GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[voralfred]

Sorry to have been remiss of late.

We are happy of any apparition of yours, even fugacious ones. I hope you feel better.

[Algot Runeman]

Remiss.
Abyss.

Heard less
word mess.

Regret?
You bet!

Can we submit our own words with or without the extensive etymological quotations?

Will Ghost be dis-spirited by our brash behaviour? (feeling British today)
If it is unacceptable. I'll behave better tomorrow.

Glorious will be my Sunday submission.

# having or deserving or conferring glory; "a long and glorious career"; "our glorious literature"
# brilliant: characterized by grandeur; "the brilliant court life at Versailles"; "a glorious work of art"; "magnificent cathedrals"; "the splendid coronation ceremony"
# having great beauty and splendor; "a glorious spring morning"; "a glorious sunset"; "splendid costumes"; "a kind of splendiferous native simplicity"
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=glorious

[CodeBlower]

When the cat's away, the mice will play.

[Algot Runeman]

Squeek! Pass another kernel of corn, please. Skitter, scratch, sniff.

Oh, what a beautiful Monday.
Oh, what a glorious day.
I am sure glad I'm retired.
What else do you think that I'd say.

[CodeBlower]

So .. I thought I'd go find some "alternate" dictionary and grab a Word of the Day to post ..

I ended up at Urban Dictionary -- basically, it's a "wikipedia" for words -- and later discovered wiktionary.org.

I was reading through Urban Dictionary, enjoying peoples' delusions of where the term "pwned" came from, when I came across an entry that reminds me of why we have forum moderators.

If people are going to be abusive and vulgar, I wish they'd do it in a language I can't read ..

.. I guess I'll just crawl back in my hole and wait for Ghost.

[umsolopagas]

basically, it's a "wikipedia" for words

I've not checked but I occasionally browse snopes.com for urban myths and when put it in the same context isn't the urban dictionary more of a wikipedia for American slang?

[Algot Runeman]

Word of the Week (a voluntary, but not spirited substitution for the regular WOTD from Ghost.

Mundane

* everyday: found in the ordinary course of events; "a placid everyday scene"; "it was a routine day"; "there's nothing quite like a real... ...

* concerned with the world or worldly matters; "mundane affairs"; "he developed an immense terrestrial practicality"

* belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly; "not a fairy palace; yet a mundane wonder of unimagined kind"; "so terrene a being as himself"
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
---
So, friends, associates and semi-passionate lovers of words and other things lexical, this is my mundane contribution to your life.

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Monday, November 30, 2009

couture\koo-TOOR\ , noun, adjective; 1. The business of designing, making, and selling highly fashionable, usually custom-made clothing for women. 2. Dressmakers and fashion designers considered as a group. 3. The high-fashion clothing created by designers.
adjective: 1. Created or produced by a fashion designer. 2. Being, having, or suggesting the style, quality, etc., of a fashion designer; very fashionable.

The stars of the 1920s, for whom Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson might stand as archetypes, were chauffeured about the city in exotic automobiles, lived on great estates, spent fortunes on their couture.
-- Kevin Starr, The Dream Endures: California Enters the 1940s (Americans and the California Dream)

Today's idea: In the midst of a recession, red America and blue America have come together, in a way, through "workwear couture" an essay says. "Never has it cost so much to look like you're just coming home from the mill or the assembly line."
-- Tom Kuntz, "Idea of the Day: Flannel-Shirt Bipartisanship", New York Times, October 27, 2009

The signature leather-armored looks of past seasons were softened this season to create a more commercial collection. "We wanted to do a little bit of couture because that's what people expect of us and we love the creative process. But, at the same time, we want a collection that is accessible to the masses," designer Katie Kay said.
-- N. Jayne Seward, "L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2010: Skingraft", Apparel News, October 20, 2009

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Couture is from French meaning sewing, from Old French cousture, from Vulgar Latin cōnsūtūra, from Latin cōnsuere, cōnsūt-, to sew together.

[Algot Runeman]

The movies up through the 1960s frequently had elegant actresses dressed in a series of costume creations, frequently suitable for knock off to the stores where ordinary people shopped. Mixed into those useful frocks, there always seemed to be one or two products of couture. My wife and I watch the older movies today, and express our dismay that few of today's movies have that attention to costume.

I know; you don't care what they wear, as long as the acting is good and the women are beautiful. You are probably inclined to say something like, "Sew what!".

Even worse, you may not care at all, as long as there is either a vampire with his shirt off or an amazing number of maimed and dead bodies left around while the hero drives madly through crowded streets in pursuit of a suave, sinister and sadistic bad guy.

Spelling mistress notice:

Spoiler: show

Intentional word play to refer to the etymology of couture and the derisive phrase "So What!"

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Tuesday, December 01, 2009

intrepid\in-TREP-id\ , adjective; 1. Fearless; bold; brave; undaunted; courageous; as, an intrepid soldier; intrepid spirit.

But the stubborn descendants of the twenty-one intrepid people who plowed through the mountains in search of the sea to the west avoided the reefs of the melodic mixup and dancing went on until dawn.
-- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude

Not as energetically, certainly, as Walt-- who was intrepid, who flung his body into every new circumstance with faith and grace and with temerity.
-- John Irving, The World According to Garp

Britain's World War I-era prime minister, David Lloyd George, whom Jones had once served as an aide, said the intrepid journalist might have been killed because he "knew too much of what was going on."
-- Associated Press, "Diary That Helped Expose Stalin's Famine Displayed", New York Times, November 13, 2009

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Intrepid comes from Latin intrepidus, "calm," from in-, "not" + trepidus, "anxious, disturbed."

[Algot Runeman]

First, thanks to Ghost for taking time to select, format and post wonderful words for our play.

Generations of intrepid explorers have walked, ridden, climbed, paddled, sailed and otherwise wandered our "blue marble". Some have done it for potential profits, some seeking glory for their accomplishments, and some simply for their personal pleasure.

Hail, Explorer. Thanks for your bold effort; thanks for telling us what you found; thanks for making our lives richer.

[CodeBlower]

The coy tour-guide led the intrepid reporter through the entry to the halls of couture.

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Thursday, December 03, 2009

roborant\ROB-uh-ruhnt\ , adjective, noun; 1. Strengthening; restoring vigor. noun: 1. A strengthening medicine; a tonic; a restorative.

A major field study of the effect of pollen extracts on the common cold and its roborant . . . effects in 775 Swedish military recruits did not give unequivocal results in relation to the prophylactic effect of the preparation used against the common cold.
-- James P. Carter, Racketeering in Medicine

That day, I felt the need of a roborant after my ghost-ridden night, and I swigged down two doses.
-- William Least Heat Moon, River Horse

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Roborant derives from the present participle of Latin roborare, "to strengthen," from robur, roboris, "strength."

[Algot Runeman]

Though I shall avoid mentioning any brand names to keep the topic elevated, there is no doubt that many companies seek to supply one gender with "enhancement" roborants.

I tire of the number of ads which appear daily on television. Some people apparently spend hours sitting in twin antique tubs watching sunsets and waiting for just the right moment. Others talk to their reflections in windows about things which are too embarrassing to mention to their doctor (in spite of the possibility that their odd conversation will be overheard by passersby on the street).

Even less clear is why "You should ask your doctor if you are healthy enough for..." that which these little pills are going to make possible. If walking to the bedroom makes you light-headed, and short of breath, with aching muscles, you might be able to figure it out for yourself. That you should avoid following that with brief, intense, energetic activity is probably obvious to you, already.

[voralfred]

I have a presentiment my dear wife is going to cook us a delicious and roborant dinner, with the autochthonous products I bought yesterday, having an animadversion for imports.

My favorite adage: "Il n'est bon goût que de Paris" (which I share with Rémy the Rat, the new Chef at "Gusteau's" - did you see the trailers of the latest Pixar movie?)

That was in 2007. This shows that Paris is famous both for haute cuisine and haute couture

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Friday, December 04, 2009

gallimaufry\gal-uh-MAW-free\ , noun; 1. A hodgepodge; jumble; confused medley.

Today bilingual programs are conducted in a gallimaufry of around 80 tongues, ranging from Spanish to Lithuanian to Micronesian Yapese.
-- Ezra Bowen, "For Learning or Ethnic Pride?", Time, July 8, 1985

We have the same eyes dark and chestnut hair. But I am a lame gallimaufry and she remains perfect.
-- Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible

Maran reports the daily jostlings and thrivings in a public school with 3,200 students, 185 teachers, 45 languages, a principal and five vice principals, five safety monitors, 62 sports teams and a gallimaufry of alternative programs, clubs and cliques.
-- Colman McCarthy, "A Writer Goes Back to School", Washington Post, August 20, 2001

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Gallimaufry, originally meaning "a hash of various kinds of meats," comes from French galimafrée, from Old French, from galer, "to rejoice, to make merry" (source of English gala) + mafrer, "to eat much," from Medieval Dutch maffelen, "to open one's mouth wide."

[Algot Runeman]

Imperfect Ten

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
No thought in the background, silence ensues.
Consider a comeback, game's been a rout.
Gallimaufry help me, something to use.

Not English, German, or Esperanto.
No, nothing, not a word and no phrases.
Dictionary, thesaurus, fail to show.
I'd settle for adwords or slang crazes.

Tomorrow will be much better, I hope.
Today spent searching for linguistic clues.
If it isn't so, concede I'm a dope.
Prepping's the key, I'll now go for a snooze.

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Monday, December 07, 2009

fatuous\FACH-oo-uhs\ , adjective; 1. Inanely foolish and unintelligent; stupid. 2. Illusory; delusive.

Publishers persist in the fatuous belief that a little hocus-pocus in the front flap blurb will so dazzle readers that they'll be too dazed to notice the quality of what's on the pages inside.
-- "A night in the city", Irish Times, October 7, 1997

No enquiry, however fatuous or ill informed, failed to receive his full attention, nor was any irrelevant personal information treated as less than engrossing.
-- Michael Palin, Hemingway's Chair

A hundred feet or so below him people were milling around, some of them beginning to look up expectantly. Clearing space for him. Even temporarily calling off the wonderful and completely fatuous hunt for Wockets.
-- Douglas Adams, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

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Fatuous comes from Latin fatuus, "foolish, idiotic, silly."

[Algot Runeman]

Sarah sat in the window seat, letting the afternoon sun warm her. She and John had finished hanging the old style storm windows that morning. The double layer of windows were now doing their job admirably. All morning, the chill of the autumn wind had challenged her body's metabolic engine and also her down jacket as the couple finished the washing of the summer grime from the main window panes. You always want to get every bit of sunlight through the windows for the winter. Rubber gloves she had used for the washing didn't keep the chill from going right through her fingers. Cozy mittens wouldn't have worked, of course.

Now, the clear glass was allowing the sun to gently deal with the chill. There wasn't a puff of breeze getting through even though the wind outside was flinging leaves off the trees. Flexing her hands was getting the blood back to her fingers. A cup of cocoa would be the final element to a moment of perfection.

John came in from the kitchen, a fatuous grin on his handsome face, and handed Sarah a huge, steaming mug. The marshmallows were already mostly melted, and her heart melted, too as she gave her ever-loving husband a generous kiss with her chocolate covered lips.

Let winter come. She would be warm.

[voralfred]

How intrepid of John and Sarah to wash the window panes in this chill autumn day!
Fortunately, nothing is as roborant as a good hot cup of cocoa.

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Tuesday, December 08, 2009

solicitous\suh-LIS-uh-tuhs\ , adjective; 1. Manifesting or expressing care or concern. 2. Full of anxiety or concern; apprehensive. 3. Extremely careful; meticulous. 4. Full of desire; eager.

He does not appear to have suffered from homesickness, although the suspicion that this might have been due to the unsatisfactory nature of his 'home' life seems belied by the tone and content of his letters; he makes frequent and solicitous inquiries after not only Mabel and his mother but also his father.
-- Matthew Sturgis, Aubrey Beardsley: A Biography

She was often solicitous of her daughter's feelings and intense reactions, trying to shield her from emotional trauma.
-- Adrienne Fried Block, Amy Beach, Passionate Victorian

He . . . was excessively solicitous, constantly apologizing for the car's poor suspension, the heat, the state of the roads, and the insane behavior of other drivers.
-- John Case, The Genesis Code

He was also solicitous of my health and would notice when I was tired or under great strain.
-- Cartha D. "Deke" DeLoach, Hoover's FBI

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Solicitous is from Latin sollicitus, "thoroughly or violently moved, disturbed, or agitated," hence "anxious, uneasy, worried," from sollus, "whole, entire" + citus, past participle of ciere, "to move, to stir."

[Algot Runeman]

Especially during the Christmas season, shoppers frequently show they are solicitous of the plight of the less fortunate. They respond, often generously, to the solicitation of support from groups like the Salvation Army with their red collection buckets and tinkling hand bells. Perhaps some donors are also apprehensive that their conspicuous consumption of good food, big presents for friends and family, etc. needs an offset.

Whatever the motive, giving is a good thing. Do as much giving as you can.

[Ghost]

Word of the Day Friday, December 11, 2009

recalcitrant\rih-KAL-sih-truhnt\ , adjective; 1. Stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority or restraint.

If they lingered too long, Clarice hurried them along in the same annoyed way she rushed recalcitrant goats through the gate.
-- Kaye Gibbons, On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon

Even then it took a sympathetic bankruptcy judge to convince a group of recalcitrant lenders that it was in their best interest to drop their opposition.
-- "So Far So Good", New York Times, May 18, 2009

This recalcitrant fellow was the only dissenter in an otherwise unanimous recommendation.
-- Sherwin B. Nuland, "Indoctrinology", New Republic, February 19, 2001

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Recalcitrant derives from Latin recalcitrare, "to kick back," from re-, "back" + calcitrare, "to strike with the heel, to kick," from calx, calc-, "the heel."

[Algot Runeman]

Luke, a recalcitrant youth, eventually grew up. His parents urged him to work harder. Teachers suffered his reluctant effort. C+ was his high grade. He endured several sessions with the police through the years, but never was officially jailed. By the time he was an adult, barely 18 to the week, he changed his ways. He joined the Marines. The amazing thing is, excelled.

[CodeBlower]

I think I know him ..