GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

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Darb
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Post by Darb »

I'm feeling decidedly esurient for the missing WOTDs for this past Friday through Sunday.

If someone would care to round em all up into a burgeoning herd, I'll volunteer to put em all out of their misery in spectacular fashion. :deviate:

p.s. Coming up on 1/2 million hits.
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Wednesday, October 07, 2009

foofaraw
\FOO-fuh-raw\ , noun: 1. Excessive or flashy ornamentation or decoration. 2. A fuss over a matter of little importance.

A somber, muted descending motif opens and closes the work, which is brief but effective. It provided much needed relief from the fanfares and foofaraw in which brass-going composers so often indulge.
-- Philip Kennicott, "Brass Spectacular is a Spectacle of Special Sound", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 17, 1997

As usual, with all cooperation with Tom Lea, Art becomes a "taking away" process rather than the adding of ornaments, rules, and other foofaraw.
-- David R. Farmer, Calgary Sun

Making the Times best-seller list, or a movie, or all that other foofaraw is not necessarily proof of [a novel's] lasting significance.
-- Roger K. Miller, "Peyton Place' was remarkably good bad novel", Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 29, 1996

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Foofaraw is perhaps from Spanish fanfarrón, "a braggart."
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
Darb
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Post by Darb »

^bump^

Ghost - sorry to raise a foofaraw, but please see my post above. ;)
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Thursday, October 08, 2009

titivate\TIT-uh-vayt\ , transitive and intransitive verb: 1. To make decorative additions to; spruce.intransitive
verb: 1. To make oneself smart or spruce.

It's easy to laugh at a book in which the heroine's husband says to her, "You look beautiful," and then adds, "So stop titivating yourself."
-- Joyce Cohen, review of To Be the Best, by Barbara Taylor Bradford, New York Times, July 31, 1988

In The Idle Class, when Chaplin is titivating in a hotel room, the cloth on his dressing table rides up and down, caught in the same furious gusts.
-- Peter Conrad, Modern Times, Modern Places

She works in Make-Up at Heartland, and sits in the wings during recordings of The People Next Door, ready to dart forward and titivate Debbie's hair when required, or powder the actors' noses if they get shiny under the lights.
-- David Lodge, Therapy

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Titivate is perhaps from tidy + the quasi-Latin ending -vate. When the word originally came into the language, it was written tidivate or tiddivate. The noun form is titivation.

:oops:
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
Darb
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Post by Darb »

At the risk of appearing to self-titivate, below is a snippet of prose I just posted elsewhere on the internet, in a thread about positive attitude and things to be grateful for.
1. Today dawned cold clear and breezy in my area. Fall is in the air, and the leaves are beginning to turn, and I am grateful to still be here to savor it. Tis the season of dying and celebration, both. Death and life, together, in one heady cup !

Hoist a mug and celebrate the new harvest, and new beer, and fresh cider, and fall squash, and fresh sausages from the animals we cannot fodder until spring. Dance if you are able, and sing and play if you are not.

Hoist a mug to the migratory birds, who still run strong with the hot blood of youth as they wing their annual way along ... chasing warmth, sun, food and mates, while we who cannot fly watch from below, in wonder and yearning.

Hoist a mug to those who came before us. Like the migratory birds who now depart, they nested and birthed us, and loved us, and kept us warm and safe, and taught us the hard ways of the world, and to not lose hope and to find meaning in all the little things, and in each other ... until time forced them to take wing for the hearafter.

2. Today, I had the pleasure of stealing a small brief kiss from the hand of beautiful Calliope. Perhaps steal is too strong a word ... she smiled politely and pretended not to notice how coarse my lips were, and then she sparkled and went out. When my wife wakes up, I'll tell her of my infidelity, and (back pain permitting) perhaps we'll take a short ride to the local cidermill, and together hoist a mug ... of fresh cider.
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Algot Runeman
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Post by Algot Runeman »

Ah, spelling heaven.

She titivated herself to titillate him. His response wasn't what she expected, though. He laughed, not from being tickled but because her eye makeup was too much and she looked like a raccoon.

His penalty wasn't fun, of course. Months of apologies and gifts and dozens of weight conscious dinners barely kept him in the house.

Moral: When she doeth titivate, don't hesitate, prevaricate; tell her she looks GREAT!
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Post by Darb »

:clap:
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Friday, October 09, 2009

convivial
\kuhn-VIV-ee-uhl\ , adjective: 1. Fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; sociable. 2. Merry; festive.

For the next hour they talked proper nouns. The hillbilly station continued full blast. Rachel opened a quart of beer for herself and things soon grew convivial.
-- Thomas Pynchon, V.

He hated to drink to excess, disliked convivial entertaining and had no gift for bonhomie.
-- Stella Tillyard, Citizen Lord

Young Sam, steeped in the family's endless storytelling, confessions, musings about their aspirations, and bickering about politics, seemed destined to become happy and convivial.
-- Andrew Hoffman, Inventing Mark Twain

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Convivial comes from Latin convivium, "a feast, entertainment, a banquet," from conviva, "a table-companion, a guest," from convivere, "to live with, hence to feast with," from com-, con-, with + vivere, "to live."

Bonus WOTD:
bonhomie \bon-uh-mee, bon-uh-mee; Fr. baw-naw-mee\, noun: frank and simple good-heartedness; a good-natured manner; friendliness; geniality.
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1795–1805; F, equiv. to bonhomme good-natured man.
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
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Algot Runeman
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Post by Algot Runeman »

Personals:
Seeking convivial companions for tailgate parties and the occasional after-game celebration with a wee bit of ale. General bonhomie is preferred, but a grumpy reaction to losing the game is understandable.

Contact: serioussportsfan at everyteamsawinner dot nfl/mlb/nhl/nba

Translation: Hey, anybody out there want to get together for a few brews before the next game?
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Tuesday, October 13, 2009

triskaidekaphobia
\tris-ky-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh\ , noun: 1. Fear or a phobia concerning the number 13.

Thirteen people, pledged to eliminate triskaidekaphobia, fear of the number 13, today tried to reassure American sufferers by renting a 13 ft plot of land in Brooklyn for 13 cents . . . a month.
-- Daily Telegraph, January 14, 1967

Past disasters linked to the number 13 hardly help triskaidekaphobics overcome their affliction. The most famous is the Apollo 13 mission, launched on April 11, 1970 (the sum of 4, 11 and 70 equals 85 - which when added together comes to 13), from Pad 39 (three times 13) at 13:13 local time, and struck by an explosion on April 13.
-- "It's just bad luck that the 13th is so often a Friday", Electronic Telegraph, September 8, 1996

Despite NASA's seemingly ingrained case of triskaidekaphobia, which forced managers to impose the bizarre, '13-free' numbering system on its flights, the crew of perhaps the most important Shuttle mission to date clearly were unsure if STS-41C was supposed to be unlucky or not.
-- Ben Evans, Space Shuttle Challenger: Ten Journeys into the Unknown

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Triskaidekaphobia is from Greek treiskaideka, triskaideka, thirteen (treis, three + kai, and + deka, ten) + phobos, fear.

Some famous triskaidekaphobes:
Napoleon
Herbert Hoover
Mark Twain
Richard Wagner
Franklin Roosevelt
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
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Algot Runeman
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Post by Algot Runeman »

Find me 13 people who suffer from triskaidekaphobia and I'll be willing to bet it would cost more than we could raise to get them all together in one place at the same time. Indeed, If we revealed our intent, it would be difficult to convince them to come one at a time, since they would know the "danger" to which they were exposing the final visitor.

On one hand, in 63 years, I've met some superstitious people, but cannot state with certainty that any were truly phobic about the number 13. That means I cannot be blamed if anybody tries to accomplish the gathering mentioned above since nobody I know, or heard about could show up. Knock on wood.

On the other hand, maybe we should just forget about the idea. Certainly, no good can come from clustering and crowding phobics or serial phobic sequencing.

Is that door really closed? I'll just push on it to be sure: 1...2...3, 1...2...3, 1...2...3

Does anybody know a good therapist?
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CodeBlower
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Post by CodeBlower »

Algot Runeman wrote:Does anybody know a good therapist?
Just walk under a couple ladders .. it freaks the phobics out and relieves stress (at least for me it does).
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Wednesday, October 14, 2009

pukka
\PUHK-uh\ , adjective: 1. Authentic; genuine. 2. Superior; first-class.

He talks like the quintessential pukka Englishman and quotes Chesterton and Kipling by the yard and yet he has chosen to live most of his adult life abroad.
-- Lynn Barber, "Bell book . . . and then what?", The Observer, August 27, 2000

If he does not have a house, the government gives him a pukka residence, not a . . . shack on the pavement but a solid construction.
-- Salman Rushdie, The Ground Beneath Her Feet

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Pukka comes from Hindi pakka, "cooked, ripe," from Sanskrit pakva-, from pacati, "he cooks."
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
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Algot Runeman
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Post by Algot Runeman »

After many hours of enthusiastic consumption, a day full of friendly conversation and liberal amounts of both food and drink, Suhendra decided that everybody would benefit from a round robin tournament of football (not American football, but soccer). While the game began well enough, it isn't surprising that some of the participants became easily winded and some found the need to leave the field for the line of trees and shrubs just past the sideline. More than a few left some or all of their lunch in the greenery.

After the game, Fitzwilliam was the acknowledged hero of the game, having scored three goals, two without any assist.

The group cheered as he accepted the "Pukka" award as best man of the day.

Nonetheless, none of the delectable damsels offered him a congratulatory kiss. They all agreed. "No matter he is the pukka player of the day; I'll not kiss the lips of a puker, no way!"
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voralfred
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Post by voralfred »

I haven't seen any contribution from our resident pukka punster and convivial triskaidekaphile for the past week. Too bad, I always enjoy them ;)

not that I don't like yours, AR; it is just that "plus on est de fous, plus on rit" as we say in French (The more fools, the more laughter, but is this an english saying?)
Human is as human does....Animals don't weep, Nine

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Algot Runeman
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Post by Algot Runeman »

voralfred a dit:
"plus on est de fous, plus on rit."
and the sentiment is absolutely correct.

I am not aware of an English (American) use of the phrase.

Call all your friends. Write all your friends. Tweet all your friends. etc.
Welcome to the wonders of the WOTD!
Friends: I, personally, have contacted all three of mine. :roll:
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CodeBlower
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Post by CodeBlower »

Image

edit: hmm .. that doesn't work for me ..

http://www.facebook.com/profile/pic.php ... 8qIMlYnP1g
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
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Algot Runeman
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Post by Algot Runeman »

CodeBlower, are you suggesting that this forum expand to include not only Word of the Day, but also Avatar of the Day?

Chop sticks, Asian Chicks
Follow on the URL clicks.

More than words, graphics by nerds,
We always like new tricks.

Please take no umbrage from my use of the term "nerd". It isn't always a pejorative term. With pride, I state that I aspire to be a nerd. Like many of my aspirations, it's unrealized.
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Thursday, October 15, 2009

fetor
\FEE-tuhr; FEE-tor\ , noun: 1. A strong, offensive smell; stench.

Inside it's pitch black & the air is hot & wet with the sweet fetor of rotting grass.
-- Peter Blegvad, "The Free Lunch", Chicago Review, June 22, 1999

When I close my eyes and summon the fond smells of childhood . . . the aroma that fills, as it were, the nostrils of my memory is the sulfurous, protein-dissolving fetor of Nair.
-- Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex

I heard the secrets passed by flapping ravens and smelled, when the wind blew right, the fetor of damp bear fur floating down the trails.
-- Doug Peacock, Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness

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Fetor comes from Latin foetor, from foetere, "to stink."
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
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voralfred
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Post by voralfred »

Some time ago, and despite heroic efforts from our Grande Dame to change the topic, just before and just after her post, a rather unusual fetor invaded the atmosphere usually so fresh of the IBDoF.
Human is as human does....Animals don't weep, Nine

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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Friday, October 16, 2009

redolent
\RED-uh-luhnt\ , adjective: 1. Having or exuding fragrance; scented; aromatic. 2. Full of fragrance; odorous; smelling (usually used with 'of' or 'with'). 3. Serving to bring to mind; evocative; suggestive; reminiscent (usually used with 'of' or 'with').

The 142-foot-long sidewheeled steamer . . . ferried people from place to place, . . . its two decks redolent with the aroma of fresh grapes, peaches, and other fruit headed for the rail spur at the Canandaigua pier, then on to markets in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
-- A. M. Sperber and Eric Lax, Bogart

The simple, semisweet and moist cake was redolent of cinnamon and nutmeg and studded with Mr. McCartney's favorite nuts, pecans.
-- Bryan Miller, "Lots of Smidgens, But Hold the Meat", New York Times, September 7, 1994

Backed by soaring sax and energetic percussion, Martin makes the sort of celebratory, Spanish party music redolent of warm weather and cocktails.
-- Lisa Verrico, Times (London), November 10, 2000

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Redolent derives from Latin redolens, -entis, present participle of redolere, "to emit a scent, to diffuse an odor," from red-, re- + olere, "to exhale an odor."
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
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CodeBlower
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Post by CodeBlower »

Algot Runeman wrote:Please take no umbrage from my use of the term "nerd". It isn't always a pejorative term. With pride, I state that I aspire to be a nerd. Like many of my aspirations, it's unrealized.
LOL. I'm comfortable with my nerdity .. mostly.

I was attempting a word-play on "pukka". My kids watch Pucca now and then -- the image was that of her from the show.

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the word.


Back on topic ..

My coworker's office reeks of redolent fetor after his chili-soup binge last night.
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
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Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Word of the Day Monday, October 19, 2009

fugacious
\fyoo-GAY-shuhs\ , adjective: 1. Lasting but a short time; fleeting.

As the rain conspires with the wind to strip the fugacious glory of the cherry blossoms, it brings a spring delicacy to our dining table.
-- Sarah Mori, "A spring delicacy", Malaysian Star

The thick, palmately lobed lead is lapped around the bud, which swiftly outgrows its protector, loses its two fugacious sepals, and opens into a star-shaped flower, one to each stem, with several fleshy white petals and a mass of golden stamens in the center.
-- Alma R. Hutchens, A Handbook of Native American Herbs

When he proposed the tax in May, Altman thought it would follow the fugacious nature of some flowers: bloom quickly and die just as fast.
-- Will Rodgers, "Parks proposal falls on 3-2 vote", Tampa Tribune, June 27, 2001

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Fugacious is derived from Latin fugax, fugac-, "ready to flee, flying; hence, fleeting, transitory," from fugere, "to flee, to take flight." Other words derived from the same root include fugitive, one who flees, especially from the law; refuge, a place to which to flee back (re-, "back"), and hence to safety; and fugue, literally a musical "flight."
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
S Adams
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CodeBlower
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Post by CodeBlower »

Fortunately, Fannie's fugliness was fugacious.
"Budge up, yeh great lump." -- Hagrid, HP:SS
-=-
The gelding is what the gelding is, unlike people who change in response to their perceptions of events that may benefit or threaten their power. -- Lorn, Chapter LXXXII, Magi'i of Cyador
Darb
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Post by Darb »

Sorry to have been remiss of late. :oops:
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