.
December 1, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
I suppose I wasn't just referring to US politics, as we have a similar kind of situation with regards to the Senate in Australia. For example, in the November 2007 election the Australian Democrat party failed to win any seats. Nevertheless, their Senators elected in 2005 still had to serve out their 3-year term until mid-2008. So from November 2007 until July 2008 we had a Senate that was ... what? The Democrats in the Senate at that time were quite legitimate. They weren't exactly lame ducks either as there was no technical requirement or even tradition that they accede to the mandate of the 'new' Senate.
December 1, 2008
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there are a word for this kind of photoshopping?
December 8, 2008
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Ha! Waisting away?
December 8, 2008
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
What is a fancy way of saying a barber shop?
January 10, 2009
rolig commented on the list lost-for-word
Hair stylist's?
January 10, 2009
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
No, I was thinking something more erudite sounding.
January 10, 2009
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
I always like to go to the tonsorialist's.
January 10, 2009
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
Ah yes so I see tonsorialist. Thank you reesetee.
January 10, 2009
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
And thanks gangerh for providing this list.
January 10, 2009
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
You're welcome. That your Flickr account, garyth? You may want to join the Wordie group there, if you haven't already. :-)
January 10, 2009
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
Yes I'm on Flickr but that wasn't my Flickr account with the barber shop photo. And I just recently added Wordie to my groups (I'm a sucker for this kind of thing).
January 10, 2009
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
Good! In that case, welcome!
January 10, 2009
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
I thought, garyth123, you were looking more specifically for a word for an 'Edinburgh barber shop'!
January 10, 2009
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
Yes I spotted that ambiguity a bit later but no I was just looking for an alternative for barber shop.
January 10, 2009
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
OK. What is a fancy way of saying an Edinburgh barber shop? Eruditely, please.
January 10, 2009
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Well, frogapplause, 'twas 3 months ago but how about hair today, shone tomorrow?
January 10, 2009
garyth123 commented on the list lost-for-word
Well Edina is the poetical name for Edinburgh. But what do you call a palindrome at the level of words?
January 10, 2009
plethora commented on the list lost-for-word
@bilby:
Airbrushing?
January 10, 2009
sarra commented on the list lost-for-word
I'm not sure if there's a word for this, but does anyone know why it's common practice in many TV shows and films to play something from a half-second to a second or two of dialogue before the camera switches to the speaker?
January 18, 2009
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a name for what I'm currently experiencing? After a week without Wordie, I can't really join your discussions, nor I can fully enjoy them. Like there's something missing.
March 21, 2009
frindley commented on the list lost-for-word
Exactly! It's the strangest feeling. As if I've hopped on a bicycle and found I've forgotten how to ride it. I hope my experience will prove to be more like ice-skating: a few laps around the rink and I'll have found my groove again. Is there a word? Will ponder.
March 21, 2009
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
Sounds like Wordierexia to me.
March 22, 2009
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
It's okay, you'll get back in the swing. The key is NOT to think that you missed something. :) Because even if you did, you'll find it sooner or later anyway and it will be one of those lovely pearls that makes your day.
March 22, 2009
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
Good advice. :-)
March 24, 2009
plethora commented on the list lost-for-word
A while back, someone came up with a word or phrase to describe the times when you google a word looking for citations, only to have the Wordie page come up as one of the first results. Can anyone remember what that term was and where it was written?
March 29, 2009
vanishedone commented on the list lost-for-word
That would be the Power of Wordie.
March 29, 2009
plethora commented on the list lost-for-word
That's it. Thanks!
March 30, 2009
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
So deja vu is the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before. Does anyone know of a word for the experience of that previous occurrence?
May 4, 2009
nobyeni commented on the list lost-for-word
Maybe a pro vu?
May 4, 2009
Telofy commented on the list lost-for-word
Hi and help! I need a word to describe the feeling you have when someone else is disappointed in you.
Thanks a bunch!
October 11, 2009
dontcry commented on the list lost-for-word
If I caused someone else to be disappointed in me, I would have feelings of guilt or inadquacy.
October 12, 2009
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
Chagrin?
October 12, 2009
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Brilliant, 'cry. Inadquacy it is then!
October 12, 2009
Telofy commented on the list lost-for-word
Thank you all, that helps.
October 12, 2009
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
What's the generic term that refers to a hand or foot (the way sibling refers to a brother or sister)?
January 5, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Appendage?
January 5, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
I thought appendage referred to a limb, doesn't it?
January 5, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Hm. Extremities?
January 5, 2010
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
I would use extremity, although that could include nose and ears as well.
January 5, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
I don't think there is a specific word......?
January 5, 2010
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Unit of measure? ;-)
January 5, 2010
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
Paws up for autopodium (illustrated here).
January 5, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Mollusque! autopodium is the word I was looking for in the first place! thank you!
And based on your comments, it seems to me there is no colloquial term for it...
January 5, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Wow. Mollusque, thank you for being totally awesome, and Prolagus thank you for looking for this word in the first place. You two just made my day.
January 5, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
autopodium deserves to become Word of the day.
January 5, 2010
Jubjub commented on the list lost-for-word
Looks like it can be abbreviated as autopod as well.
January 6, 2010
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
I hadn't come across autopod Jubjub, but judging from results in Google books, it's used almost as frequently as autopodium. Pro: does autopod qualify as colloquial? Gangerh: snort!
January 6, 2010
Jubjub commented on the list lost-for-word
Wow. I sort of feel like I'm a part of CSI:Wordnik :)
January 6, 2010
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
You know when you do something like push a button or flick a switch and at exactly that moment something else goes off? An example is you turn on a light and the doorbell rings. Or, as just happened to me, I tapped the glidepad on my laptop to close a window, and the alarm clock on the other side of the room went off. Does anyoone know of a word for this specific type of co-incidence?
January 12, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
gangerhkinesis
January 13, 2010
dontcry commented on the list lost-for-word
do, do, do, do
do, do, do, do
January 13, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
Are there actually names given to types of co-incidences?
January 13, 2010
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Hah, 'cry. Your comment has only just clicked with me! (Dawned on me?)
Spooky. (:-{
January 18, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
???
January 18, 2010
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Twilight Zone, 'score.
January 18, 2010
dontcry commented on the list lost-for-word
Yes! I'll have to pronunciate for the full effect.
January 18, 2010
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
Are there actually names given to types of co-incidences?
gleng might be one, PU.
January 19, 2010
shwetank commented on the list lost-for-word
so what is the most appropriate word for heights of stupidity..
January 20, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
If nudiustertian is the word for the day before yesterday, what is the word for the day after tomorrow?
January 22, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Sunday.
January 22, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
Heh. Very funny.
January 22, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Back on YOW we had a discussion about this. I can't remember where, and because the search here is so pants I won't be able to find it either. Apparently it wasn't on aftermorrow.
Edit: there're some suggestions on nudiustertian.
January 22, 2010
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
There is a word for putting off doing something until the day after tomorrow: perendinate. :-)
January 22, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
See also threemorrow.
January 22, 2010
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
Bilby, do you mean pants, which is a good thing? or pantsed, which is a bad thing?
Either way, there are pants involved.
January 23, 2010
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
So this is pantsful, then.
January 23, 2010
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
P.S. Chained, I think you should bracket this:
Either way, there are pants involved.
January 24, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
January 25, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there an abbreviation for: 'refer to', in a similar way as cf. is 'compare with', or 'confer' and eg. is 'example'?
February 11, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Hey, Possible... there's always re. It's not actually an abbreviation, but it is nice and 2-lettery.
February 11, 2010
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
What is the name of the "pointing hand" symbol you see in old books?
February 12, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
Fists (I think).
(Thanks ruzu.)
February 12, 2010
dontcry commented on the list lost-for-word
I just call it a pointing finger dingbat.
February 12, 2010
frogapplause commented on the list lost-for-word
I'd like to know what the pointing hand symbol is called as well!
February 12, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
frogapplause, it's rude to point. ;-)
February 12, 2010
frogapplause commented on the list lost-for-word
Does pointing your finger at someone mean anything in particular for an Italian?
February 12, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
I looked up Possible's suggestion of fists, and it directed me to index, where the American Heritage Dictionary has "A character (☞) used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called fist, hand. "
February 12, 2010
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
Well, thanks everyone. I was really hoping it would have a better name than index, fist or hand, though.
February 12, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Unicode.org uses both index and fist, but calls fist the "typographic term".
Edit: The Unicode link doesn't work. Copy and paste this: http://unicode.org/charts/charindex.html
February 12, 2010
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
PossibleUnderscore, is q.v. what you're looking for?
Edit: "your" changed to "you're".
February 12, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Expect the Apostrophe Flying Squad to arrest you very soon, moll :-(
February 12, 2010
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
Could I request an Apostrophe Flying Squid Squad instead?
February 12, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Its pos'sible.
February 12, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Oh! Thank you, Pro! Just today I was trying to remember what this list was called. There was a word I was looking for... although I can't remember what it was I wanted....
May 27, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
That's what this list is for: let's help ruzuzu find out what she wanted to ask.
Also: next time you can't remember what this list is called, just come here and ask.
May 27, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
You're the best, prolagus. Okay, I remembered. Is there a name for the gunk that builds up on my mousepad and inside my computer's mouse? Once I had wondered whether I could use the name of that combination of dirt, sweat, and olive oil that Roman wrestlers would scrape off with strigils, but when I called the reference desk at my local library to find out what that stuff was called, the librarian said, "Oh, I know exactly the word you're looking for. It's smegma, isn't it?" I did not laugh, and eventually we found the word gloios, but I still think it's not quite right.
May 27, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
If it has no name, I suggest that we take one of whichbe's "Words of the future" (Part 1, Part 2) and start using it.
May 27, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Hmmm. I like grud, with its combination of grime and crud (and with the added benefit of having the grrrr sound from finger).
May 27, 2010
milosrdenstvi commented on the list lost-for-word
Well, one of whichbe's words is godge. It has that nice gritty feeling to it, and evokes something that gets lodged in places.
May 27, 2010
milosrdenstvi commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a word simply for "someone who is sick"? I'm thinking I may just be excessively tired at 2 in the morning, but my mind is running through sick person, convalescent, patient, sufferer, sicko, victim, none of which quite fit...I can think of plenty of unhealthy or unwell adjectives to modify sick people, and many nouns from which someone can be ill, but nothing just to describe the person himself...who do doctors cure?
June 4, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
invalid?
June 4, 2010
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
I think the closest is sufferer - but I agree there's a gap there. Depends on the context I suppose.
On another note, I recently remembered what the name is for the pointing hand symbol I queried four months ago. It's a manicule.
June 4, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
patient(s)?
June 5, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a word that somehow expresses a combination of "ha ha ha" and "ew, gross?" For example, what should I say to yarb's geese-meeting-747 comment on jet-bugled?
September 3, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Dontcry just suggested Hahork.
September 3, 2010
milosrdenstvi commented on the list lost-for-word
I think there is an extant word for someone who is overly excited about the future or technological achievement. Can anyone think of one or make one up whose intent is clearly realised?
September 14, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Alvin Toffler.
September 14, 2010
gangerh commented on the list lost-for-word
superfrenzitechtocomer
September 14, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
How about a word for cloud-like formations created by wind turbines when they mix warm sea air with colder air from above?
September 17, 2010
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
contrails?
September 17, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
What about Kelvin-Helmholtz instability?
September 17, 2010
Weatherwax commented on the list lost-for-word
I once knew a twenty-dollar word meaning "to gain weight" or "to become fat." It wasn't "saginate." Any help would be appreciated . . . it's been driving me crazy for years.
September 17, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
Anything to do with tallow?
September 17, 2010
Weatherwax commented on the list lost-for-word
No . . . I think it was a preposterous latinate kind of thing.
September 17, 2010
mercy commented on the list lost-for-word
Maybe impinguate or, less likely, but more fun: steatopygous?
September 17, 2010
Weatherwax commented on the list lost-for-word
Hm--impinguate might be the one. I do think it ended in -ate. It was a family joke; someone would push back from the table and say, "let us absquatulate before we . . ."
Yep. We were not that funny.
September 17, 2010
mercy commented on the list lost-for-word
That's so cool! You could fly it by a family member and see what they think. I can only think of one other -ate, but it has less to do with the body: lucubrate.
September 17, 2010
fbharjo commented on the list lost-for-word
see Bilby's comment and image below: turbillion (or perhaps rev veer (revere))
September 24, 2010
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
Other than "non-virgin", is there a gender-neutral, non-derogatory word that is the opposite of "virgin" ?
September 26, 2010
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
If there is none, I would recommend pomace.
September 26, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a word for when you're feeling really dumb because even though you harangue your coworkers about how they never wear bicycle helmets, you had decided that you didn't really need one this morning and you're riding your bicycle as far to the right as possible to avoid getting hit by that truck that's menacing you but never seems to want to actually pass you and then suddenly you realize you have to avoid running into a car door that's being opened right in front of you?
All I could come up with this morning was hello.
October 22, 2010
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Dunno, but I might as well say that I have noted cyclists here using door as a verb, e.g. "I avoid Brunswick Road now, I was doored there twice last year."
October 22, 2010
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
In that situation, I think you want three words: take the lane - but if it really must be one, a simple bugger is probably your best bet.
Bilby, door is well established as a verb in that context.
I wear a helmet because I like the variety of light-attachment options it gives me. I currently have five blinking away up there (eight in total).
October 22, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
about 2 hours ago, on jamesmc's profile, jamesmc said
“what is the word, a techical term in speech, that means having the ability to always come up with the right word while speaking?”
October 28, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
What do you call that section in the newpaper dedicated to births, deaths and marriages?
I think it might start with 'A' but I'm not sure.
November 2, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
Obituary?
November 2, 2010
PossibleUnderscore commented on the list lost-for-word
That's it!
Thank-you.
November 2, 2010
milosrdenstvi commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a good word for flowing slowly that isn't as earthy as ooze?
November 2, 2010
sionnach commented on the list lost-for-word
ruzuzu asked: Okay, I remembered. Is there a name for the gunk that builds up on my mousepad and inside my computer's mouse?
Two terms I've heard in this general context are hand salsa and keyboard plaque.
In heating and air-conditioning ducts the relevant term is baffle jelly
November 2, 2010
fbharjo commented on the list lost-for-word
lentic is a good word for flowing slowly
November 2, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
hand salsa?
Hahork!
Thanks, sionnach.
November 2, 2010
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
Keyboard plaque sounds like exactly what it is.
November 2, 2010
milosrdenstvi commented on the list lost-for-word
FB -- how about as verb?
November 2, 2010
marky commented on the list lost-for-word
is it "goo goo g'joo" , "ku ku ka choo" or "koo koo kachoo"? when you're tickling a baby?
November 5, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
I'd say something more like coochie coochie coo, unless the child is an eggman or a walrus. If the child's name is Charo, I think it's okay to leave off the "coo."
November 5, 2010
marky commented on the list lost-for-word
that's it.. thanks ruzuzu. You've solved the mystery (in my head) .. lol :D
November 5, 2010
fbharjo commented on the list lost-for-word
exude or seep are verb forms of ooze. Do either fulfill your needs?
November 5, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Those make me think of weep and suppurate. What's flowing slowly? Is it pus? Suppurate's good for pus. :-)
November 5, 2010
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
I think we should turn this page into a stream-of-consciousness novel. Is there a word for that?
November 7, 2010
hernesheir commented on the list lost-for-word
A suggestion for the novel title: "Uh, Well Yeah, I Knew That".
November 7, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
It was a dark and stormy night. . . .
November 7, 2010
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
I've been trying to remember the word (or words) to describe the style of sculpture where the subject's leg is thrust forward a bit... or the torso is off-center. I want to say Donatello used it.
Edited: I inserted a hyphen into off-center. (I hope nobody besides mollusque notices.)
January 27, 2011
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
Egyptian style has left leg forward, but the torso isn't off-center.
January 27, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
I think the off-center part is key--it makes the sculpture more dynamic or something.
January 27, 2011
qroqqa commented on the list lost-for-word
Is it contrapposto you're after? That at least is close.
January 27, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Yes! That's it exactly. Thanks, qroqqa.
January 27, 2011
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there a word for the local University's spankingly spiffing new sports centre having junk food machines installed before the building's even open? Because I'm speechless.
January 28, 2011
reesetee commented on the list lost-for-word
I don't think that word should even be invented.
January 28, 2011
chained_bear commented on the list lost-for-word
... Cheetoism?
February 1, 2011
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
From marco_nj's profile:
February 15, 2011
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
No, because words don't have factors. The words that can be formed by the letters within a word aren't essential properties of the word.
February 16, 2011
Wordplayer commented on the list lost-for-word
I once heard a word that described the interference in radio communications when two air traffic controllers both use the radio at the same time. I heard it while watching a show on the "Pan-am and KLM" disaster. I think it began with an h.
Please help!
February 16, 2011
Wordplayer commented on the list lost-for-word
Never mind! I found it! heterodyne!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife_airport_disaster#Communication_misunderstandings
February 17, 2011
bilby commented on the list lost-for-word
Sound of chip bag opening? Read background.
March 5, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
23 days ago on Dan337's profile, Dan337 said:
"Is there a word that describes a phrase or word that, when all of its voiced consonants are replaced with their respective unvoiced counterparts and conversely, continues to be a bona fide phrase or word? For example, “bat” (/bæt/) and “pad” (/pæd/) become one another under this transformation; as do (the General American pronunciations of) “dog” (/dɔɡ/) and “talk” (/tɔk/).
If not, what would be a good neologism to describe this?"
March 8, 2011
sionnach commented on the list lost-for-word
# 21 days ago mollusque said
No, because words don't have factors. The words that can be formed by the letters within a word aren't essential properties of the word.
# 21 days ago Prolagus said
From marco_nj's profile:
In mathematics, a perfect number is defined as a positive integer which is the sum of its proper positive divisors, that is, the sum of the positive divisors excluding the number itself. Is there a linguistic equivalent?
Mollusque is, of course, technically correct here. Words don't have factors. Nonetheless, is it wise to discard the whole idea, which seems at the very least to have the germ of an interesting question, out of hand?
I am reminded of the delightful chapter in Hofstadter's "Le Ton Beau de Marot" in which he takes the initially unpromising question of how one might play chess on a board with hexagonal "squares" and develops it in a way that turns out to be extremely intellectually satisfying.
Is there a re-interpretation of the definition of "perfection" that makes sense, even if only by distant analogy? I am reminded of the idea of kangaroo words, where a particular word contains a shorter word with the same meaning (the joey). Extending this idea, one might imagine a perfect word to be defined as one whose letters can be anagrammed into a word or phrase with the same meaning as the original word (excluding the trivial case). I can't think of a good example offhand, but I'm sure somebody can.
March 9, 2011
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
An anagram with the same meaning is possible: enraged and angered. But grenade, grandee and derange are also anagrams, which detracts from the "perfection".
Perhaps a word that has one and only anagram for each letter in the word could be said to be perfect: emit, item, mite, time. But what happens if Nepalese meti (a transgender person) is adopted into English? Would the set no longer be perfect?
March 9, 2011
sionnach commented on the list lost-for-word
I think that having an anagram that uses all the letters and gives the same meaning as the original word is pretty special. Even if one doesn't feel such a word is worthy of the designation "perfect", maybe it deserves a lesser designation, e.g. "impressive". What numbers might be considered impressive?
March 9, 2011
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
142,857?
March 9, 2011
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
How about parental, paternal, prenatal which are related though not synonymous.
Of course I've been collected "perfect" words for years: panvocalics.
March 9, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Definitely 142,857. What about Mersenne primes? Or palindromic primes?
March 9, 2011
ruzuzu commented on the list lost-for-word
Well... and what about special words that describe letters of the alphabet, such as em and en? And the word alphabet? And abecedarian? Those are impressive somehow.
March 9, 2011
mollusque commented on the list lost-for-word
And dubya. I collect those too, along with the letters. And Words about words.
Come to think of it, all my lists are of perfect words. I don't list misspellings, which are the only imperfect words.
March 10, 2011
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
Is there an adjective expressing "between siblings"? E.g. using "inter-", like internecine?
I'd rather it was gender nonspecific, i.e. not using "frater-" or "soror-".
March 22, 2011
Prolagus commented on the list lost-for-word
If you want something of Latin origins, interfraternal would be the way to go - and it would not have strict gender specificity.
March 22, 2011
yarb commented on the list lost-for-word
Fair enough. Excellent service, thank you Mr P!
March 22, 2011