Flabberdegasky
verb. Flabbergast, or perhaps Verklempt. I lay like a log, Quite flabber-de-gasky’d, as sick as a dog! New Monthly Magazine (1822) No, the OED didn’t use Verklempt in their definition. … Continue Reading ⇒
verb. Flabbergast, or perhaps Verklempt. I lay like a log, Quite flabber-de-gasky’d, as sick as a dog! New Monthly Magazine (1822) No, the OED didn’t use Verklempt in their definition. … Continue Reading ⇒
verb. To live in a remote, rural, or provincial place. Bankrupt scholars, whose parents had been mofussilising in an inordinate degree. Qualk The Circumnavigator, George Augustus Sala (1863) Here’s a word … Continue Reading ⇒
verb. To puff up, to swell. The inflamed gout of polemical controversy..had gumfiated every mental joint and member of that zealous prop of the Relief Kirk. The Ayrshire legatees, John … Continue Reading ⇒
verb. To take part in a boozing party, to booze. Never boozify a second time with the man whom you have seen misbehave himself in his cups. Blackwood’s Magazine (1824) … Continue Reading ⇒
noun. Mopping Here a large puff and blow, and a swabification of the white handkerchief, while the congregation blow a flourish of trumpets. Tom Cringle’s log, Michael Scott (1833) My … Continue Reading ⇒
noun. The state of having an ache. O, the Pope could dispense with his Cardinalate, and his achage, and his breakage. Queen Mary, Lord Alfred Tennyson (1878) My stomache, dude, … Continue Reading ⇒
Back in May I had the good fortune to perform in Hamlet. While all others played one role, a fellow actor and I had the honor of playing “everybody else.” … Continue Reading ⇒
Humorist and language expert Roy Blount Jr talks about the concept of “sonicky” words in his new book, Alphabet Juice. “Sonicky” is a term he uses to describe language that … Continue Reading ⇒
noun. One who has scientific knowledge of lice. Mineralogists, astronomers, ornithologists, and lousologists. A memoir by Lady Holland, Sydney Smith (1835) Of all the disrespected professions, lousologists are at the top … Continue Reading ⇒
verb. To hit or smash with a fist. For though your beard do stand so fine mustated, Perhaps your nose may be transfisticated. The letting of humours blood in the … Continue Reading ⇒