Interesting article here. Actually, I like Fisher Space Pens mainly because the bullet ones are so small. There's also something a bit geeky about them.
This is what we in Scotland call the kids that come round the doors at Halloween looking for apples, sweets, etc. Traditionally they are expected to tell a joke, sing a song, or something.
A friend on Flickr heard this monstrosity in a meeting. Interestingly, another Flickr friend heard it used during a conference call the same week. Worrying isn't it?
Apparently, the first recorded use of this word was in 1907 in an American comic book. The cover featured a buxom young lady with the name Miss Blinda Blurb. Blurb became the term for the eye-catching advertisement on a book jacket.
I think it's surprising that anyone finds a list like this offensive. I can accept that these words could be combined into sentences that some would find offensive, but I agree with Lampbane that forbidding a list such as this would set a most unwelcome precedent.
Comments by sonofgroucho
Show previous 200 comments...
sonofgroucho commented on the word mixmaster blong jesus christ
I'm baffled. Am I alone in this?
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-sound-somewhat-like-elephant
How about sycophant?
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-sound-somewhat-like-elephant
It's the rhythm, isn't it?
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word albatross
Fot the uninitiated, here's the Monty Python connection.
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-sound-somewhat-like-elephant
Not so sure about ptarmigan's place in this list!
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wrong
Sorry :-(
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cuttlefish
Holy schmoley? I agree that is a bizarre quotation from mollusque.
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wrong
Uselessness: Robin and Batman, to reverse their usual order.
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wrong
Or Batman, for that matter...
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word chocolate-covered anything
Indeed.
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word orgasm
What exactly does an orgasmic snail look like?
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wrong
But why is right, right and not "wright"?
November 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wrong
Why the 'w'?
November 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word rong
Is this right---or wrong?
November 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word space pen
Interesting article here. Actually, I like Fisher Space Pens mainly because the bullet ones are so small. There's also something a bit geeky about them.
November 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word electile dysfunction
As a total political cynic, I think this one has potential!
November 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list scripted-apathy
How about "indeed", "quite", "you're so right".
November 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word knack
I love this little Dilbert clip.
A certain group of professionals might find it offensive, though.
November 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word juggler
Here's one.
November 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wella, wella, wella
This is getting out of hand!
November 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word listlessness
So many s's!
November 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word goldcrest
My Flickr friend Roger Butterfield tells me this is the smallest British bird. It's only 9 cm long. Here's Roger's picture of one.
November 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hairy cell leukaemia
Here's a reference.
November 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word punctate
Something cute about this word.
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sudoku
You may have a point there!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list writer-writer
Excellent list!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user mollusque
Nice to meet you, mollusque. I've got a feeling we'll bump into each other quite a lot.
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word flesh
There is something very fleshy about this word.
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word disguise
See also "guiser".
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word manhug
Thanks, guys!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word somniloquy
I agree, choice piece of text!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word eyeglass
I only really added this word so I could link to this witty image.
Well, I thought it was funny!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sigh
Isn't this a nice little word? Ahhhhhhh!!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word baudy
I think this should be bawdy? I made the same mistake.
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word horology
Absolutely!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word manhug
Well, mollusque, what does this mean?
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word guiser
This is what we in Scotland call the kids that come round the doors at Halloween looking for apples, sweets, etc. Traditionally they are expected to tell a joke, sing a song, or something.
Presumably has the same root as disguise.
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word knob
Seems somehow appropriate!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word metrosexual
That is brilliant. I love the Uncyclopedia. A friend on Flickr says my new glasses make me look very metrosexual.
I was feeling quite smug about it until now!
November 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sudoku
My wife is addicted to this. I regard it as The Spawn of the Devil.
November 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gargoyle
I photographed some great gargoyles recently at the Cathedral in Barcelona. Notre Dame in Paris has got some good ones too.
November 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wella, wella, wella
Is this not a line from a song in the film "Grease"?
November 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ithyphallic
Shame :-(
November 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ithyphallic
How did you get on, seanahan?
November 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tuzzy-muzzy
Que?
November 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word uniqueness
Sort of like singularity.
November 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word jarlsberg
A Swiss cheese.
November 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list the-cheese-shop
Do tell....
November 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word roulé
A nice French cheese.
November 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word edam
This well-known cheese is made backwards.
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word caboc
A nice Scottish cheese.
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ho hum
Interesting definition listed!
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list the-cheese-shop
Not specific to cheese!
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list nouns-that-i-hate-seeing-used-as-verbs
I've never seen architect used as a verb!
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word manualism
That video was superb. I liked Bohemian Rhapsody too!
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word slippery slope
I love this expression.
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word googleganger
One of my googlegangers is in business with his brother, and together they were reckoned to be worth £89 million in 2005.
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hunker down
Does anyone ever hunker up?
November 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fester
:-)
November 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word kybosh
The dictionaries seem to favour kibosh, although I think they regard this spelling as a variant.
November 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word stilton
Possibly my favourite cheese.
November 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ♖☞
Eh?
November 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word canyon
Isn't this word Grand?
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bookmark
Isn't dwindle a lovely word?
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fuzzy logic
As in this guy?
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word earworm
Now that is just cruel!
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word euthanasia
The Japanese population has the highest proportion of centenarians in the World, so maybe "youth in Asia" is not inappropriate!
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cricoid
As in cricoid cartilage.
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fuzzy logic
Love the term, but can anybody explain to me what it means?
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-make-me-foam-at-the-mouth
You lot are being deliberately obtuse!
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hopefully
Hopefully, I'll now start using this word less....
October 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word knowingly
As in "Never knowingly undersold".
October 30, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word madeupical etymology
A correspondence course, I presume?
Is there an exam? Do I get more letters after my name?
October 30, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word national security
This seems to be an excuse for practically anything!
October 30, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dominion
And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.
And death shall have no dominion.
Under the windings of the sea
They lying long shall not die windily;
Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;
Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
And the unicorn evils run them through;
Split all ends up they shan't crack;
And death shall have no dominion.
And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Though they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion.
-- Dylan Thomas
October 30, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word yacht
What a strange little word this is!
October 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list how-does-your-garden-grow
Well thank you, kind Sir!
October 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word features
I presume tag searching will appear at some stage, John?
October 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word interjection
Always think this word sounds kinda rude for some reason.
October 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fortuitous
Wasn't it fortuitous that John came up with the idea of Wordie?
October 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bonk
Your point being?
October 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word not himself
I love this expression. Who is he, then?
October 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word slither
Isn't this a lovely little word?
October 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word earworm
That has to be the ultimate earworm song!!
October 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word stud muffin
Jings, chained_bear beat me to it!
October 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word rank badyin
Glaswegian slang for "right bad one".
October 23, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word outernet
Did you make this one up, reesetee?
October 23, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word div
Possibly short for divvy.
October 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word divvy
Often shortened to div, in my experience.
October 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word borborygmous
Borborygmus?
October 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fink
Is ratfink a subspecies?
October 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ensiform
Total chaos, as usual! Isn't English wonderful?
October 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ensiform
What, like xiphoid?
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word xiphoid
As in xiphoid process.
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word honest politician
"We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office." Aesop
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word honest politician
Now there's a fascinating concept.
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word buster
Really?
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ratfink
Where on Earth does this word come from?
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word staunch
Why has it taken so long for this word to appear? Always seems come before "supporter" doesn't it?
October 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word malady
This sounds much more elegant than a disease!
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word spondulicks
OK, I've deleted the misspelling tag!
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word columbine
We could all falsely geotag ourselves to make it look as if we live in much more exotic places than we do: like Albuquerque, for example.
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word moss
It's even invaded the patio!
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word columbine
I tag all my photos in Flickr, so it has become a bit of a habit. I'm not sure if we'll ever geotag words in Wordie!
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word lupins
As in "Your lupins, or your life!"
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word moss
My lawn consists largely of this!
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word columbine
Also known as aquilegia.
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ack ack
All becomes clear!
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word spondulics
And I, and a couple of others, thought it was spondulicks.
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word spondulicks
Where on Earth does this fabulous word come from?
Actually, see spondulics.
October 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wonderful
As in "It's a Wonderful Life".
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gagging
Glad somebody said that! (giggling).
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word generation
I can read this word without thinking about The Who song.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word slut
My wife tells me our 21 year old daughter uses the term slut for both sexes. Obviously, a generational thing.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word epitomise
I guess most of you would say epitomize.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hookah
When we were in Egypt they seemed to use the term Shisha pipe.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word canals of hering
I never came across this term when I studied anatomy---a subject that I hated, incidentally.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gangster
Epitomised by The Godfather Trilogy.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word type
This brilliant little animated gif illustrates the less attractive aspects of typing.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ack ack
Martians???
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word float
Whatever floats your boat!
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word mincemeat
In the UK, as far as I know, we only eat mincemeat pies around Christmas.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gagging
As in "gagging for it"?
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wendy
There seem to be multiple meanings for this word.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word priapus
Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?
(Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me?)
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bedraggled
Who's to say your previous pronunciation is wrong?
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bedraggled
Sounds like it should accompany bewitched, bothered and bewildered.
October 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word priapus
Here's Priapus in Pompei.
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word white chocolate
Does anyone remember The Milkybar Kid?
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word pathos
One of the less popular Greek islands, perhaps?
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word debacle
How poignant...
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word chuffed
As in "fair chuffed."
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word macaroon
I've always liked this word. The stuff is quite nice too.
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word doomsday
Where did this date come from? Nostradamus?
October 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word britlish
Cute word.
October 12, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word atagging
IE Applying tags. What did you think it meant?
October 12, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list guten-tag-the-original-five-star-system
This is a brilliant concept. These are quality tags.
To think that the whole English language could be reduced to these five simple categories!
Atagging I will go....
October 12, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word weirdie
Flickr Weirdies of the World.
I could tell you about it, but then I'd have to kill you.
October 12, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word home
-- from Son of Groucho - (?)
So why leave it to go to friggin' Ikea?
October 12, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ikea
-- from Son of Groucho - (?)
October 12, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word minced oath
You mean like friggin'?
October 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fecking
I love the term "minced oath"!
October 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word amongst
I think it's a relation of betwixt, too!
October 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word betwixt
This is the same sort of word as amongst and amidst.
October 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word moist
What does "crufty" mean, or should one never ask that?
October 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word warfarin
This seems a strange word to list!
October 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wordie funs language
What exactly is this?
October 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word silly walk
These are considered important enough to have their own Ministry:
October 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hitlery channel
Funny!
October 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-make-me-foam-at-the-mouth
Correct.
October 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dzo
What a dinky little word.
October 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tasmanian devil
My daughter went to Tasmania and saw some of these.
This is what they sound like. It's maybe not so difficult to see where the term "devil" comes from!
October 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word www.hubbuzz.com
You tell 'em, John. They are clearly "The Spawn of the Devil".
October 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word periscope
The only way is up.
October 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word splendid
What a splendid word this is!
October 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word coherent
Or, in my case, more often incoherent!
October 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word serendipidy
Should this be serendipity? I made the same mistake!
October 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tirade
A bit like a rant, I think.
October 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gesundheit
So this is how it is spelt!
October 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word political correctness
I am intrigued, apparently nobody has listed greasy thug!
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word urticaria
See "atopy". Related to angio-oedema.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ikea
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ni
OOooooooo the timer sounds exciting!
On a serious note, would it not be better to give the writer a chance to preview the comment?
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word political correctness
Politically correct is often abbreviated to "pc".
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-sound-dirty-but-really-aren-t
Entertaining list!
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word atopy
Atopic illnesses include asthma, hay fever, urticaria, and atopic eczema.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word nee
On whether the Knights say this or "ni". Maybe we will never know.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ni
On whether the Knights say this or "nee".
Sorry, I appear to have said this twice and can't delete it. Help, John, it's offending my obsessional brain!
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ni
On whether the Knights say this or "nee".
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word the comfy chair
Spanish Inquisition sketch
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-remind-me-of-monty-python
Thanks, brianbackman. Just noticed your excellent advice.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ear
Eh?
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cheesemonger
There is a cheesemonger in Great Western Road in Glasgow.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word festering gob
Is this a 5 minute argument or the full half hour?
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fish
As in the Fish Slapping Dance.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word monty
As in Monty Python.
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word knight
As in The Knights Who Say "Ni".
October 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word the soft cushion
Like "the comfy chair", part of the Spanish Inquisition sketch in Monty Python IE "Not the soft cushions!"
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cheese monger
There is a cheese monger in Great Western Road in Glasgow.
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list gag-on-my-big-big-love
This list is a bit non-pc. I am deeply shocked.
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word uvula
Like Patella, this anatomical term sounds like a posh girl's name.
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word folksonomy
There is something compulsive about tagging!
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wit
Sarcasm is said to be the lowest form, but I quite like it!
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word misspelling
I am rather good at these: see "euphimism", for example.
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word succumb
If you can't beat 'um, succumb!
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list a-long-strange-trip
I am touched. This is a great idea for a list!
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word crypts of lieberkühn
I always think this sounds like something from Lord of the Rings.
October 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word barangrill
Reminds me of a Joni Mitchell song, but I can't remember which one!
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word non-pc
As in non-politically correct.
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word patella
I think Patella would be an upmarket sort of chick (to be non-pc for a moment).
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word islets of langerhans
Sounds more like an exotic holiday destination than a bit of your pancreas.
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word metacarpel
Should this not be metacarpal?
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word patella
More elegant than "kneecap", IMHO.
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word blink
This could become a classic Wordie page.
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word man flu
I can't believe that a male Wordie is the first to list this.
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dad dancing
My wife tells me I am guilty of this.
October 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word slough of despond
That's in the middle of England somewhere, isn't it?
October 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word slender
Not a description often applied to me, I'm afraid.
October 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sleekit
Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty
Wi bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murdering pattle.
I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor, earth born companion
An' fellow mortal!
I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen icker in a thrave
'S a sma' request;
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't.
Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!
It's silly wa's the win's are strewin!
An' naething, now, to big a new ane,
O' foggage green!
An' bleak December's win's ensuin,
Baith snell an' keen!
Thou saw the fields laid bare an' waste,
An' weary winter comin fast,
An' cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.
That wee bit heap o' leaves an' stibble,
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!
Now thou's turned out, for a' thy trouble,
But house or hald,
To thole the winter's sleety dribble,
An' cranreuch cauld.
But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
Still thou are blest, compared wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!
October 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word blamestorm
This is a fine word.
October 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word proof
Well that's all of us told, isn't it?
October 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word plinth
This plinth is shaped like King George IV of the UK.
October 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word nosegay
Almost always preceded by "fragrant".
October 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dad joke
Is this the jocular equivalent of "dad dancing"?
October 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word euphimism
You are right. It is a misspelling. I am a bad person.
October 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word manlaughter
What an excellent word!
October 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word nostalgia
Ain't what it used to be.
October 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word rectum
You do surprise me!
October 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word amidst
No we didn't!
October 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word amongst
"Brother word" of amidst.
October 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word frazzled
I love this word.
September 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word stookie
From the Urban Dictionary.
September 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word desire
As in "That Obscure Object of Desire".
September 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word porphyria
When I was a medical student we had a totally psychopathic Professor of Medicine who was an expert on porphyria.
September 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user iamsparkly
You have a great Wordie name.
September 20, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word flawless
A description to which I aspire.
September 19, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fetching
Even more old-fashioned than handsome.
September 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word handsome
Such a charmingly old-fashioned word.
September 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word philately
This will get you nowhere.
September 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word power
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, 1st Baron Acton (1834 - 1902)
September 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word corruption
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, 1st Baron Acton (1834 - 1902)
September 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word rabble rouser
This guy was a rabble rouser.
September 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word robosexual
This is a wonderful word.
September 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fury
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing." — Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)
September 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word zero
Hero or Zero?
September 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word beseech
"I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken."
September 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word quibble
Isn't quibble a lovely little word?
August 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word halfway
As in "I'll meet you halfway."
August 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fuzzy
As in "fuzzy logic".
August 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sibillant
I got this wrong too. Should only have one 'l' IE sibilant.
August 19, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word knight
Noted.
August 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word floss
Stuff I tell my dentist I use regularly, but I really don't.
August 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word monger
Spotted a cheese monger's shop in Glasgow the other day!
August 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dawdle
I must confess to a propensity to dawdle.
August 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word mummification
August 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bevy
The collective noun for beauties.
August 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word unruly
Is there such a word as ruly? It seems there is!
August 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ugly
I always want to spell this "uggly". Does this make me a bad person?
August 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word interloper
Here's an example of an interloper.
July 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word craic
Irish word pronounced "crack". See reference here.
July 30, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word shag
Then, of course, there is shag pile (as in carpet).
July 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wishy-washy
I'm sure I came across this one in the Charlie Brown (Peanuts) cartoons.
July 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wifi
Some say this should be "wi-fi" like "hi-fi", but I think the non-hyphenated version is commoner.
June 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word rubbish
Rubbish!
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word lollipop
We had a cat called this once.
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word parrot
Absolutely!
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cheese
As in the
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word parrot
As in the dead variety.
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word callipygian
What a great word. So useful too!
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cushion
As in "Not the soft cushion!".
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word comfy
As in "Not the comfy chair!"
June 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word embarrassment
I always feel this word should have just one 'r'. Does anyone else agree?
June 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tomb
This is my favourite tomb:
-- from Son of Groucho - (?)
June 23, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word honesty
I wonder if it is symptomatic of our cynical age that so few people list this word?
June 23, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word clatty
From urban dicitonary
June 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word quandry
I think you may have a point.
June 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word schadenfreude
"Die reinste freude ist die schadenfreude."
May 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word conspicuous
I like the expression "conspicuous by its absence", but some may regard it as a cliché.
May 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word indiscreet
Don't you think this is such a discreet word?
May 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word surprising
Isn't it strange that nobody had listed this word?
May 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word marsupial
Isn't it surprising that when I was the first person to list kangeroo 15 people had already listed marsupial?
May 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word skippy
Who could forget Skippy the bush kangeroo?
May 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word illegible
Perfectly describes my handwriting.
May 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tombstone
Fits in with one of my obsessions.
May 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dwell
What's the third one?
May 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word perdition
The road to here is paved with good intentions.
May 20, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gaff
I note some spell this gaffe.
May 19, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word perfect
I love Alanis's lyrics.
May 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word flicker
Or, even better, flickr.
May 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hussy
Most hussies are wanton in my experience.
May 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wanton
As in wanton hussy.
May 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word thingy
I'm sure both spellings would be acceptable to most people, although ninjawords and dictionary.com both seem to favour "thingy".
May 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word whimper
"This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper."
From "The Hollow Men" by TS Eliot.
May 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word caterwaul
This activity is sometimes frowned upon.
May 4, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word jest
"Many a true word spoken in jest."
May 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word snore
One of my many faults....
April 30, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word queue
Not to be confused with cue.
April 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cue
Not to be confused with queue.
April 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word epic
As in "Makes Ben Hur look like an epic".
April 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dysbenefit
I heard the Head of IT for the (British) National Health Service use this "word" on the radio last night. In fact he used it twice. What a tosser!
April 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list poetrie-appeal-to-the-grammarians
Fabulous piece of verse!
April 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word taxidermy
There's a great restaurant in Barcelona called Taxidermista: it's in a former taxidermist's premises.
April 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word thingy
I love this word.
April 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list fabulous-usernames
How about Jesus_ate_my_hamster?
April 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list fabulous-usernames
Good idea for a list!
April 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word funicular
Example of a funicular railway in Capri, Italy.
April 20, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user postnomer
Nice to meet you. I am intrigued to find you are the first person to list teuchter.
April 20, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word water
Here's a sample.
April 19, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word swithering
Isn't this a great word?
April 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word moog
As in Moog synthesizer.
April 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word impunity
Nemo me impune lacessit.
April 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word withering
My wife is a school teacher. Her withering look is a major class control tool.
April 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cleek
For a minute, I thought you meant clique. I've never heard of a cleek!
April 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word frothy
"It's frothy man" (See Cresta on this page).
April 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word intolerable
As well he might be....
April 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word irregardless
A friend on Flickr heard this monstrosity in a meeting. Interestingly, another Flickr friend heard it used during a conference call the same week. Worrying isn't it?
April 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word amethyst
For example, see here.
April 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word paunch
Not that I have one, of course....
April 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word e-penis
Fascinating stuff!
April 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list exclamations-i-don-t-think-people-actually-use-in-real-conversations
A good example of a saying that I've never heard said is "Jings! Crivens! Help ma boab!" I have no idea what it means....
April 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word graffiti
This shocking example was found at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
April 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word e-penis
What on Earth are you talking about?
April 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ecouteur
Now that is a classic Abaraxas comment!
April 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word utopia
Isn't it interesting that currently almost twice as many people are listing dystopia compared with utopia?
A sign of the times, perhaps?
April 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word mesomorph
This is what I'd like to be instead of an endomorph.
April 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ectomorph
I'm not one of these---I'm an endomorph.
April 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word endomorph
I think I'm one of these.
April 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user dumspirospero
Nice name, dude!
April 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fumarole
Nice link: thanks!
April 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word reproach
Something that I am not beyond!
April 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word doubleplusungood
Excellent newspeak word!
April 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sang-froid
Something of which I don't have enough!
April 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word thought police
IE The secret police in George Orwell's "1984".
April 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word knickers
As in "Don't get your knickers in a twist".
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word twist
As in "Don't get you knickers in a twist".
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word spork
Probably preferable to foon.
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word eructation
Burping or belching are briefer and better.
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word chav
We Scots tend to use the equivalent word "ned".
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ned
Acronym for "non-educated delinquent". Scottish equivalent of "chav".
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word vegetative
As in persistent vegetative state.
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user kicking_k
Discovered you through "dwam". Are you Scottish by any chance?
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dwam
Isn't this a great word? It means a trance-like state, but it wasn't defined as such, even in the Urban Dictionary. I've submitted a definition.
April 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user thelastgoodnameleft
Me too! :)
March 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word guffaw
My wife says I did this this morning----but I can't remember why!
March 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dove
OOooooooooooo....
March 27, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word raring
Raring to go!
March 26, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word birthday
Many thanks, uselessness. I got lots of nice presents!
March 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word zip
I prefer zilch.
March 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word veluxography
This is a word that I made up yesterday.
March 23, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word birthday
Mine today. Woopee!
March 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word blather
In Scotland I think the variant blether is more commonly used.
March 20, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word blether
Didn't realise that this is a variant of blather.
March 20, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word parting
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."
March 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word hypertonic
Or, indeed, hypotonic.
March 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bodice ripper
And I was sure I'd be the first to list this one!
March 15, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word port
Any port in a storm!
March 14, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word crumpet
Isn't this a wonderful word?
March 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word clavicle
This is the only bone that I have fractured (so far).
March 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user danceswithtrout
I really must compliment you on your Wordie name!
March 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word moonshadow
"And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth: north and south."
March 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word pluke
It's the middle of the day here! A little grossness is good for the soul!
March 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word zit
We Scots would call this a pluke.
March 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word pluke
Scottish slang for what the Americans call a zit.
March 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word family jewels
How did I know I would find you here, Abraxas?
March 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list a-testicle-by-any-other-name
How about "family jewels"?
March 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word presbyterian
Interestingly (?), this is an anagram of Britney Spears, which seems totally inappropriate!
February 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word stationery
I always have difficulty with stationary and stationery.
February 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list a-testicle-by-any-other-name
Then there's "trouser snake".....
February 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word patience
Not a virtue that I possess!
February 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list a-testicle-by-any-other-name
May I suggest "john thomas"? Though this is in the "nearby parts" category.
February 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list things-my-twenty-pound-dog-has-eaten
Hilarious! Is your dog still alive?
February 24, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tiger
"Tiger, tiger burning bright..."
February 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list flickrwords
Thanks!
February 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list adjectives-that-used-to-be-people
Interesting idea for a list.
February 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word owl
This is my favourite owl.
February 17, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word eagle
How about this one?
February 17, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word cashew
That's clever!
February 17, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word quango
I believe this is short for "quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation".
February 17, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list more-bird-wirds-north-america
How about drongo? This has another meaning (see Urban Dictionary), but it is a bird as well!
Tit is another bird name.
February 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word retrograde
....he ejaculated.
February 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list icon-words-of-the-electronic-age
Thanks for the comments folks!
@seanahan: Woops!
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list nouns-that-i-hate-seeing-used-as-verbs
Thanks for the comments.
I hope you feel better for that, Abraxas. BTW I agree about texting!
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word money
"What's the use of happiness? It can't buy you money." Henny Youngman.
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word money
"Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps you in touch with your children." J Paul Getty.
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list scripted-apathy
This is a useful, nay essential, list!
How about "you didn't"
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word rich
"Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be." Rita Rudner.
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word jaw-jaw
"To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war." Winston Churchill. Bush and Blair please note.
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word collateral damage
A bit like "friendly fire".
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user rocketeer
Greetings my friend!
February 10, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wordcount
This website claims to show the frequency with which a given word is used in a large list of words (86,800 to be precise).
February 9, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word numpty
Similar to dunderheid.
February 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word dunderheid
For definition see Urban Dictionary. Scottish version of dunderhead.
February 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word blurb
Apparently, the first recorded use of this word was in 1907 in an American comic book. The cover featured a buxom young lady with the name Miss Blinda Blurb. Blurb became the term for the eye-catching advertisement on a book jacket.
February 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list redundant-and-repetitive
How about "I personally"?
This is a great list.
February 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word kazoo
I well remember the metal kazoo I had as a child.
February 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word actually
This is actually a word I use far too often!
February 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word boggle
As in "The mind boggles!".
February 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word yay
As in "Yay or nay?"
February 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word tadger
Urban Dictionary has the definition.
February 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word gnome
Why not visit "Home for Gnomes", my Flickr Group?
February 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word free-floating
As in free-floating anxiety.
February 3, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word beaker
My favourite Muppet.
January 31, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ain't
Then there's "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".
January 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word avlusion
Are you sure you don't mean avulsion?
January 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word disgruntled
Does the word gruntled exist?
January 29, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list zz
Yep! Great idea for a list.
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word lenticular clouds
Thanks Abraxas. I realised the mistake I'd made afterwards, but since the policy is to keep the site text-only I won't try again!
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word lenticular clouds
Well, that is interesting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonofgroucho/364865502/
But mine didn't seem to work!
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word feck
What, you mean as in feckless?
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word feckless
Does anybody know what a feck is?
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word mingin
See the Urban Dictionary for definition.
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word boggin
For definition see the Urban Dictionary
January 28, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ergo
As in "Cogito ergo sum".
January 25, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fickle
As in the Fickle Finger of Fate.
January 22, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word qed
Isn't a knowledge of Latin a wonderful thing?
January 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word skyscraper
The Chrysler Building is still my favourite skyscraper.
January 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list words-that-are-also-excellent-band-names-if-the-rules-below-are-correctly-applied
Brilliant list. You have a real gift!
January 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word frangible
Thanks for introducing me to this lovely word.
January 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word orthorexia
This is practically unknown in Scotland!
January 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word golly
As in "Good Golly, Miss Molly!".
January 21, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list names-for-my-future-dog-or-cat-or-fish
Are all these names equally suitable for dogs, cats and fish?
January 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word glaikit
The Urban Dictionary has a definition of glaikit.
January 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sporran
How could a true Scotsman not include this?
January 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word sporran
How could a true Scotsman not include this?
January 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word nyaff
The Urban Dictionary has a definition of nyaff.
January 18, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list writer-s-block
You have my deepest sympathy. I could tick quite a few of those boxes myself!
January 17, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word solarisation
Or solarization, as some would say.
January 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list corporate-buzz-words-and-phrases
This list is a hoot!
January 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word ipso facto
As in "Half a bee, philosophically, must, ipso facto, half not be." From Eric the Half A Bee by the Monty Python team:
Half a bee, philosophically, must, ipso facto, half not be.
But half the bee
has got to be,
vis a vis
its entity - do you see?
But can a bee
be said to be
or not to be
an entire bee
when half the bee
is not a bee
due to some ancient injury?
Singing...
La dee dee, 1 2 3,
Eric the half a bee.
A B C D E F G,
Eric the half a bee.
Is this retched demi-bee,
half asleep upon my knee,
some freak from a menagerie?
No! It's Eric the half a bee.
Fiddle dee dum,
Fiddle dee dee,
Eric the half bee.
Ho ho ho,
Tee hee hee,
Eric the half a bee.
I love this hive employee-ee-ee (with buzzing in background)
bisected accidentally
one summer afternoon by me
I love him carnally.
He loves him carnally... (together)
...semi-carnally
(spoken)
The end
January 16, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user palooka
Greetings from an extremely driech West of Scotland.
January 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word driech
Isn't this a fabulous word. Perfectly describes the weather we're having in the West of Scotland just now!
January 13, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word thought
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought." Henri Bergson
January 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word action
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought." Henri Bergson
January 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word stealth
Is this the film you mean?
January 11, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word bahoochie
Should this not be "bahookie": Scottish slang for backside/ bottom?
I suppose the spelling of a word like this is controversial since it's rarely written down!
January 8, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word jabberwocky
Indeed!
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word endogenous
....and it's more extrovert twin "exogenous".
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wordism
I like this word, but I've got no idea what it means!
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word doom
Then, of course, there's doomsday.
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word spawn
As in "spawn of Satan".
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word groucho
Why didn't I think of this first?
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word grotesque
The derived word grotty is another good one.
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word grotty
Short for "grotesque", I believe.
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word peace of mind
This links in well with my favourite word "satisfied".
January 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user robotjohnny
Hi there from sunny Scotland (well, not really)!
January 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the list place-names-that-are-fun-to-say
How about Auchtermuchty and Auchenshuggle (both in Scotland)?
January 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word fag
Bearing in mind that a fag is generally taken to mean a cigarette in the UK.
January 6, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word wheech
For those unfamiliar with the word wheech.
January 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user bunchofpants
Welcome BOP. Nice to see a friendly "face" in this strange place.
January 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word zeitgeist
I blame it on the boogie.
January 5, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word crivens
As in "Jings! Crivens! Help ma boab!".
January 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word jings
As in "Jings! Crivens! Help ma boab!".
January 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word smegma
Surely one of the most unpleasant words in the English language?
January 2, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the user brandelion
Great to meet you brandelion: on Flickr as well as this strange place!
January 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word alarm
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary." H.L. Mencken.
January 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word eudaimonia
Thanks to stpeter for introducing me to this word: a state that I am very unlikely ever to achieve!
January 1, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word unobtainium
Excellent word.
December 31, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word pedantic
Maybe being pedantic is not necessarily a bad thing? Pedantry has just had a bad press in the past.
December 31, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word zeitgeist
I wonder why this word is so popular?
December 31, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word flickr
Ha Ha!
December 30, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word obscurity
As in "plucked from obscurity".
December 30, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word drop-dead
As in "drop-dead gorgeous".
December 30, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the list pretty-words-for-ugly-things
I have a similar list: "Beautiful Words For Unpleasant Things".
December 30, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word never odd or even
This is a brilliant palindrome.
December 30, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word winsome
You winsome, you losesome!
December 30, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word honour
"The word 'honour' in the mouth of Mr Webster is like the word 'love' in the mouth of a whore". Ralph Waldo Emerson of Daniel Webster, US politician.
December 29, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word modesty
"A modest little man with much to be modest about." Winston Churchill of Clement Atlee.
December 29, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the list exclamation-words
How about "jings", or is it only we Scots that use it?
December 28, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word remerchandising
I'm not sure this is a real word. Seen in the window of a down-market bookshop: "Sale for Remerchandising".
December 26, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word dong
I refer, of course, to "The Dong With The Luminous Nose".
December 26, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word utilise
See also utilize. It's just as bad.
December 25, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word greed
I was going to put in a reference to the Greed Is Good speech from Wall Street, but it seems Gordon Gekko didn't actually say "Greed is Good."
December 24, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word inept
Thanks, seanahan, that's interesting.
December 24, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the list erotica
I think it's surprising that anyone finds a list like this offensive. I can accept that these words could be combined into sentences that some would find offensive, but I agree with Lampbane that forbidding a list such as this would set a most unwelcome precedent.
December 23, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word politics
Politics: "A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles"
December 21, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word democracy
"Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what they think you want to hear" Alan Coren.
December 21, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word history
History: "An account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools."
December 21, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word inept
Interestingly, as far as I can see, "ept" does not exist, although some Wordies have listed it!
December 21, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word baffling
It is baffling to find that I am currently the only Wordie to list "baffling"!
December 21, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word love
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen.
December 21, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word satisfied
Money can't buy back your youth when you're old
Or a friend when you're lonesome or a love that's grown cold;
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind.
When life is over, my time has run out,
My friends and my loved ones I'll leave, there's no doubt.
But one thing for certain, when it comes my time,
I'll leave this old world with a satisfied mind.
J. H. "Red" Hayes & Jack Rhodes
Sung by Jeff Buckley.
December 19, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word havoc
"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war."
December 18, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the list slings-and-arrows-shakespearean-insults
The automated Shakespearean Insult Generator is a work of genius (obviously).
December 18, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the list bushisms-where-wings-take-dream
Did Bush actually say all of these, or are you just making them (or some of them) up? Hilarious, anyway!
December 14, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word languid
"As love without esteem is capricious and volatile; esteem without love is languid and cold." Jonathan Swift.
December 11, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word if
If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son.
December 11, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word strength
How do you know it's the longest word in English with just one vowel? I'm sure you're right.
Love your little image.
December 10, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word mortality
The Dead by Billy Collins
The dead are always looking down on us, they say.
while we are putting on our shoes or making a sandwich,
they are looking down through the glass-bottom boats of heaven
as they row themselves slowly through eternity.
They watch the tops of our heads moving below on earth,
and when we lie down in a field or on a couch,
drugged perhaps by the hum of a warm afternoon,
they think we are looking back at them,
which makes them lift their oars and fall silent
and wait, like parents, for us to close our eyes.
December 10, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word mortality
Men at My Father's Funeral by William Matthews
The ones his age who shook my hand
on their way out sent fear along
my arm like heroin. These weren't
men mute about their feelings,
or what's a body language for?
and I, the glib one, who'd stood
with my back to my father's body
and praised the heart that attacked him?
I'd made my stab at elegy,
the flesh made word: the very spit
in my mouth was sour with ruth
and eloquence. What could be worse?
Silence, the anthem of my father's
new country. And thus this babble,
like a dial tone, from our bodies.
December 10, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word romance
Because She Would Ask Me Why I Loved Her
by Christopher Brennan (1870-1932)
If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.
Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete.
For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?
Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.
December 10, 2006
sonofgroucho commented on the word grumble
"Oh, wouldn't the world seem dull and flat
With nothing whatever to grumble at?" WS Gilbert.
December 10, 2006
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