This word does not have the definition that it must, and therefore I will redefine it thus: interesting by virtue of texture, having a (or multiple layers of) teeth-massaging texture, interestingly and mysteriously detailed. I want this word to be attached, as I find it to be, to items that are delicious particularly because of their texture as experienced by the teeth, like the tough-crunch to smooth-melt of creme brulet or the gritty soft twisty melting web of cotton candy. It should extend to conversations and other non-food things that are interesting and enjoyable because of their many layers and delicious turns and nuances. And so it is!
"An astronomical instrument used to measure the time through the observation of the Pole Star and the position of bright stars in the celestial sphere."
One of the ugliest words ever for one of the most glorious things ever. A shame. It sounds like it means solidified plaque. "Aha, Mr. Johnson, it looks we've got quite a bit of firmament building up on the side of your molars."
"Might she see in me a louche English freeloader down on his luck, here to lure her sickly father into a glorious Indian summer where she can't follow and isn't welcome?" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 051.3).
"My daydream had me traveling to Belgium, persuading Vyvyan Ayers he needed to employ me as an amanuensis, accepting his offer to tutor me, shooting through the musical firmament, winning fame and fortune..." (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 045.5).
"Husbandry was not practiced, for no mammals walked these isles until passing whalers willfully marooned pigs here to propagate a parlor" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 011.3).
"Moreover, he possesses a handsome army of scrimshandered chessmen whom we shall keep busy until either the Prophetess's departure or the Nellie's arrival" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 005.4).
"These provocations the Moriori faced as our Lord importuned, by 'turning the other cheek,' & the transgressors returned to New Zealand confirming the Moriori's apparent pusillanimity" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 013.3).
"The doctor has his eccentricities & recounts them gladly for a dram of Portuguese pisco (never to excess), but I vouchsafe he is the only other gentleman on this latitude east of Sydney & west of Valparaiso" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 005.3).
Comments by cutlery
cutlery commented on the word toothsome
This word does not have the definition that it must, and therefore I will redefine it thus: interesting by virtue of texture, having a (or multiple layers of) teeth-massaging texture, interestingly and mysteriously detailed. I want this word to be attached, as I find it to be, to items that are delicious particularly because of their texture as experienced by the teeth, like the tough-crunch to smooth-melt of creme brulet or the gritty soft twisty melting web of cotton candy. It should extend to conversations and other non-food things that are interesting and enjoyable because of their many layers and delicious turns and nuances. And so it is!
May 30, 2011
cutlery commented on the word mercenary
I love this word as an adjective. It often cuts right through to the heart of the matter.
May 10, 2011
cutlery commented on the word serraglio
"harem; women's apartments; menagerie"
March 22, 2010
cutlery commented on the word nocturlabe
"An astronomical instrument used to measure the time through the observation of the Pole Star and the position of bright stars in the celestial sphere."
March 21, 2010
cutlery commented on the word adjudicate
a word that keeps slipping through my mental cracks
March 18, 2010
cutlery commented on the word ancillary
I absolutely hate the sound of this word. It sounds like it should be "ancillIary" and it actually makes the hair stand up on my nape, reading it.
March 13, 2010
cutlery commented on the word splashy
I think I should use this word more. I talk too often about glam parties and soirees to let it lie.
March 3, 2010
cutlery commented on the word circumambulate
I feel like this word takes the descriptive usefulness of language, and shoves it.
January 28, 2010
cutlery commented on the word vouchsafe
one of those words that runneth over my cup
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word retrousse
Useful word, this. Much more appropriate-sounding than "turned-up" or "piggish."
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word firmament
One of the ugliest words ever for one of the most glorious things ever. A shame. It sounds like it means solidified plaque. "Aha, Mr. Johnson, it looks we've got quite a bit of firmament building up on the side of your molars."
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word louche
"Might she see in me a louche English freeloader down on his luck, here to lure her sickly father into a glorious Indian summer where she can't follow and isn't welcome?" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 051.3).
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word retrousse
"Mlle. Ayers is a horsey creature of seventeen with her mama's retrousse nose" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 051.3).
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word effluent
"alleys stank of effluent" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 048.1)
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word firmament
"My daydream had me traveling to Belgium, persuading Vyvyan Ayers he needed to employ me as an amanuensis, accepting his offer to tutor me, shooting through the musical firmament, winning fame and fortune..." (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 045.5).
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word cri de coeur
"No, before you say it, I can't go running back to Pater with yet another cri de coeur" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 044.3).
January 24, 2010
cutlery commented on the word bon gré, mal gré
(French phrase) whether with good grace or bad
January 22, 2010
cutlery commented on the word husbandry
"Husbandry was not practiced, for no mammals walked these isles until passing whalers willfully marooned pigs here to propagate a parlor" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 011.3).
January 22, 2010
cutlery commented on the word scrimshandered
"Moreover, he possesses a handsome army of scrimshandered chessmen whom we shall keep busy until either the Prophetess's departure or the Nellie's arrival" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 005.4).
January 22, 2010
cutlery commented on the word polymath
"Attentive conversation is an emollient I lack sorely aboard the Prophetess & the doctor is a veritable polymath" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 005.4).
January 22, 2010
cutlery commented on the word pusillanimity
"These provocations the Moriori faced as our Lord importuned, by 'turning the other cheek,' & the transgressors returned to New Zealand confirming the Moriori's apparent pusillanimity" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 013.3).
January 22, 2010
cutlery commented on the word vouchsafe
"The doctor has his eccentricities & recounts them gladly for a dram of Portuguese pisco (never to excess), but I vouchsafe he is the only other gentleman on this latitude east of Sydney & west of Valparaiso" (Mitchell, Cloud Atlas, 005.3).
January 22, 2010