Hmm, I'm not sure, seanahan, and a couple minutes' research over at Wikipedia has me no clearer on the subject. It seems it has been called Somaliland for awhile, often with a European proper adjective tacked on the front, depending on who was occupying it at the time.
Thanks, kce, for your suggestions. I'm amazed I didn't manage to get Constantinople and Byzantium before now, and the other two were entirely new to me.
There are so many good nautical terms, aren't there? I have a list of my own. I'll probably be stealing some from you, though; your list has already reminded me that I missed ketch.
in, ankle. And I am a big fan of "rank" as well. Also, while it doesn't fit on this list exactly, this is the perfect place to mention the word pullet, which conjures all sorts of interesting images in my head.
I know it's been suggested, but I can't help re-proposing "shadow" and introducing "cap" (or capital). But then, I do have an entire list on type, so I suppose this is hardly surpirsing. Don't feel pressured to add them if you are only looking for more transitive words. And lastly, would "kids" be too ribald for this list? ;-)
I should also mention that "Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades" is the name of a Brand New song about a boy whose first time (which happens to be with an experienced wench) doesn't go to plan. Pretty clearly a reference to Rushmore, IMHO.
True, removing one prefix would leave you with "defatigable." But I found it more whimsical to go all the way and take 'em both. And this list is nothing if not chock-a-block with whimsy.
Yet another stupendous list, Asativum! I was all set to do this one, but you beat me to it.
I suggest people head on over to Wikipedia to match the collections up with their animals. And from that list, might I also suggest: bloat, skulk, flange, troop, sedge and tower.
And lastly, my friend has coined his own collective noun: a swagger of pirates. I suggest everyone put this to use in all future piratical descriptions.
That's right in line with "fatigable" and "peccable," so I'm all for it. And I'm glad I could help with your list. :-)
Thanks for helping me have fun here, everyone! My favorite part about this list is reading a "word" (most here aren't, obviously) and having to think a second before recognizing the commonly used modified form. Probaly why I loved "ert" so much, and because it sounds like yurt.
An excellent set from an original wordie! I would like to note that a recent and (relatively) high-profile reference of Jabberwocky was the song "Vogt Dig Vor Kloppervok" by The Books.
So, my OAED says that ignominy and apopleptic aren't strictly compound words, at least not at the natural divisions one would expect. (It would seem to need to be "gnominy," the word having come from "gnomen.") Infer, however, is a straightforward prefix, and an excellent addition. :-) Thanks!
Aah, I had forgotten about venison. Thanks! Yes, the food dichotomy was one of the things that stuck out for me when I listened to the BBC adaptation of Bryson's Mother Tongue. The reason for the difference between food au naturel and at table made perfect sense once explained, but was still a revelation.
"Here is an example: 'It was found that when the crepuscule arrived the children were quieter and when it was not present, they were much livelier.' What happens is you think you do not understand the whole idea, but the inability to understand comes entirely from the one word you could not define, crepuscule, which means twilight or darkness."
Wow, I didn't know slatch. Interestingly enough, my copy of Smyth's The Sailor's Word-Book doesn't even list the word. But it's an excellent one, and I've added it to both the lists you suggested. Thanks!
I realize that more than half our language is imported, but these are some words that either are particularly obvious examples of that, or are surprising, or I just think are fun to say.
"In my judgment, this new paradigmrendersobsolete Geneva's strict limitations on questioning of enemy prisoners and renders quaint some of its provisions." -Alberto Gonzales, 2002
By "Sauselito" do you in fact mean "Sausalito," the town in California? And I should mention that I'm fully on board with the punctuational appointments.
Comments by nkocharh
nkocharh commented on the list vanished-lands
Hmm, I'm not sure, seanahan, and a couple minutes' research over at Wikipedia has me no clearer on the subject. It seems it has been called Somaliland for awhile, often with a European proper adjective tacked on the front, depending on who was occupying it at the time.
Thanks, kce, for your suggestions. I'm amazed I didn't manage to get Constantinople and Byzantium before now, and the other two were entirely new to me.
January 6, 2007
nkocharh commented on the list i-don-t-give-a-damn
Somehow I didn't get to the flora. Thanks kce!
January 6, 2007
nkocharh commented on the list the-journalists-vocabulary-challenge
Thanks for the link, that site is fun!
December 17, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sailing
There are so many good nautical terms, aren't there? I have a list of my own. I'll probably be stealing some from you, though; your list has already reminded me that I missed ketch.
December 17, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list stuffie-heave-ho
in, ankle. And I am a big fan of "rank" as well. Also, while it doesn't fit on this list exactly, this is the perfect place to mention the word pullet, which conjures all sorts of interesting images in my head.
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list stuffie-butterfingers
I know it's been suggested, but I can't help re-proposing "shadow" and introducing "cap" (or capital). But then, I do have an entire list on type, so I suppose this is hardly surpirsing. Don't feel pressured to add them if you are only looking for more transitive words. And lastly, would "kids" be too ribald for this list? ;-)
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list double-double
Sadly, Wikipedia disagrees on the spelling of the first, but the second one is a fine addition.
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list bi-sonics
initiate, supposed
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list in-action-words
SMS, frag, link (as in, "You should see X." "OK, link me.")
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list double-double
Most certainly. Thanks!
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list stuffie-butterfingers
Also: by. Great list!
December 16, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list stuffie-butterfingers
trou?
December 15, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list double-trouble
Also, hoity-toity, flip-flop and hurdy-gurdy.
December 14, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word sic transit gloria
I should also mention that "Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades" is the name of a Brand New song about a boy whose first time (which happens to be with an experienced wench) doesn't go to plan. Pretty clearly a reference to Rushmore, IMHO.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word pleonasm
"PIN number" and "ATM machine" are my bêtes noires.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word fissiparous
See: Iraq
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list opposites-without-commonly-used-opposites
I fear I may have led you astray! Unbeknownst to me, controvertible is apparently a perfectly serviceable word. In fact, I've decided to go whole hog and change it to vertible on my list. Cuz that's how I roll.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sans-prefix
True, removing one prefix would leave you with "defatigable." But I found it more whimsical to go all the way and take 'em both. And this list is nothing if not chock-a-block with whimsy.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list good-names-for-a-steampunker
Thank you, angharad, that link was beautiful.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list dyads
Look at that, this list has already been assembled.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list double-trouble
topsy-turvy? teepee?
A couple corrections, if I may: "willy-nilly," "fuddy-duddy," and "hoi polloi."
Oh, and you beat me to this outstanding list. :-)
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list murders-of-crows
Yet another stupendous list, Asativum! I was all set to do this one, but you beat me to it.
I suggest people head on over to Wikipedia to match the collections up with their animals. And from that list, might I also suggest: bloat, skulk, flange, troop, sedge and tower.
And lastly, my friend has coined his own collective noun: a swagger of pirates. I suggest everyone put this to use in all future piratical descriptions.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list archaic-or-sounds-that-way
Oh, this list is just beautiful! Give me an archaic English word over a Japanese one any day of the week.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sans-prefix
That's right in line with "fatigable" and "peccable," so I'm all for it. And I'm glad I could help with your list. :-)
Thanks for helping me have fun here, everyone! My favorite part about this list is reading a "word" (most here aren't, obviously) and having to think a second before recognizing the commonly used modified form. Probaly why I loved "ert" so much, and because it sounds like yurt.
Oh, I really am a wordie, aren't I? :-D
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word liripipe
What a fantastic word! Here's a single-click link to the definition.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list unused-positives-for-negative-words
A very good start! I stole a couple. :-)
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list jabberwocky
An excellent set from an original wordie! I would like to note that a recent and (relatively) high-profile reference of Jabberwocky was the song "Vogt Dig Vor Kloppervok" by The Books.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sans-prefix
So, my OAED says that ignominy and apopleptic aren't strictly compound words, at least not at the natural divisions one would expect. (It would seem to need to be "gnominy," the word having come from "gnomen.") Infer, however, is a straightforward prefix, and an excellent addition. :-) Thanks!
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word gormless
ROFL! (I'm in a meeting right now, or I really would be.)
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word boner
You'll be wanting the UD definition of this one….
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word bonzer
My friend has a black BMW M3 which has BONZER as its license plate. I laugh every time I see it, mostly for the word's propinquity to boner.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word usabilityone.com
Ack! Spam!! :-(
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list bi-sonics
Excellent! I particularly like "primer" and "august", though I think "slough" will have to be my favorite. Favorited. :-)
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sans-prefix
Thank you all! I think "ert" is my favorite so far. :-D
Also, about peach(ment): I feel that will go nicely with (cu)cumber.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word set
Wasn't it "run" which had the greatest number of definitions?
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word ghoti
Wikipedia has a terribly interesting article on this word.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sans-prefix
You're amazing, oroboros! Thanks!
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list haberdashery
Everything to do with clothes, and the making thereof.
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list sans-prefix
Suggestions welcome!
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list peregrination
Oooh, gadabout! I knew the word, but had forgotten the definition. Thanks!
December 13, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list the-mariner-s-record
Just so.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list colbert-intro
You know when you watch The Colbert Report and all those words scroll by in the intro? These are they.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list misused-by-busilish
God, this list makes my skin crawl.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list that-sound-or-look-like-outer-space-names-and-are-hungarian
Zoltan! What does this mean in English? The only place I have heard this is in the movie Dude, Where's My Car? where it was the name of an alien.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list for-which-i-postfer-the-american-spellings
Also: pædophile, centre, cheque, draught, programme, tyre, manœuvre
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word sic transit gloria
Max Fischer: What was your major?
Rosemary Cross: I didn't have a major, but my thesis was on Latin American economic policy.
MF: Oh, that's interesting. Did you hear they're not going to teach Latin here anymore?
RC: This was more like Central America.
MF: Oh, Central America and whatnot. Hmm. But moving on: They're gonna cancel Latin. They've got to make room for Japanese.
RC: That's a shame because all the romance languages are based on Latin.
MF: Yeah, they are, aren't they?
RC: Nihilo sanctum estne?
MF: What's that? Oh, it's Latin, isn't it? What does that mean?
RC: Is nothing sacred?
MF: Sic transit gloria. Glory fades. I'm Max Fischer.
RC: Hi.
MF: Hi.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list foreignyms
Aah, I had forgotten about venison. Thanks! Yes, the food dichotomy was one of the things that stuck out for me when I listened to the BBC adaptation of Bryson's Mother Tongue. The reason for the difference between food au naturel and at table made perfect sense once explained, but was still a revelation.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list i-don-t-give-a-damn
Excellent, thanks!
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word crepuscule
This word has the dubious distinction of being used in Scientology matériel like so:
"Here is an example: 'It was found that when the crepuscule arrived the children were quieter and when it was not present, they were much livelier.' What happens is you think you do not understand the whole idea, but the inability to understand comes entirely from the one word you could not define, crepuscule, which means twilight or darkness."
There you have it, from L. Ron Hubbard himself.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list i-don-t-give-a-damn
Words which are also used as names. Suggestions welcome.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list vanished-lands
Why they changed it, I can't say
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the user nkocharh
Wow, I didn't know slatch. Interestingly enough, my copy of Smyth's The Sailor's Word-Book doesn't even list the word. But it's an excellent one, and I've added it to both the lists you suggested. Thanks!
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list foreignyms
I realize that more than half our language is imported, but these are some words that either are particularly obvious examples of that, or are surprising, or I just think are fun to say.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list vanished-lands
We call these places by different names, now.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word soporific
"It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is 'soporific.'
"I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuces; but then I am not a rabbit.
"They certainly had a very soporific effect upon the Flopsy Bunnies!"
-Beatrix Potter, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word quaint
"In my judgment, this new paradigm renders obsolete Geneva's strict limitations on questioning of enemy prisoners and renders quaint some of its provisions." -Alberto Gonzales, 2002
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list the-bow-of-idealism
"Ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow. And politics is the bow of idealism." -Bill Moyers
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list her-majesty
It appears I am not the only one in love with The Decemberists.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list trees-have-the-best-names
Wi' my best girlie by my side, we'd sing… sing… sing!
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list there-is-no-x-in-espresso-words-butchered-by-americans
I would like to propose the addition of asterisk, which I often hear pronounced "asterik".
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the list words-that-are-also-excellent-band-names-if-the-rules-below-are-correctly-applied
By "Sauselito" do you in fact mean "Sausalito," the town in California? And I should mention that I'm fully on board with the punctuational appointments.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word dhadak
Is this word misspelled, or just supremely rare? None of the references above seem to have heard of it.
December 12, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word ampersand
This word has a splendid derivation.
December 11, 2006
nkocharh commented on the word ennui
Thank you, Edward Gorey.
December 11, 2006