wentletrap
Say it, Sam: /ˈwentlˌtrap/
noun
a marine mollusk that has a tall spiral shell with many whorls that are ringed with oblique ridges.
Family
Epitoniidae, class Gastropoda: numerous species
Origin:
mid 18th century: from Dutch wenteltrap, literally 'winding stair'
Steve Jurvetson
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The genius genus took a taxi to the conference. Tom Taxa wore his tux to tell his talk.
He spoke eloquently on the Epitoniidae but his tongue tripped, as when climbing a spiral staircase, on the
wentletrap at the center of his presentation,
Epitonium barissum (Iredale, 1936). He didn't mention that he had stopped at the nearby tony bar for some Dutch courage.
[Just for the sake of accuracy, the image above isn't the carnivorous snail species Tom Taxa was describing. The image is
Epitonium scalare.]
Words are a game. Sometimes I play alone, but I encourage YOU to play, too.