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Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:12 am
by E Pericoloso Sporgersi
Algot Runeman wrote:parclose
It appears parclose has nothin to do with a golf tournament's score.

Unless the golf ball happens to land in a parclose off course. Then of course ...

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:35 am
by Algot Runeman
keeshond

Pronunciation: /ˈkeɪshɒnd/
noun
Image of keeshond
A dog of a Dutch breed with long thick grey hair, resembling a large Pomeranian.

Origin
1920s: Dutch, from Kees (pet form of the given name Cornelius) + hond 'dog'.

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Karla carried her keys and purse in her right hand and had held the lead for her keeshond in her left. They both jumped into the SUV and headed happily to the dog park.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:35 pm
by voralfred
Algot Runeman wrote:keeshond

Pronunciation: /ˈkeɪshɒnd/
noun
Image of keeshond
A dog of a Dutch breed with long thick grey hair, resembling a large Pomeranian.

Origin
1920s: Dutch, from Kees (pet form of the given name Cornelius) + hond 'dog'.

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Karla carried her keys and purse in her right hand and had held the lead for her keeshond in her left. They both jumped into the SUV and headed happily to the dog park.

I don't know dutch, but I know some german, and I sometimes try my chance in interpreting dutch as misspelled german.

But though I correctly identified "hond" as "dog" (by analogy to Hund in german) I got to the conclusion that a Keeshond was a dog trained to smell cheese (german Käse) maybe to stop smugglers of french cheese into the Netherlands....

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:27 am
by Algot Runeman
meronym

Pronunciation: /ˈmɛrənɪm/
noun
Linguistics
A term which denotes part of something but which is used to refer to the whole of it, e.g. faces when used to mean people in I see several familiar faces present.

Origin
From Greek meros 'part' + onuma 'name'.

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Mark studied tweets and other social media to assess how commonly people used meronyms in day-to-day speech. His research revealed some surprises, but you would have to be a professional linguist to understand his results. Just being a word lover would not be enough.

[There's probably a stretch here, attempting to say "word lover" is a sort of meronym of "linguist." The WotD crowd is certainly full of word lovers, while that crowd may only possibly have many professional linguists in the mix.]

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:00 am
by E Pericoloso Sporgersi
voralfred wrote:
Algot Runeman wrote:keeshond
... I got to the conclusion that a Keeshond was a dog trained to smell cheese (german Käse) maybe to stop smugglers of french cheese into the Netherlands....
Nope.

I would have claimed with convincing authority that Dutch keeshonden smuggle Belgian cheese to France: Herve, Passendaele, Vieux Bruges, Chimay, Délice des Moines, Maredsous and many more, namely those that do not compete with but fill in the gaps and niches among the French cheeses.

But of course we're past April Fools' Day. Nevertheless those Belgian cheeses too are superb. Just ask the keeshonden.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:18 am
by E Pericoloso Sporgersi
Algot Runeman wrote:meronym
I would never attend a music festival like Tomorrowland or Glastonbury or Duisburg Love Parade.

I hate packed crowds because I tend to feel claustrophobic among that many elbows.

I guess "elbow" is the meronym.
Spoiler: show
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Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 10:38 am
by Algot Runeman
S-Bahn

Pronunciation: /ˈɛsbɑːn/
noun
(In some German cities) a fast urban railway line or system.

Origin
German, abbreviation of (Stadt) Schnellbahn '(urban) fast railway'.

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I have never ridden an S-Bahn, stuck, as I am, on that other continent. Trains, fast or slow, have a difficult time competing with automobiles in the U.S.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 6:41 am
by Algot Runeman
matrifocal

Pronunciation: /ˌmatrɪˈfəʊk(ə)l/
adjective
(Of a society, culture, etc.) based on the mother as the head of the family or household.

Origin
1950s: from Latin mater, matr- 'mother' + focal.

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Our matriarch motioned to the eldest daughter and she in turn, organized the efficient removal of all the dishware and food from the table. Everyone returned to sit, anticipating the next step. Our family is from a matrifocal society. Dad isn't actually home that often. When he is, we're happy, but life doesn't change much.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2016 10:24 am
by Algot Runeman
guttate

Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌteɪt/
adjective
chiefly Biology
Resembling drops; having drop-like markings.

Origin
Early 19th century: from Latin guttatus 'speckled', from gutta 'a drop'.

Image
Caudata.org

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I must find a salamander with guttate markings. I just gotta!

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2016 7:20 am
by Algot Runeman
abdication

Pronunciation: /ˌabdɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
1 An act of abdicating or renouncing the throne: Edward VIII did not marry until after his abdication
2 Failure to fulfil a responsibility or duty: we are witnessing an abdication of responsibility on the part of European governments

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Bob's abdication meant that Betty assumed the throne. Nothing changed. She had always been in charge anyway.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:21 am
by Algot Runeman
crunk

Pronunciation: /krʌŋk/
noun
[mass noun]
A type of hip-hop music characterized by repeatedly shouted catchphrases and elements typical of electronic dance music, such as prominent bass: at the heart of this conviction is a total lack of pretence combined with a genuine passion for music in all its many varieties, from rave to rock and punk to crunk
adjective
US informal Very excited or full of energy: get crunk with some raw hip-hop

Origin
1990s (as adjective): perhaps an altered past participle of crank1 or a blend of crazy and drunk.

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Olde folkes lyke mee, think you would be crazy or blind drunk to listen to the music that they call crunk. But then, Mom and Dad said the same in my young days of shame with that stuff we called Rock and Roll.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:11 am
by Algot Runeman
recognition

Pronunciation: /ˌrekəɡˈniSH(ə)n/
noun
1 The action or process of recognizing or being recognized, in particular.
1.1 Identification of a thing or person from previous encounters or knowledge: she saw him pass by without a sign of recognition
1.2 Acknowledgment of something’s existence, validity, or legality: the unions must receive proper recognition
1.3 Appreciation or acclaim for an achievement, service, or ability: his work was slow to gain recognition she received the award in recognition of her courageous human rights work
1.4 (also diplomatic recognition) Formal acknowledgment by a country that another political entity fulfills the conditions of statehood and is eligible to be dealt with as a member of the international community.

Origin
Late 15th century (denoting the acknowledgment of a service): from Latin recognitio(n-), from the verb recognoscere 'know again, recall to mind' (see recognize).

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There is no doubt that the administrators of IBDoF deserve recognition for their work which allows us to play with words as we do every day.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 7:22 am
by Algot Runeman
twibill

Pronunciation: /ˈtwʌɪbɪl/
noun
archaic
A double-bladed battleaxe.

Origin
Old English twibile 'axe with two cutting edges', from twi- 'double' + bill3.

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It is probably wise that the twibill is archaic. Otherwise, there would be people tripping all over them in the subway.

[Reading more about this word suggests this implement may have been developed not for fighting, but for timber framing of buildings. It was used to cut mortises for joining beams of a frame building. It has also seen use in gardening, and the modern version may have a longer handle than the original designs. Worthwhile comparisons can be made with bisaiguë halberd, pickaxe and mattock.]

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 8:01 am
by E Pericoloso Sporgersi
Algot Runeman wrote:twibill
[... Worthwhile comparisons can be made with bisaiguë halberd, pickaxe and mattock.]
So this twibill, a double-purpose tool, is also similar to a spork.

Note that the one in the image has a serrated cutting edge too, giving it a third purpose.
Though to cut your food or twist spaghetti, you'll need two of those sporks.
Spoiler: show
Image

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:09 am
by Algot Runeman
E.P.S.

All the sporks I have seen here in the US combine the fork and the spoon at the same end, more or less cutting tines into the curved tip of the spoon. This one looks more useful as a spoon, particularly.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:25 am
by E Pericoloso Sporgersi
Ah! That's where they got it.
Spock would dryly mutter: "The twouble with twibills ..."

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 6:11 am
by Algot Runeman
muckamuck

Pronunciation: /ˈmʌkəmʌk/
(also mucky-muck)
noun
North American informal
A person of great importance or self-importance.

Origin
Mid 19th century: from Chinook Jargon, shortening of high muck-a-muck.

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Some of us know how important we are. The rest of you are just muckamucks, self important, but no more than that!

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 6:49 am
by Algot Runeman
exegesis

Pronunciation: /ˌɛksɪˈdʒiːsɪs/
noun (plural exegeses /ˌɛksɪˈdʒiːsiːz/)
[mass noun]
Critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture: the task of biblical exegesis

Origin
Early 17th century: from Greek exēgēsis, from exēgeisthai 'interpret', from ex- 'out of' + hēgeisthai 'to guide, lead'.

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see'em biggerer

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Scholars of the future will not attempt an exegesis of these many WotD posts. They will more properly dismiss them as mere mental meanderings of those with too much time on their hands.

[Be it noted, the posts, seen in their current flow are ALL appreciated for their thoughtful wit and playful intent. Bring 'em on!]

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:00 am
by Algot Runeman
pulk

Pronunciation: /pʌlk/
(also pulka /ˈpʌlkə/)
noun
A type of sledge without runners, pulled by a person or dog and used especially to transport equipment and supplies: the teams will endure temperatures as low as −45C as they pull their pulks towards the southernmost point on the globe.

Origin
Norwegian, from Finnish pulka 'small sledge'.

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Paul pulled the pulk from the workshop. It wasn't a difficult job. Sawdust isn't too heavy, after all. The method was convenient, too because the pulk fit nicely under the tools so it could catch the bulk of the wood dust and Paul just towed it out to the pile outside every day or two.

[Once again, a short word defies my ability to search in the forum topic. Apologies.]

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:11 am
by Algot Runeman
pulk

Pronunciation: /pʌlk/
(also pulka /ˈpʌlkə/)
noun
A type of sledge without runners, pulled by a person or dog and used especially to transport equipment and supplies: the teams will endure temperatures as low as −45C as they pull their pulks towards the southernmost point on the globe.

Origin
Norwegian, from Finnish pulka 'small sledge'.

Image

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Paul pulled the pulk from the workshop. It wasn't a difficult job. Sawdust isn't too heavy, after all. The method was convenient, too because the pulk fit nicely under the tools so it could catch the bulk of the wood dust and Paul just towed it out to the pile outside every day or two.

[Once again, a short word defies my ability to search in the forum topic. Apologies.]

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:34 am
by Algot Runeman
cock-a-leekie

Pronunciation: /kɒkəˈliːki/
noun
[mass noun]
A soup traditionally made in Scotland with chicken and leeks.

Origin
Mid 18th century: from cock1 and leek.

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After Hennie's horror that was haggis, Angus adored his mother for her comforting cock-a-leekie soup.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 7:44 am
by Algot Runeman
torpefy

Pronunciation: /ˈtɔːpɪfʌɪ/
verb (torpefies, torpefying, torpefied)
[with object] formal
Make (someone or something) numb, paralysed, or lifeless.

Origin
Early 19th century: from Latin torpefacere, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish'.

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There's no attempt here to be wry.
I'm out to more than torpefy.
I swing and swat
To make a blot
And smash to death that stupid fly.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 9:50 am
by E Pericoloso Sporgersi
Algot Runeman wrote:torpefy
Thanks to the shaman's adjuvans, grandma was ecstatic that grandpa - well, a part of him anyway - was untorpefied.

But an illustration would be NSFW, sorry.

Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 10:55 am
by Algot Runeman
There's no question about it, E.P.S.

You are sharp as a

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Re: GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 4:35 am
by Algot Runeman
diathesis

Pronunciation: /dʌɪˈaθəsɪs/
noun (plural diatheses /dʌɪˈaθəsiːz/)
1 [usually with modifier] Medicine A tendency to suffer from a particular medical condition: a bleeding diathesis

2 Linguistics The set of syntactic patterns with which a verb or other word is most typically associated.

Origin
Mid 17th century: modern Latin, from Greek, 'disposition', from diatithenai 'arrange'. sense 2 dates from the mid 20th century.

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Users of the anti-coagulation drug Coumadin/warfarin must be aware of a more general bleeding diathesis. It is easy to watch for cuts, but internal bleeding is more serious while being less obvious. Careful monitoring of the drug's level is an important step in the use of warfarin.