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 ⇒
Nonce-Word
Mofussilize
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 ⇒
Gumfiate
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 ⇒
Boozify
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 ⇒
Swabification
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 ⇒
Achage
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 ⇒
Lousologist
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 ⇒
Transfisticate
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 ⇒
Pinguiferous
adj. Fatty; causing fatness. The pinguiferous slice from the salted swine. Tait’s Magazine (1855) If you had told me before that McDonald’s food was pinguiferous, I totally would’ve avoided it. … Continue Reading ⇒
Thesmophilist
noun. One who loves law. His Bishop [Bp. Wren], that great Thesmophilist. A discourse of proper sacrifice, Sir Edward Dering (1644) Who among you loves law? Or any laws in particular? … Continue Reading ⇒