Very interesting etmyology on this one. From Hebrew "ba‘al zəbûb", meaning "lord of the flies", a Philistine deity. Puts a whole new spin on that book. Answers has some more information on the etymology, including the possibility the Zebub was actually a place, and not a thing.
Chris Matthews, on the recent Elliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, "How do these checks get written? I mean, we're talking about $5,000 for an assignation here".
There's a commercial from a couple years ago where they say "Don't be such a couch couscous", and it has stuck in my head. Disgusting stuff, I have to say.
Verb is a noun, and noun is a noun. I enjoy words which describe themselves, and the opposite, words which don't describe themselves. Monosyllabic and polysyllabic have to be the champion examples for this phenomenon.
There are a number of levels. Cow, obviously, is the first. Pig is at the second, with goat, lamb, and other higher mammals. Chicken, and other birds are generally at level 3. Fish occupy the fourth, and other weird aquatic animals are at the fifth level. So even the lowliest oyster is only 5 steps away from heaven.
Beefism is this religion I invented. The main idea is that animals, specifically cows, were created by God and given souls, and the end goal is for them to eat heaven. However, to ascend, they must be consumed by the angels of God, man. This means that you should eat as much meat as possible. Lesser animals, like pigs, are reincarnated up into cows, if they are consumed by humans.
Dogs are considered lesser angels, and they help man in his quest to consume meat. Cats are generally considered tools of Satan, as is Tofu. There are a number of schisms within Beefism, specifically as to whether or not the eating of horses is acceptable. Church doctrine says that horses are similar to dogs in that they aid man, but a growing group seems to think they qualify as meat animals. There is also an evil sect which believes that humans too have souls, and if they are eaten, they can ascend to heaven, but this heresy is stamped out wherever it is found.
I can't believe it took 14 hours for someone to add the madeupical tag.
Although, Skipvia did make up a word in his response, the fourth to last, S-something or other, never heard of it before, I'll be glad if I never hear of it again, it sounds silly.
I heard a radio interview where a woman talked about the Nazis being environmentalists, which is logical, but the woman kept using the word ironic, so I had to blog about it.
I first heard this word in Snow Crash, possibly the perfect SF novel. It is a device which sits in the woman's vagina, essentially a sharp needle filled with a chemical to knock out a would be rapist.
At work, whoever takes the last piece of cake after someone's birthday has to clean up, so people take progressively smaller pieces until there is too little left to be called a piece.
VanishedOne, there may not be a prohibition against linking to ghost words, but as a matter of personal preference I prefer to have something on each word. If you want to link to words that aren't in the database, that is just fine.
I guess that's why I'm not a librarian, although I've often considered dropping math, science, and computers for librarianism. I can't think of that first book that made me love to read. I've been reading extensively since I was maybe 8 years old, and while there are books I read back then that I still enjoy to reread, I can't think of a Book of Gold.
That makes sense, "causa pro metrica" could mean, "left out because of meter", meaning the poet left out specific information so that the poem would scan correctly.
Well, I draw analogies or quote from Shakespeare all the time, and this must be terribly frustrating to a lot of people. Culture is a strange thing. The easiest way to explain or learn something is by analogy, and when everybody understands something really well, the analogies are easy. Now, I know that many people are not fans of baseball, unless you were raised on the game, it is not something you can jump into it.
I'll occasionally watch British tv shows, and they make references to football (soccer), cricket, British politics, general British specific culture, and I'll have no idea what they are talking about. The show "How I Met Your Mother" has a running bit where the Canadian character makes references that the Americans don't get, and it's so funny because she really sells the audience that we're supposed to be getting this joke.
Any time you have people of different backgrounds, different ages, genders, or races, even different neighborhoods, different schools, and in my line of business, born on different continents, you are going to have such problems. I have not read Bryan Garner, but reading his Wikipedia entry I imagine that I'll have to. Still, I see no way that we can revert to a language without cultural influences, and it would be a travesty of epic proportions to do so.
Looking at etymonline , "Used for 'Low Germany and the Netherlands'", which describes a number of different countries. The WordNet definition makes sense this time.
With pitchers and catchers reporting last Thursday, I thought about this again, and have come up with a suitably Wordie analogy for baseball.
Every pitch is a word, every inning a sentence, every game a page. Every season forms an epic novel. A fabulous pitch is like a particularly well chosen word. A wonderful inning, late game rally, it is a beautiful sentence, "It was awful living in that hell full of angels". Pitchers and Catchers report marks the beginning of the prologue. When your team doesn't make the playoffs, it's like the ending of a novel abruptly, frustratingly. A World Series victory is like the beautiful end to a classic novel, "it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known", or "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past".
An interesting idea, but slightly disturbing. The idea that we really have enough use for the term that we need a new one is frustrating. I think your word is a bit too out there to catch on.
I've had quite a few, it's hard to pinpoint the first time I was really interested by words, but I can call a few smaller ones. I read in an essay by Isaac Asimov the etymology of the word delapidate, and was completely fascinated by how the word means something different yet somehow the same.
There's a reasonable chance that John put a 2^7 character limit on Wordie entries. I probably would have made a similar assumption if I were designing this.
What I like to do with words like this is spend a minute or two enumerating the different conceivable pronunciations, and then guessing which one is correct. I got this one right.
Don't worry about "borrowing" lists or list ideas. Wordie is what you want to make it. Don't pay attention to that crazy guy who came up with ten commandments.
When I've finally succeeded in fixing that last tricky compiler error and am able to run my code, I shout, "Compile dance", and spin my chair around, and wave my arms.
When a recession ends, you jump up and do a little jig, reaching into your wallet and throwing $20 bills up in the air with joy. I did this yesterday when reading the Fed had lowered the interest rate another half point and someone told me this meant the recession was over.
Well John, I flew halfway across the country, had dinner and drinks with family, went to bed, got up and went to an all day party with college friends, drinking and eating, passed out late that night, got up the next morning and visited with family, got back on a plane and flew home. I could have checked Wordie that night, but I was too tired, so come Monday evening, I was something like 1000 posts behind.
Random House has "key-lee", but the rest have "kay-lee". Bartleby has an audio sample attached, and there is a more noticeable pause in between the two syllables than in daily.
I had to grab my combinatorics text off my bookshelf to refresh my memory. Euler proved that an order 6 Latin square does not exist, and conjectured that it was also true for all odd multiples of 2. It turned out he was wrong about everything except 6.
Actually, that one makes sense. Message and passage, while both from French, came into Middle English, and once anglicized, they took on the English suffix. Massage came from French at a much later date, and has not been fully assimilated (thanks Bill!) into the English language, so it doesn't take on an English suffix.
From etymonline, "c.1225, messager, from O.Fr. messagier, from message (see message). With parasitic -n- inserted by c.1300 for no apparent reason except that people liked to say it that way (cf. passenger, harbinger, scavenger)."
I actually enjoyed the polemic parts of it. Pinker and I have very similar philosophies of life, politics, science, religion, etc., so I felt he was preaching to the choir. It's always nice when famous intellectuals agree with you.
It's important to note that "experience" doesn't necessarily imply human experience. A computer can examine sample problems to come up with heuristics, it is a standard technique in artificial intelligence.
It seemed to work to make me cooler (relatively, of course) when I was 14, but I think that these days it wouldn't work. For words where the "age" suffix wouldn't work, we used "action". So instead of bondage, you'd have bond-action, or for barrage, barrage-action.
It's not. It was made up at a bar by a radio guy who later reported it as the true etymology. After being confronted and asked for proof, he confessed.
"If she were 10 or 15 years younger — Lynne is 39 — she might be Carrie Underwood or Kellie Pickler, blowing away the “American Idol�? panel with her earthy, passionate voice and booking a ride to the top of the charts. While 39 doesn’t necessarily mean senescence in pop music the way it once might have — Bruce Springsteen picked up his most recent No. 1 album at age 58; that’s eight years older than Frank Sinatra was when he recorded “Strangers in the Night�? — it is a little long in the tooth to be looking for your first big hit."
The author might deserve some kind of vocabulary award.
"That particular week in early November was a good one for country pop; landing ahead of Krauss on the charts, at No. 1, was Carrie Underwood, the “American Idol�? ingénue whose second album, “Carnival Ride,�? sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week. And Reba McEntire, the country doyenne, also reached No. 1 a few weeks before that with an album of duets."
I imagine John, that at some point you call toLowerCase or the Ruby equivalent on the string before putting it into the database. Since Ž is not a-zA-Z, the method would not doing anything to it. I doubt any programming language is smart enough to recognize the bizarre Unicode characters that have upper and lower case associated with them.
Edit: I'd actually meant to use square brackets as in regex syntax for a-zA-Z. Obviously that didn't work, but I think it turned out well anyway.
Lingo is a very frustrating show, since the players always guess really stupid words. One should examine the letter pattern of the English language and guess words that have the most likely letters.
I don't think it is spam, it's just a bit confusing. We all know what meta means, and we all know what photography means, but what exactly they mean when put together is not clear. For example, metaphysics is almost completely different from physics. One is about the universe, and the other is about the mind.
The issue at hand is that the noun impact, as in "Have an impact" is being used as a verb, with impacted as the past tense. This is getting confused with impacted, the adjective, as in impacted bowel.
. Basically it is a blanket term for ice cream bars, frozen candy bars, ice cream sandwiches, and all other variety of typically frozen prepackaged desserts.
The WordNet definition lists 3 senses, the above, "any epidemic disease with a high death rate", and "a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of". The second is what you are referring to. The third is the metaphorical sense.
I recently saw this play, and it was quite excellent. The issues raised about industrialization, outsourcing, international politics, and sentience of machines are becoming more important today than they were when it was written. I also detected quite a few subtle jabs at Communism.
The Characters for a Jewish Star Wars list is quite funny, but also a bit too short for list of the year status. Sionnach's list is amusing, but not quite up to knee-slapper. The winner then, is Reesetee's Name Suggestions for Event Bigger SUVs and Trucks , a truly hilarious list.
The "Ultra-Compact" list is also funny, and can be considered "an extension of Reesetee's award winning list".
It is clear that the most innovative list has and will continue to inspire imitators. That list is the Journey of a 300-Year-Old House . Congratulations to Chained Bear, who I hope will continue to push the envelope with what we do here at Wordie.
When you see something innovative, please use the tag "innovative".
After much deliberation, and philosophizing on the true meaning of "Best Meta List", I have hereby decided that the Best Meta List for 2007 was the excellent The Several Stages of Wordie Addiction . Congratulations to Reesetee, who successfully described exactly how the rest of us act.
The tag "meta" has already been in use and hopefully will be continued into the next year.
Georgielily does indeed have some wonderful lists, but the most aesthetically pleasing has to be Trivet's, Smock, Smock, Smock list. Congratulations for this list of the year.
After thorough examination of all of the wonderful lists, I found myself completely ball snookered as to what to pick. However, each of the other nominees had some kernel of sense, some thread to hold it all together, but the winner was so completely random that I found myself in the grass in left field, and had to trek back to my apartment to finish judging this category.
Almost all of the linked dictionaries offer the drivel definition for drool. WordNet lists both definitions, although it strangely has the nonsense definition as the primary synset.
The definitions are provided by WordNet, but a comment with the definition is sufficient. I think the problem is that this word should be spelled viscosity.
Now we have to define what the meaning of the word "is" is. If I am being illogical, but say that I'm being logical, have I now changed the meaning of the word logical? You are making what I would call a "false syllogism", which is fine, but I'm of the opinion you can't just change the original meaning with the false meaning. I would say,
1. same as above,
2. Falsely used to describe specious (often subtly so) reasoning.
I think you mean we're all trying to be secular. Nondenominational, to me, implies unspecified religion, particularly unspecified Christian, and typically all Christians support Christmas.
By the bathroom criteria, I would warrant a second date! Of course, I'd probably say or do something terrible to offend her, but at least I would have been prepared.
It was hard to beat the big bad of the first season, the Master, although season 3 with the Mayor came close. It got progressively worse until the awful big bad of season 6, but season 7 was definitely a good way to go out.
I would say the English lexicon is the domain of all English words, and lexome would refer to only the words of a specific language, so they seem to overlap.
I'll tell you why, because we like to drink, and we believe there's no such thing as too much of a good thing. Because nothing really ever made sense to us, and as we grow older we realize that all the authorities figures in our life, the Catholic Church, the British Monarchy (or for us in America, the Government), minute differences between people causing so much violence, the worldwide epidemic and famine and pestilence, all of it. And when we drink, it all just kind of goes away.
I first heard this word as the title of track 3 of the Everclear album "So Much for the Afterglow", which was about a short statement about anti-depressants.
As a person who has studied logic quite a bit, I can say I don't actually think like that. What VanishedOne did was essentially proving what is called modus tollens. I would have phrase the problem as to prove "not for all X, man(x) -> tall(x)", and by moving the negation across the universal quantifier, you get "exists x such that not man(x) -> tall(x)", and by expanding the implication, "exists x such that not(not man(x) or tall(x))" and by distributing the not, you get "exists x such that man(x) and not tall(x)", which means if you find a 7 foot tall man, you have disproved the original statement that all man are below that height. Again, this is proved for you already in modus tollens, you never actually have to perform this proof. Larger logic proofs do however take this kind of form.
Uh, Scotch is Scottish Whisky, which they just call Whisky when you're in Scotland. There is also Whiskey, which is typically Irish, although many places make it now.
Is there actually a twist involved in this, or is this a circular piece of paper? How does this physically work? It doesn't seem like it would be easy to automate this.
I would say disconcerted means you are no longer giving a concerted effort, so the term holds. Also, you have a word like handful, but clearly you wouldn't ever need handless, it is a meaning full concept. Something can be full of wonder, or it can be normal.
This is a great word. I agree with Chained_Beat wholeheartedly. I would probably also use this word to describe anyone who didn't like The Princess Bride, or anyone who listed Harry Potter as one of their favorite movies.
Maybe we can also use this to describe people who watch movies based on books but never actually read the book. I'm thinking Jurassic Park, LotR, and "I, Robot"(not actually based on the stories),
Actually pomegranate, linguistically speaking, common does tend to make it correct. A lot of words we use have different meanings now than when they were coined. We can't expect all words to keep the correct Latin meaning. delapidate, for example, doesn't mean what it does today, do you have a problem with that?
I think Rolig means noun phrase. I would tend to agree with Bilby, and for this purpose, and Ockham's razor, it makes sense to consider text to be an adjective.
I'm down with what you're saying Sionnach, that quarks have a certain charm, although that sounds pretty strange. You're usually on top of such things, and cut straight to what's up and getting to the bottom of such things. Hopefully bashing WordNet is just a flavor of the week, since it isn't actually a dictionary.
I think my main idea of WOTY was for it to be a new word, because otherwise we are choosing from a much larger pool of words. Most such lists award a neologism from that year or a word which no one had heard before that year. For example, truthiness existed, but in a different sense, and nobody had heard it. We could split into different types of word of the year if that's what people want.
True story Bilby, that happened to you? I often find myself explaining to people how Eskimo's (their term, I'm told Inuit is correct) don't really have hundreds of words for snow when English only has one. This is a gross misunderstanding of language, and really some sort of anthropological hoax perpetrated by the Whorfians.
I've often heard the expression "fit of pique", using the primary definition of "A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride" to mean acting out of wounded pride.
Especially since this is an old word. If someone else wants to run the WOTY categories (Uselessness, were you volunteering?), this would go under "Finally caught on" or something along those lines.
When I saw shitmix, this word sprang to mind. It is like argmax, if you know math. When you have a whole bunch of bad things that can happen, it invariably ends up being the shitmax.
A professor had a mug which said "F*%& Cancer". Someone came up to him and said, "That's not a nice word", and he responded, "Yes, but since that's the name of the disease I have, I feel justified in using it". It's a horrible illness, and our ability to stand tall and laugh in the face of death is part of what makes us human.
The winery didn't want to tartrate their wine, but the government insisted, forcing a tartrater on them, meaning they where tartratered. They appealed, and the appeals court detartratered them. The case went to the Supreme Court, who upheld the initial ruling, meaning the winery was retartratered. Finally, the President pardoned the winery, resulting in the unprecedented action of being deretartratered.
It was a funny limerick, but perhaps it was my oedilf days which led me to think the whole time that the stresses ended up on the wrong words. With no offense intended, I'll offer up this slight change.
I can honestly say that I've never used the word orangest, and I can't recall having ever heard or read it. I've heard greenest, bluest, and reddest. I don't think I've heard yellowest or purplest, although they both are recognized as words. This is pretty strange. Perhaps if enough people add it to their words, we can start a movement for the dictionaries to add it. Anyone know a lexicographer?
I'm cool with advertising on the site. For those with AdBlock, the ads were blocked by default, so if people want them or don't want them, they can control it themselves.
Random word took me here, and I'm not sure how to get out. There are no links to any other words or lists. I guess I'm stuck here until somebody let's me out.
I understand what you're saying, there are so many good words and lists that it would be really hard to pick out the top ones, and some awesome stuff from 8 months ago would be left out. I'll have to think about this some more.
Hey John, what's the feasibility of tags on lists, and comments on tag pages? These are very minor feature requests, but if they are easy to do, that would be awesome.
Ouch John, not even the first one to list your own name. I picture you putting Wordie online like opening an amusement park, and Riddley runs past you to get into the line for the best roller coater.
Bandersnatch is ok, because Lewis Carroll just kind of made it up. Testiculate was made up with a different meaning, as a portmanteau, but we probably need a different term for existing words which we make up new meanings for. Flustrated goes back to 1700, so it is officially not Madeupical, and neither is nounal. You can tag both as "real", or "nonmadeupical" if you like.
Of course, I have no authority, but people tend to listen to me because I talk so loudly that they can't hear anybody else.
The earliest site from the OED is "1600 FAIRFAX Tasso XIV. xliv, How comate, crinite, caudate starres are fram'd I knew.", which probably means something to someone.
Because we will form some sort of nominating committee, we don't have to worry about THAT WHICH WILL NOT BE SPOKEN winning. I envisioned us choosing only madeupical words (not really fair for me to use that here), but rare words that no one had chosen would also be useful.
I propose that Wordie do a word of the year. John, can we do a poll somehow? Also, if enough people are interested, we could put the voting on the front page. We could also do things like comment of the year, thread of the year, list of the year, etc. Then, John could get a special gold star to add to the appropriate pages. Possibly silver, bronze, and nomination stars for others.
Suggestions for various categories and input on details on how this will work are appreciated. Eventually, we'd start a "X of the Year: 2007" page and take nominations. Some group of us, possibly the league of extrawordy gentlemen, possibly an independent group, possibly John if he wants to, can sift through the nominations and come up with 5 or so to be put onto the poll, which people can vote for at some point in December.
We should also get John's input to check if this poses any technical challenges on his end.
More importantly, all of the the words that have kj that pronounce both letters are compound words. The j in Reykjavik is different than the normal English j.
It would be ideal to be able to edit a comment, as you can on almost every message board I post to. If people are concerned about people editing messages and screwing up the flow of conversations, I would say have an "Edited" marker that a person could click on for the original post.
For the record, the row on a chess board is named in direct analogy for the line of soldiers. I would imagine the hierarchy term comes from this as well.
At some point, I suggested using a version of Roget's thesaurus, which is in the public domain, to provide more information to words. I don't really like tagging the opposite word as a regular tag, it is very confusing. If we had a separate "synonym" and "antonym" area, we could avoid this issue.
"He (American biologist William A. Arnold) could have gone to Berkeley to pick up radioisotope technique, but would have missed living in Copenhagen, learning from de Hevesy - would have missed contributing a coinage to the gamble that is history.... 'Later that day Frisch looked me up and said, 'You work in a microbiology lab. What do you call the process in which one bacterium divides into two?' And I answered, 'binary fission'. He wanted to know if you could call if 'fission' alone, and I said you could'"
-- From "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes, Frisch referring to Otto Frisch, who with Lise Meitner first postulated nuclear fission.
And you wonder why America had a revolution. This was one of the Intolerable Names, and was the driving force between the Declaration of Pronunciation. See also worcestershire.
A class of mollusks containing scallops, oysters, clams, and mussels. see malacology for an exciting jaunt into the stunningly confusing world of taxonomy.
Oh, of course, "An order of lamellibranchs". This is order includes oysters, and as far as Wikipedia is concerned, doesn't exist. It seems to exist only in dictionaries.
WordNet is a bit different than a normal dictionary. Diamond has a general physical definition, which we all know. The term diamond is typically used to describe a piece of diamond mounted on some sort jewelry. This is the most commonly used, which is why it is the first definition WordNet gives.
That is really strange, I would have assume that plethora and plethron came from the same source, but apparently they were just similar sounding Greek words.
I wouldn't say poor choice of words, I would say cruel. The usage is ironic, which is normally a good thing, but in this case, the words were being used for evil.
I don't think it actually means without child in that sense. The normal sense is unable to conceive children, and in this case, the woman was deliberately barren, that is, deliberately not conceiving.
This could be used for good or for evil. This would be great to describe a particularly stupid pun or an idiotic word like enginerd. However, it could be used by others to describe a lot of the comments that I leave.
I made a very bad joke today, about the makers of Mathematica suing the periodic table, resulting in tungsten. When nobody laughed I said "too obscure?", and they replied, "too unfunny".
The term "Nanook of the North" stands out for me, and it appears to be a 1922 movie, see IMDB . Weird, I wonder why an 85 year old movie pops so quickly to my mind.
A new game, somebody posts on a word, and the first person to answer with the correct comment wins! Anybody can pick a word to select, and anybody can respond with the answer. The trick is, no clues can be left.
There are 10^11 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers. - Richard Feynman
Paladin means imperial guard, but specifically refers to one of Charlemagne's guard, and since he was the Holy Roman Emperor, I can see how the connotation could be applied.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me", but "The pen is mightier than the sword". There is an inherent flaw in aphorisms, that they can prove whatever you want.
In logic, a preposition is either true or false. In fuzzy logic, a proposition can be some percentage true. Is John tall? In normal logic, yes or no. In fuzzy logic, maybe he is .8 tall, probably where 0 is the shortest person, and 1 is the tallest.
"Maybe it's just me, but what I consider to be my dreams aren't what happens when I'm asleep. My true inner dreams come out in the in between minutes when my eyes are shut and I'm still awake. My deepest desires and my darkest fears, everything I've ever done wrong, and everyone I've ever loved. Past glories, forgotten friends, all that I've ever done, and all that I plan to do, in those few minutes. The darkest nightmares that could only occur while awake, because the unconscious mind couldn't imagine such things, tempered by the sweet remembrances of home from long ago, and the sweet touch of lips against mine. Finally, nothing is left except for the inevitable escape into slumber.
When I wake up in the morning, I remember my "dreams", how the great times were only good, and the horrible times weren't that bad. Dreams are the past and the future, but today is the present." -- excerpt from the autobiography of Seanahan
A program which sends a message from one computer to another to verify they are connected. In programming jargon, it has extended to all sorts of things. Such as, we're about to leave for lunch, why don't you ping John at his desk and see if he wants to come.
I seem to remember being told to "vary" our language when writing. We were tought that you shouldn't overly use words like "use", and should use synonyms, like "utilize".
I was quoting a particularly funny Simpsons line containing the word "seaman". This seems like the appropriate place to post it, I like the Simpsons, and I like posting the quotes to words, especially since whenever I hear this word, I think of that quote. I don't like being accused of misogyny when I leave a relevant comment to a word. I also don't understand how anything I've said is "hateful", in bad taste, sure.
In the dawn of time, when Wordie was just a twinkle in John's eye, there was this hurricane, and the residents of New Orleans fled, seeking refuge in nearby cities. Therefore, they were refugees. This seemed all well and good, except they got terribly angry about the word. When Houston was hit by a hurricane some time later, I resolved not to let my friends there seek refuge at my apartment unless they called themselves refugees, but luckily, they didn't have to evacuate.
But "like flies on shit" makes complete sense, since flies are often found there. However, rice is white, nothing is added or changed to make it white. This expression has always bugged me.
Tycho Brahe actually wore a replacement nose partially made out of silver, which is why I call him "Old Goldnose". While his theories were all wrong, his observational skills were impeccable, and his data allowed Kepler to devise the laws of planetary motion.
That was the global "you". In general, this word doesn't mean what people who hadn't seen it before would think it would mean. I guess I should have had a "would" in there.
The newfangled jukeboxes allow you to download songs from a massive library onto the machine for an extra cost, so you aren't limited to a small number of records.
This is another word for Swastika, which is an ancient symbol, particularly in Hinduism. The Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika has a number of alternate names for it.
I definitely phrased it badly. I meant something along the lines of "abandon our biases", and was thinking about adding "using our knowledge of history".
Pretty much everything we come across has happened in history, with the exceptions of things like global warming and thermonuclear war.
John, nothing stops us from finding a girl to buy two jugs, a big burly guy to play her boyfriend, and show up to the same block in New York City with you, where you could play out this scenario. Plus, since the beatings you receive will be fake, you could do it daily.
I know what it means because I read the etymology. I think the average English speaker would have a difficult time parsing this word. Compound words in English pretty much max out at 2 pieces, bookkeeper, firehouse, lukewarm, all pairs. Of course, I have madeupicalized words that have far less reason for existence.
"I guess the grey havens are purely a literary fiction.". Uh, if you start differentiating between "literary fiction" and "religion", we're going to get into a flame war pretty quickly. Why do we study Greek mythology in literature class, and not religion or philosophy? It's a value judgment.
No offense, but people who smoke smell bad. You don't notice, but it's disgusting. There has to be a good word to describe kissing something who is a smoker, something like ashmouthing, but cooler. I don't know whether those thoughts from a non-smoker help at all, I myself can't smoke, it causes me to cough and tear up.
"Nature destined him, he said, to be a scientist, but there were no opportunities for scientists in pre-revolutionary Virginia. Other, more urgent, needs took precedence. He threw himself into the historic events that were transpiring around him. Once independence was won, he said, later generations could devote themselves to science and scholarship"
Luftwaffe is from luft, meaning air, and waffe, meaning force. Luftstreitkräfte is roughly air strike force, from my brief perusal of an English/German dictionary.
As I get older (into my middle twenties), I've come to realize that pretty much any broad political category is not feasible in the real world. On paper, the good points of libertarianism far outweigh the bad, except there are flaws, far less fatal than those attach to democrat or republican, but difficult to resolve none the less.
That being said, and I don't want to get into a political discussion, but the only valid political philosophy is that of free thought, abandoning our preconceptions and approaching each problem with fresh eyes.
Stephen Pinker did a pretty thorough debunking of this is "A Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human nature". For one thing, the murder rate of "savages" is astronomically higher than that of modern society.
I would prefer the absence of such videos. A bit of adult language here and there is one thing, but videos like those that are described are ridiculous. I'm fine with people linking to a site as long as that remark that the link is obscene.
In general, I trust John, and if he thinks it is inappropriate, I wouldn't mind it being removed, although hopefully that will be very rare.
Aluminum is actually correct, since it is from alumina, and this is the way it is used in America. This was the original name. At some point, everyone in England decided that they preferred aluminium, probably because most of the other elements ended in "ium". Isaac Asimov wrote an interesting essay on this exact topic, which I found enjoyable. Asimov was actually a pretty big etymology buff, having written several books about words.
In English, we have pantomime and mime, the latter describing a funny guy with white face paint who pantomimes. Is there a similar Spanish word, i.e., mima?
I get terribly frustrated by how bookstores choose to shelve books. You find pure non-fiction science books adjacent to fantasy novels. Books by Isaac Asimov, probably the author who has the widest distribution of books across categories, almost always end up in Science Fiction/Fantasy. Mysteries, biography, science textbooks, all in the SF&F section.
Because not every person who comes along will get the joke, so I added a link to semaphore as a reference for others. It really isn't that common of a word.
I'm just not doing too good today with others. Pretty soon I'll have the whole league of extrawordy gentlemen banning me from the fireside chats.
I was commenting on your joking about being offended by not understanding his joke, as well as the general difficulty some people have determining if people are actually joking, or have really said something offensive.
Reesetee, if you meant to say a girl was your girlfriend, but instead called her chubby, she would be offended, regardless of whether or not she was overweight or underweight. You see, these creatures called Women tend to be sensitive about such things.
Here's out it works. If I say something that is wrong, it is actually me telling a joke. If I use a word like irregardless or misuse their, it is me parodying non-Wordies. If I say something that offends you, it was intended to offend you, you jerk.
I completely agree, Reesetee. No one is forced to do anything. Hopefully there are others like me, who prefer to add anything in brackets, and agree with the commenting. That way, everyone gets their way and no one person has to do too much.
Actually, when I read I move my neck after each line, so the work is saved on the neck. Furthermore, it is probably bad to have the neck in place for a long time, so moving it periodically could be healthy!
I was making a social reference to the fact that men have concubines and women have affairs. There is a social acceptance for men to behave like this in many cultures, and that is evident in the words they use.
My original thought was something like what the OED does (if you are on a university, you can typically access it for free). You can browse just the definition, or the citations, the pronunciation, date graph, etc. After reading this topic, I think this is a bad idea. If you want to do that, go to a Dictionary. Wordie is about words, how they're used, how they make us feel, the memories they invoke, how they make us cringe or laugh or cry. Adding hypercategorization to this would probably ruin it. However, adding some basic comment tagging would be acceptable to me.
There has actually been mathematical research done on the structure of the Erdos graph. Erdos was certainly the most prolific mathematician of the last century, focusing primarily on combinatorics, but dabbling in just about everything. The number of papers which he was given co-author status is staggering.
It's weird, most Romance and Germanic languages uses a cognate of packet for this. It doesn't appear to be clearly broken down by language families though, this is probably an example of borrowing, especially given the context in which it is used.
I'm not sure how I feel about the joke category. It's not nearly as funny if you have to specify that is a joke. Next thing you know there will be a sarcasm tag. Then there will be an irony tag and I'll have to spend the next year flaming every person who uses it because 90% of the time it is used incorrectly. I think Skipvia's merging idea would work.
You only ever hear about paradigms shifting. What do they think they are, better than us? Those shiftybastards, moving from place to place with no regard to those they leave behind.
Actually, in many languages, double negatives don't resolve to positive. This was true of English for a long time, although not really in modernity. In Spanish, double negatives are used frequently.
"The first use of harebrained dates to 1548. The spelling hairbrained also has a long history, going back to the 1500s when hair was a variant spelling of hare. The hair variant was preserved in Scotland into the 18th century, and as a result it is impossible to tell exactly when people began writing hairbrained in the belief that the word means "having a hair-sized brain" rather than "with no more sense than a hare." While hairbrained continues to be used and confused, it should be avoided in favor of harebrained which has been established as the correct spelling."
It is a combination of two similar insults. A rat refers to some spying or informing for the police, and fink means the same thing. You could combine either of these with stool pigeon, I suppose, but that would sound stupid.
Crackers are a family food - happy families. Maybe single people eat crackers, I don't know. Frankly, I don't want to know. It's a market we can do without!
Shall we take this discussion to features John? I like being able to vote for words or for discussions. Nothing as silly as the comment voting on Slashdot, but that might be a cool thing.
I figured it would be disturbing if I said "stab proof", since I'm pretty sure that "stabby proof" has no semantic meaning, but I should make it clear my feelings were directed at PUMP! kin.
Has anyone seen this site? It is kind of like Wordie, except lists are much harder to use and find, words are harder to comment and find, it is more centered around "Look, we have 4 million words" than the actually users (like Wordie is), and there are no Princess Bride references.
Oh, it has the Urban Dictionary "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" buttons.
Welcome, I'm enjoying expanding my somewhat limited spanish vocabulary and I enjoy seeing what cool words there are in other languages, and as it is the only foreign language I can speak, you're making that easy!
I always try to pronounce this word "yur-in-iss", or "yur-uh-iss", distinctly making sure to avoid the "your-anus" pronunciation which is definitely incorrect.
I would prefer to try and leave at least one comment for every word. If someone links a word and doesn't add it, I will add it and leave some comment. I guess people don't have to add the words if they link to them, I just prefer the case.
Interesting, this is a cognate of cherub, and is the plural. The plural of cherub is the Hebrew form cherubim (see also seraphim), and the Spanish plural is similar to this, different than the normal Spanish.
Some of us lucked onto Wordie rather early along. We should have a word for those too, not to say we're better, but just that we can't believe how long we've been spending our time here.
The rule is this: If you link to a word, you should add it. Otherwise, when people try to follow your link, there is no word there, and they won't be able to click on the various dictionary links to see if it is real or madeupical. With a word there and a tag or two, it makes the user experience much nicer.
Plus, you can't "steal" a word if nobody owns it. That's like finding a $5 bill on the ground and leaving it, and then me deciding to pick it up.
"Our current theory" implies that there was at some point a previous version, or that in the future there will be a different version. I realize you were making a joke, but I feel the need to point this out, since something like 47% of Americans believe the earth is less than 10,000 years old.
All measures of ancestry are of the form c / 2^n. Therefore, ancestries of 1/12 are impossible. If you go back enough generations, you can asymptotically approach 1/12, but eventually you'll reach apes, and at some point you have to stop.
To add to the transporters discussion, I never recall anyone teleporting around Earth, only back and forth from orbiting ships. Given shuttles with autopilots, traveling would be fast and stress free without resorting to transporters.
Wait, how is Vonnegut "conventional"? Slaughterhouse Five maybe a commonly read book, but it is completely different than anything I've ever read. Cat's Cradle is even stranger, and probably the funniest book I've ever read.
I anticipate it being something like Isaac Asimov's Union Club mysteries. That, or each of us curled up in a big chair with a glass of brandy and one volume of a dictionary.
Hey, I cited the original source. I did not break the commandment. I clicked on the word, and you hadn't added it, like you were supposed to. I had to add it so that it was in the database. So there.
According to Wikipedia, fall came about later, probably due to "fall of the leaves". Vernal is Latin, and I'm not sure at what point "spring" took over.
I did just leave a comment on ferengi. Also, I was complaining today at lunch that Data made a terrible move against Riker at a poker game from a game theoretic standpoint.
My name is a portmanteau, which is acceptable for nicknames, but I dislike the combining of two peoples names, especially since this term was used in meaningless news stories when there had to be better things to report.
I feel very strongly about this. It is our lot in life to do a little better than those before us. To give our children a little more than our parent gave us. To add a little bit to science and culture, making the whole of humanity a little bit greater for our presence.
Speaking of calling people with strange questions, I got an unexpected call late one night asking me if I knew anything about the vowels in English changing over time and I launched into a 10 minute explanation of the Great English Vowel Shift.
I suggest we use this as a tag for any words where we have a t-shirt suggestion. There are quite a few that need to be tagged from the merch page. This will allow us to use this list to transfer the suggestions to Cafe Press.
Hmm, I guess I should have been more careful about my use of "invented". I invented the word itself, not the device. I'm not sure it is physically possible to combine the roomba with a slinky and have it functionally travel down stairs.
This perfectly describes my weekend. I went around on my normal midget beating rounds, and I could find any. Finally, I found someone who was a bit taller than a normal dwarf, and might have just been a short normal person. I debated for a while, but the fact he was carrying a purse settled matters for me. So, I'm standing there, beating the crap out of this guy, and the cops come up. I start to freak out, but keep my cool. I back up from the guy, and the police pick him up and handcuff him. A woman comes over and hugs me, saying, "You caught the guy who stole my purse". Needless to say, this was a prime example of the malicious afterthought with which I lead my life. The hug was the sum total of my reward. I can't help but thinking if the man had been 6 inches taller, she might have rewarded me, but then again, I wouldn't have stopped to beat him.
One feature that is nice is "posts since my last visit", sorted by word. Perhaps other standard methods of searching, such as, "Words commented in the last day", etc., would be easier to do in short run, since that wouldn't be user dependent.
Of course. comet actually comes from the Greek for long-haired star, so they were considered more like stars than planets, although it makes much more sense to think of them as planets, since they orbit the sun.
Comments by seanahan
Show previous 200 comments...
seanahan commented on the word poop
You read Wordie in courtrooms?
March 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word jenny
Reminds me of the classic poem:
Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in,
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in.
Say I’m weary, say I’m sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I’m growing old, but add
Jenny kissed me.
March 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word verbify
See also verbed and anthimeria.
March 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word krakenstein
Is this supposed to be some sort of Frankenstein joke?
March 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word beelzebub
Very interesting etmyology on this one. From Hebrew "ba‘al zəbûb", meaning "lord of the flies", a Philistine deity. Puts a whole new spin on that book. Answers has some more information on the etymology, including the possibility the Zebub was actually a place, and not a thing.
March 16, 2008
seanahan commented on the word angst
First thing I could come up with was taking a document and converting it into the language of the Isle of Man, "Manxed".
March 16, 2008
seanahan commented on the word bacontarian
I don't see what's so strange about that. Bacon is a truly amazing food.
March 16, 2008
seanahan commented on the word anthropomorphize
That's what I call, Dropping the APM bomb
March 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word philosopher's stone
"Reaching out to Joe Sikspak"? This should be "Six-pack", "Sixpack", or "Six Pack", right? Unless there's some joke here I'm unaware of.
March 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word metamorphosis
Somehow I just don't find it that funny. I think the Onion would have done a better job.
March 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word problematize
Wow, just wow. I think I passed out twice trying to read that.
March 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word assignation
Chris Matthews, on the recent Elliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, "How do these checks get written? I mean, we're talking about $5,000 for an assignation here".
Hilarious.
March 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word kung pao
Truly this is the greatest of all Chinese food.
March 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word conglobulation
That is really bizarre.
March 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ataraxy
See ataraxia.
March 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word tunnel vision
"I want my tunnel vision
I need my medication
I want your arms around me
Wop bop dip bop doo doo doo doo"
-- "Little Fingers", Apocalypse Hoboken
March 11, 2008
seanahan commented on the list the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it
It's this list, and I feel fine.
March 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word esprit de corps
Do others often hear this with the first syllable taken off? Perhaps I just miss it since the stress is on the second syllable.
March 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word atrabilarian
From Webster's, "A person much given to melancholy; a hypochondriac. --I. Disraeli."
March 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word maccam
But then it isn't a palindrome!
March 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cholagogue
Apparently this means "promoting the flow of bile", a very odd thing.
March 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word dentophobia
Next thing you know you'll be saying they should have their own schools.
March 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word monotreme
Note that one needs to be careful with the use of primitive in this context. WordNet is not.
March 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word exuviatory
From expiation
March 7, 2008
seanahan commented on the list sarahh-s-list
This has to be nominated for list of the year in some category...
March 7, 2008
seanahan commented on the word frisco
But they still say Philly Cheesesteak?
March 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word couscous
There's a commercial from a couple years ago where they say "Don't be such a couch couscous", and it has stuck in my head. Disgusting stuff, I have to say.
March 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word hizzoner
In Chicago, many refer to Richard J. Daley as hizzoner, and the title appears to be used in several other places.
March 5, 2008
seanahan commented on the word verb
Verb is a noun, and noun is a noun. I enjoy words which describe themselves, and the opposite, words which don't describe themselves. Monosyllabic and polysyllabic have to be the champion examples for this phenomenon.
March 5, 2008
seanahan commented on the word your gramma's roof
Obama's excused!
March 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word davy
But what does it mean?
March 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word verb
That's a fabulous language quote.
March 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word let's blow this popsicle stand!
It's an old person phrase.
March 3, 2008
seanahan commented on the word footnote
Agreed, Good Omens is a fabulous read.
March 3, 2008
seanahan commented on the word and the horse you rode in on...
I've always wanted to use mix up phrases like this to confuse people.
"Get out of here, and don't let the horse you rode in on hit you on the way out."
March 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ashes to ashes dust to dust
When I hear this, I always think "ash to ash, dust to dust, fade to black".
March 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word beefism
There are a number of levels. Cow, obviously, is the first. Pig is at the second, with goat, lamb, and other higher mammals. Chicken, and other birds are generally at level 3. Fish occupy the fourth, and other weird aquatic animals are at the fifth level. So even the lowliest oyster is only 5 steps away from heaven.
March 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word beefism
Beefism is this religion I invented. The main idea is that animals, specifically cows, were created by God and given souls, and the end goal is for them to eat heaven. However, to ascend, they must be consumed by the angels of God, man. This means that you should eat as much meat as possible. Lesser animals, like pigs, are reincarnated up into cows, if they are consumed by humans.
Dogs are considered lesser angels, and they help man in his quest to consume meat. Cats are generally considered tools of Satan, as is Tofu. There are a number of schisms within Beefism, specifically as to whether or not the eating of horses is acceptable. Church doctrine says that horses are similar to dogs in that they aid man, but a growing group seems to think they qualify as meat animals. There is also an evil sect which believes that humans too have souls, and if they are eaten, they can ascend to heaven, but this heresy is stamped out wherever it is found.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word half-witty
An expression which is partially witty, or the kind of thing a half-wit would find witty, or some hybrid of the two.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word when hell freezes over
There are a number of half-witty jokes about for when you actually end up cleaning the darn dog that involve Satan's cold testicles.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word vampire power
Also a little known but growing movement among western vampires to gain equal rights with humans.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word analects
Often used to describe the collected writings of Confucius.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word analecta
The only variant I can recall seeing of this is in the analects of Confucius.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wewe
Listen to this mp3.
The Urban dictionary is the only one which defines this.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word neoteric
I just noticed that the edit distance between this word and neotenic is absurdly small.
March 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sciatic
Apparently it refers to the hip, or a region near the hip, although this doesn't fit with the citation below.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word thole-pin
This term is still somewhat in use, at least among Boy Scouts, specifically the rowing merit badge.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word disclude
The word I used when I couldn't remember exclude existed.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word disregulated
I said disclude once, when I meant exclude.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word verbificent
I can't believe it took 14 hours for someone to add the madeupical tag.
Although, Skipvia did make up a word in his response, the fourth to last, S-something or other, never heard of it before, I'll be glad if I never hear of it again, it sounds silly.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cyclopedic lexicon of sex
You should write a review on Amazon.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word how green were the nazis
I heard a radio interview where a woman talked about the Nazis being environmentalists, which is logical, but the woman kept using the word ironic, so I had to blog about it.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word smite
If you smite someone, they have been smitten?
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word neoteric
"Of recent origin, modern".
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word topology
Most commonly heard (by me) as a type of mathematics.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word topologist
Someone who studies topology.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground
A topologist is someone who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, but can tell the difference between his ass and two holes in the ground.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ingress
The WordNet definition is confusing. Doesn't the celestial object disappear when the eclipse starts?
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word vagina dentata
I first heard this word in Snow Crash, possibly the perfect SF novel. It is a device which sits in the woman's vagina, essentially a sharp needle filled with a chemical to knock out a would be rapist.
February 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word round-headed intellectual
See pointy-headed intellectuals.
February 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pointy-headed intellectuals
I like to think of myself as a round-headed intellectual.
February 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sat word
And by "most people" you mean "most people who aren't on Wordie"?
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word tragediously
Apparently an archaic form of tragically.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word greedlet
At work, whoever takes the last piece of cake after someone's birthday has to clean up, so people take progressively smaller pieces until there is too little left to be called a piece.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the pie and the pendulum
I think you mean Dr. Phil.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word vignette
Interesting this evolved into the more common present day meeting.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word tincture
Everything has chains, absolutely nothings changed.
Take my hand, not my picture, spilled my tincture.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word skewes number
See this article by Isaac Asimov for more information.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word googolplex
Actually, mathematically speaking, you can view this number as tiny. Now Skewes number, that's freaking huge.
February 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word adventitious
Totally madeupical.
February 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the word i'm allergic to cats
I actually am legitimately allergic to cats. I also fear and dislike them.
February 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the word heuristics
Well, it comes up in the context of algorithms all the time, so I don't really have strong feelings about it either way.
February 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the user thesuperiorbeing
VanishedOne, there may not be a prohibition against linking to ghost words, but as a matter of personal preference I prefer to have something on each word. If you want to link to words that aren't in the database, that is just fine.
February 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word lilaceously
That is a beautiful word. It sounds close to vivacious, which possibly tinges my perception.
February 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word book of gold
I guess that's why I'm not a librarian, although I've often considered dropping math, science, and computers for librarianism. I can't think of that first book that made me love to read. I've been reading extensively since I was maybe 8 years old, and while there are books I read back then that I still enjoy to reread, I can't think of a Book of Gold.
February 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word causa pro metrica
That makes sense, "causa pro metrica" could mean, "left out because of meter", meaning the poet left out specific information so that the poem would scan correctly.
February 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word broca's field
I believe this is the same as Broca's area
February 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ignosticism
Coined, I believe, by Rabbi Sherwin Wine , the founder of humanistic Judaism.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pitchers and catchers report
Well, I draw analogies or quote from Shakespeare all the time, and this must be terribly frustrating to a lot of people. Culture is a strange thing. The easiest way to explain or learn something is by analogy, and when everybody understands something really well, the analogies are easy. Now, I know that many people are not fans of baseball, unless you were raised on the game, it is not something you can jump into it.
I'll occasionally watch British tv shows, and they make references to football (soccer), cricket, British politics, general British specific culture, and I'll have no idea what they are talking about. The show "How I Met Your Mother" has a running bit where the Canadian character makes references that the Americans don't get, and it's so funny because she really sells the audience that we're supposed to be getting this joke.
Any time you have people of different backgrounds, different ages, genders, or races, even different neighborhoods, different schools, and in my line of business, born on different continents, you are going to have such problems. I have not read Bryan Garner, but reading his Wikipedia entry I imagine that I'll have to. Still, I see no way that we can revert to a language without cultural influences, and it would be a travesty of epic proportions to do so.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word vulturine
Good word.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word violence
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. -Salvor Hardin in Isaac Asimov's Foundation.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word eleventy one
It's been a while, but doesn't Bilbo celebrate his eleventy first birthday at the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring?
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word tenty one
Now I have to check to make sure there is an entry for eleventy one.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word drake equation
See XKCD's recent treatment .
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word belgium
Looking at etymonline , "Used for 'Low Germany and the Netherlands'", which describes a number of different countries. The WordNet definition makes sense this time.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word apple-john
Also the bizarro version of John who develops Wordie on an iMac.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pitchers and catchers report
With pitchers and catchers reporting last Thursday, I thought about this again, and have come up with a suitably Wordie analogy for baseball.
Every pitch is a word, every inning a sentence, every game a page. Every season forms an epic novel. A fabulous pitch is like a particularly well chosen word. A wonderful inning, late game rally, it is a beautiful sentence, "It was awful living in that hell full of angels". Pitchers and Catchers report marks the beginning of the prologue. When your team doesn't make the playoffs, it's like the ending of a novel abruptly, frustratingly. A World Series victory is like the beautiful end to a classic novel, "it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known", or "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past".
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word truš�?
Apparently, it is Slovenian for the sound of a crash.
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word whipple
Also a medical procedure, See wikipedia
February 20, 2008
seanahan commented on the word turtle
And believe me, it's turtles all the way down.
February 19, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ukulele
Did anyone else notice that he pronounced the middle syllable in libido as "bye", as in, "li-bye-doh".
February 19, 2008
seanahan commented on the word la-la land
Also Los Angeles.
February 19, 2008
seanahan commented on the word truš�?
How does one pronounce the funny letters?
February 19, 2008
seanahan commented on the word malakomisia
An interesting idea, but slightly disturbing. The idea that we really have enough use for the term that we need a new one is frustrating. I think your word is a bit too out there to catch on.
February 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wordiepiphany
I've had quite a few, it's hard to pinpoint the first time I was really interested by words, but I can call a few smaller ones. I read in an essay by Isaac Asimov the etymology of the word delapidate, and was completely fascinated by how the word means something different yet somehow the same.
February 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ace and gary
Starring none other than Stephen Colbert.
February 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word longest word ever
There's a reasonable chance that John put a 2^7 character limit on Wordie entries. I probably would have made a similar assumption if I were designing this.
February 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word coriaceous
What I like to do with words like this is spend a minute or two enumerating the different conceivable pronunciations, and then guessing which one is correct. I got this one right.
February 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word coruscatively
See coruscate.
February 18, 2008
seanahan commented on the word valentinous
Definition?
February 15, 2008
seanahan commented on the word whist
I first learned about Whist from Jules Verne.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word features
Skipvia, beware of lost comments.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word isn’t an agnostic just an atheist without balls
This is actually a very Wordie topic, since both of those terms have drastically different meanings, both by believers and non-believers.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word adamantine
The root word of Wolverines adamantium.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word bicephalous
Zaphod Beeblebrox.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word bicephalously
From bicephalous, meaning having two heads.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word histrionically
"I'm going to fall off Jim's willow!", Tom screamed histrionically.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word peanut butter cookies
I've never understood why someone would destroy a perfectly good cookie experience by leaving off the Hershey's Kiss.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word soda fountain
Also refers to the soft drink dispenser at fast food restaurants.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wantnought
wastenought wantnought?
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wastenought
wastenought wantnought?
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word memories of my mel, and holy whores
Recently banned in Iran, once they discovered what the title translated to.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word clue
It was a great movie.
February 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word hot wheels
Interesting, I never realized there was a difference between Matchbox and Hot Wheels, I always that they were referring to the same thing.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word noughts and crosses
I never realized tic-tac-toe had another name.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cóiste-bodhar
Fabulous movie, I remember it fondly when I saw it as a child. Features a very young Sean Connery.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the list a-manner-of-speaking-2
Don't worry about "borrowing" lists or list ideas. Wordie is what you want to make it. Don't pay attention to that crazy guy who came up with ten commandments.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word remote viewing
If by interesting, you mean crap, and by dabbled, you mean wasted taxpayer's money, then yes.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word lady of the lake
A great episode of UCB .
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wordolesence
The upbringing of a Wordie.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word perpendicular
Sounds like a great Wordie upbringing, or wordolesence.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ghost in the machine
It's also used to describe emergent intelligence in computer programs.
February 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word afrit
Or efreet.
February 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word al
Can you replace "Best" with "Only"?
February 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word vincent
Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen; they're not listening still,
Perhaps they never will...
February 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word clementine
Also my favorite Decemberists song. Also an Elliot Smith song, covered by the Decemberists.
February 12, 2008
seanahan commented on the word oriflamme
I always think of orcs when I see the word oriflamme.
February 7, 2008
seanahan commented on the list u-s-and-them
Hear Linus Torvalds pronounce Linux here , and in Swedish, for completeness.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word kalpa
Eastern thought certainly is a lot different than Western.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wrath
I make the same association.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the incredible lightness of boing!
Double so. Filistinism? I think you are referring to philistinism.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word oriflamme
I always think of orcs.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word blair
WordNet has a fairly random set of persons. See the definitions court.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word brave new word
Oh Brave New Word, that has such letters in it.
See madeupical.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sober tomorrow
Winston Churchill was probably the Wordie-est of 20th century politicians. Before that, it was probably Disraeli.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word winx
We all missed your winxsome smile Chained_bear.
February 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word laid
That's a great song.
February 5, 2008
seanahan commented on the word kegs
Wow, combining two of my joys, words and stripping.
February 5, 2008
seanahan commented on the word safety pin
That is the new craziest thing I have ever heard.
February 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ultrarevolutionaries
Five by Five, mollusque.
February 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word compile dance
When I've finally succeeded in fixing that last tricky compiler error and am able to run my code, I shout, "Compile dance", and spin my chair around, and wave my arms.
February 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word end of recession dance
When a recession ends, you jump up and do a little jig, reaching into your wallet and throwing $20 bills up in the air with joy. I did this yesterday when reading the Fed had lowered the interest rate another half point and someone told me this meant the recession was over.
February 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word deleterious
I almost always here this in terms of mutations.
February 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word bender is the night
That's excellent, a quality reference, double pun, just fabulous.
February 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word palavery
Surely from palaver.
February 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word job in the morning
It would help if I had heard of Joy in the Morning.
February 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word painstaking
At first glance, "pain-stalking", but that probably isn't right.
February 1, 2008
seanahan commented on the word painstaking
I always pronounce and hear it pronounced "pain-staking", but almost certainly it is "pains-taking", right?
January 31, 2008
seanahan commented on the word vain-glory
Most often heard in the adjective form, vain-glorious.
January 31, 2008
seanahan commented on the word job in the morning
Huh?
January 31, 2008
seanahan commented on the word candy corn
Lewis Black really hates it.
January 31, 2008
seanahan commented on the user super-julia
Honestly? I could go either way. Belief is a tough thing.
January 31, 2008
seanahan commented on the word argh
Well John, I flew halfway across the country, had dinner and drinks with family, went to bed, got up and went to an all day party with college friends, drinking and eating, passed out late that night, got up the next morning and visited with family, got back on a plane and flew home. I could have checked Wordie that night, but I was too tired, so come Monday evening, I was something like 1000 posts behind.
January 29, 2008
seanahan commented on the word shah
Groan.
January 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the word quotative like
I enjoy how linguists come up with complicated terms for simple things.
January 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the least of the mohicans
That's clever.
January 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the word troll doll
They still existed in the early 90s, although they won't particularly popular.
January 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the word argh
I've been down almost 1,000 after a weekend without internet.
January 28, 2008
seanahan commented on the list fauxlyrical
My oh my what a wonderful list
January 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word fissilingual
A reference to our old friend Jack Abramoff.
January 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sealing wax
Hmm, so we weren't singing about Puff and ceiling wax?
January 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sticky bun
*sigh*, heavenly
January 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pompitous
So that's what he was saying. I bet if you asked 10 people on the street, 9 of them would have heard the song, and none of them would know this word.
January 26, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pixy stix
Kids in junior high used to snort this powder.
January 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the word geis
See also geas.
January 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ambidextrous
Credit belongs to Yogi Berra, I believe.
January 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the word regale
One could also see the entry for OEDILF.
January 25, 2008
seanahan commented on the word regale
He posts on several forums I am/was a member of, if that is the Chris Doyle being referred to.
Chris at the OEDILF
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word exeunt
Let's just stick to exit, shall we?
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word homoiconicity
Hmm, perhaps you should check Wordie more often?
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word palindrome
Best palindrome ever.
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word copremesis
Reminds me of the South Park where they eat in their buts and poop out their mouths.
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cornish hen
Often called Cornish game hen.
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word dime
This has gotten weird.
Someone is smoking something.
Perhaps a dime bag.
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word powder-puff
To clarify, I left out a word.
I think the term initially comes from powder-puff FOOTBALL.
I guess my brain equated powder-puff so much with football that it seemed reasonable to leave off the last word. Strange.
January 24, 2008
seanahan commented on the word dime
I stole some ice cream
Then uselessness dropped the dime
Now I am in jail
January 23, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ceilidh
Random House has "key-lee", but the rest have "kay-lee". Bartleby has an audio sample attached, and there is a more noticeable pause in between the two syllables than in daily.
January 23, 2008
seanahan commented on the word powder-puff
I think the term initially comes from powder-puff.
January 23, 2008
seanahan commented on the word magic square
I had to grab my combinatorics text off my bookshelf to refresh my memory. Euler proved that an order 6 Latin square does not exist, and conjectured that it was also true for all odd multiples of 2. It turned out he was wrong about everything except 6.
January 23, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ecumenical
From David Eddings, referring to a character named Silk,
"Silk's depredations were broadly ecumenical".
January 23, 2008
seanahan commented on the list quiz-time-5
16. Orchard Place Airport/Douglas Field, and later Orchard Field. I got the clue right away, but had to look up the exact earlier name.
January 23, 2008
seanahan commented on the word stimthought
Also known as an "idea".
January 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word magic square
There's actually some cool combinatorics one can do with these magic squares.
January 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word twat
An amusing historical note from Wikipedia
January 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word messenger
Actually, that one makes sense. Message and passage, while both from French, came into Middle English, and once anglicized, they took on the English suffix. Massage came from French at a much later date, and has not been fully assimilated (thanks Bill!) into the English language, so it doesn't take on an English suffix.
From etymonline, "c.1225, messager, from O.Fr. messagier, from message (see message). With parasitic -n- inserted by c.1300 for no apparent reason except that people liked to say it that way (cf. passenger, harbinger, scavenger)."
Apparently, the n is excrescent.
January 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the list here-there-be-dragons
There's a great cartoon called Flight of Dragons , with John Ritter one of the voice actors. Highly recommended. *Cough* available at you tube.
January 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ancient of days
I had a list of eight million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine names for God, but I gave up at that point.
January 22, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the blank slate (steven pinker)
I actually enjoyed the polemic parts of it. Pinker and I have very similar philosophies of life, politics, science, religion, etc., so I felt he was preaching to the choir. It's always nice when famous intellectuals agree with you.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word courtesy
Least likely post ever.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the story of english (robert mccrum)
I'd rate it a little higher, perhaps 3 stars. It was a bit dry and not really re-readable, but it packs a lot of information and isn't boring.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word le ton beau de marot (douglas r. hofstadter)
This has been on my must read list for about a year, I'll have to bump it up to the top.
I think that GEB is not particularly accessible unless you already understand Godel's incompleteness thereom. A good knowledge of Bach also helps.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the stuff of thought (steven pinker)
Anybody who enjoys language should read this book.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the language instinct : how the mind creates language (steven pinker)
What's the total number of stars? It doesn't matter, I rate this book as infinite stars.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word heuristic
It's important to note that "experience" doesn't necessarily imply human experience. A computer can examine sample problems to come up with heuristics, it is a standard technique in artificial intelligence.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word witch-hare
Whsst!? Is that like Psst?
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word powerblog
But what does it mean?
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word love spoon
Hmm, is there a love spork?
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ppl
Also population.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word app
Also application.
Edit: As in killer app.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word black hole
Those are the best kind of jokes, the one where a simple physical truth is expressed in a profound manner.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word gyp
I've been told not to use gyp, because it is racially offensive to the Gypsy people, better known as Romani.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word muleteer
The original novel by Dumas was The Three Muleteers, but a clever editor decided to change it.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word oikoumene
Also oecumene, see middle earth.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word accubitus
Is this kind of like spooning?
Notice the root is the same as for succubus and incubus, with the prefix a meaning not.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the list xx-age
Oh my God, it's a mirage, I'm telling y'all it's sabotage?
Also camouflage.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word middle earth
oikoumene?
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word drownded
I enjoy the excellent way you expounded on that theme.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the list wordage
It seemed to work to make me cooler (relatively, of course) when I was 14, but I think that these days it wouldn't work. For words where the "age" suffix wouldn't work, we used "action". So instead of bondage, you'd have bond-action, or for barrage, barrage-action.
January 21, 2008
seanahan commented on the word worry
I'm going to have to print that out for my cubicle.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the word deceptively
That is a hilarious article.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the word exenterate
To disembowel.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the word photic sneeze reflex
Nice use of exenterate.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the word uncircumcised
I noticed some secret hints John dropped about a pregnancy, but I didn't think it was polite to say anything.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the list wordage
When I was around 14 my friends and I used to use -age as a suffix for just about everything, to denote coolness.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pumpernickel
It's not. It was made up at a bar by a radio guy who later reported it as the true etymology. After being confronted and asked for proof, he confessed.
January 17, 2008
seanahan commented on the word mike hunt
This one's a classic. I would have listed it, but was beaten by a couple hours.
January 16, 2008
seanahan commented on the word longbow
How does one conceal a longbow?
January 16, 2008
seanahan commented on the word mediæval
I thought I was, or knew, all the different types of nerds, but typography is a new one. It's good to have you aboard.
January 16, 2008
seanahan commented on the word enchatress
That's quite clever.
January 15, 2008
seanahan commented on the word the great death game
That is really quite odd.
January 15, 2008
seanahan commented on the word senescence
Third Wordie reference to this New York Times Magazine article today.
"If she were 10 or 15 years younger — Lynne is 39 — she might be Carrie Underwood or Kellie Pickler, blowing away the “American Idol�? panel with her earthy, passionate voice and booking a ride to the top of the charts. While 39 doesn’t necessarily mean senescence in pop music the way it once might have — Bruce Springsteen picked up his most recent No. 1 album at age 58; that’s eight years older than Frank Sinatra was when he recorded “Strangers in the Night�? — it is a little long in the tooth to be looking for your first big hit."
The author might deserve some kind of vocabulary award.
January 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word doyenne
From the article John recently linked on Errata, New York Times Magazine
"That particular week in early November was a good one for country pop; landing ahead of Krauss on the charts, at No. 1, was Carrie Underwood, the “American Idol�? ingénue whose second album, “Carnival Ride,�? sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week. And Reba McEntire, the country doyenne, also reached No. 1 a few weeks before that with an album of duets."
January 14, 2008
seanahan commented on the word bugs
I imagine John, that at some point you call toLowerCase or the Ruby equivalent on the string before putting it into the database. Since Ž is not a-zA-Z, the method would not doing anything to it. I doubt any programming language is smart enough to recognize the bizarre Unicode characters that have upper and lower case associated with them.
Edit: I'd actually meant to use square brackets as in regex syntax for a-zA-Z. Obviously that didn't work, but I think it turned out well anyway.
January 13, 2008
seanahan commented on the word inhabitable
Are you sure that habitable and inhabitable mean the same thing? I always assumed that they were opposite.
January 11, 2008
seanahan commented on the word gumbo
Pure etymological ecstasy. How many English words come from Bantu?
January 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word dabiba
Arabic meaning "to abound in lizards".
January 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word tabaadawa
Arabic verb meaning "to pose as a Bedouin".
January 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the word okra
That's a great article from the New York Times, which for me is saying a lot, since I have very little respect for that paper.
January 10, 2008
seanahan commented on the list knots
I don't see mooring hitch, also known as fireman's hitch or highwayman's hitch, according to wikipedia.
January 9, 2008
seanahan commented on the word imho
That's why "humble" is preferred.
January 9, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loblolly
There are 2,380 hits for "loblolly gruel", so I think it is valid.
January 9, 2008
seanahan commented on the word melee
This is one of those words that I don't know the preferred pronunciation so I will alternate between the two most common, unknowingly.
January 9, 2008
seanahan commented on the word btwers
How would one pronounce this?
January 9, 2008
seanahan commented on the word rocococococopy
Ornate clone of designer Chanel?
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word banananananamed
Fruit that grandma dubbed?
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word crisisisisisin
Emergency situation that an Egyptian goddess experiences?
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word gpl
The GNU Public License.
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word copyleft
Often used to describe the GPL, the GNU Public License.
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word commonism
I wonder if this usage of copyleft predates the GPL?
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wordie
That's what her name is.
Lingo is a very frustrating show, since the players always guess really stupid words. One should examine the letter pattern of the English language and guess words that have the most likely letters.
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word rococo cocoa
This brings to mind my favorite Crossword Puzzle ever, from the New York Times.
Clues:
Difficulties currently had by Osiris's Wife
Fruit given title by Grandma
Artistic style aped by designer Chanel
Answers:
crisisisisisin
banananananamed
rocococococopy
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word brobdingnagian
Also part of the name of a great band, The Brobdingnagian Bards .
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sn a j
I'm afraid I don't get this one.
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word referent
That seems about right. Is there a difference between what you are saying and the WordNet definition above?
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word différance
I got as far as "Différance is a French neologism coined by Jacques Derrida and homophonous with the word différence." and decided to stop.
January 8, 2008
seanahan commented on the word metaphotography
I don't think it is spam, it's just a bit confusing. We all know what meta means, and we all know what photography means, but what exactly they mean when put together is not clear. For example, metaphysics is almost completely different from physics. One is about the universe, and the other is about the mind.
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word impacted
The issue at hand is that the noun impact, as in "Have an impact" is being used as a verb, with impacted as the past tense. This is getting confused with impacted, the adjective, as in impacted bowel.
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word différance
What does it mean?
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cohort
So to decimate a legion would be to remove a cohort?
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word novelty
The google search should be self explanatory
. Basically it is a blanket term for ice cream bars, frozen candy bars, ice cream sandwiches, and all other variety of typically frozen prepackaged desserts.January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word pestilence
The WordNet definition lists 3 senses, the above, "any epidemic disease with a high death rate", and "a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of". The second is what you are referring to. The third is the metaphorical sense.
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word novelty
See my rant about how I hate the term "Ice cream novelties".
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word wordie
"Forget sexy, he's bringing back Wordie", the blonde girl on lingo talk about Chuck Woolery.
January 6, 2008
seanahan commented on the word visualizar
The internet is ridiculous.
January 5, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cute as a button
Folk etymologies anyone?
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word schpring-schprong biscuits
I just spent the last two minutes saying schpring-schprong in a variety of accents.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word cute as the dickens
I prefer cute as a button, which doesn't really mean anything more, but sounds nicer to me.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word thin mint
The one benefit of having sisters in Girl Scouts. I actually prefer samoas.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word aracataca
Most recognizable to me as the inspiration for Macondo.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word nuß-ecken
I wish English could drop an entire letter from the alphabet. I nominate y and c.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word neotony
There are a lot of evolutionary tales about neotony, including the "Juvenile Ape" hypothesis for human evolution.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word axlotl
This is the primary case of neotony.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word lot'll
Add to that the comedy of the Father of SonOfGroucho and a Wordie is born.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word auld
I'm typically the defender of WordNet, but that's just absurd.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word headdesk
See facepalm.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word porte cochere
A covered entryway for people getting out of vehicles.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loden
A fabric used in coats, the color of a deep olive-green.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word robot
I recently saw this play, and it was quite excellent. The issues raised about industrialization, outsourcing, international politics, and sentience of machines are becoming more important today than they were when it was written. I also detected quite a few subtle jabs at Communism.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word virulent
That's an excellent metaphoric use of virulent.
January 4, 2008
seanahan commented on the word neologist
This is a great word, why isn't it more favorited?
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 most likely to be found staring at the grass off in left field
Good idea, tagged appropriately.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the list words-from-table-talk-s-five-words-contest
The one starting with "Given the atrocities" is a beautiful use of language.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 best knee-slapper
The Characters for a Jewish Star Wars list is quite funny, but also a bit too short for list of the year status. Sionnach's list is amusing, but not quite up to knee-slapper. The winner then, is Reesetee's Name Suggestions for Event Bigger SUVs and Trucks , a truly hilarious list.
The "Ultra-Compact" list is also funny, and can be considered "an extension of Reesetee's award winning list".
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 most innovative
It is clear that the most innovative list has and will continue to inspire imitators. That list is the Journey of a 300-Year-Old House . Congratulations to Chained Bear, who I hope will continue to push the envelope with what we do here at Wordie.
When you see something innovative, please use the tag "innovative".
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 best meta list
After much deliberation, and philosophizing on the true meaning of "Best Meta List", I have hereby decided that the Best Meta List for 2007 was the excellent The Several Stages of Wordie Addiction . Congratulations to Reesetee, who successfully described exactly how the rest of us act.
The tag "meta" has already been in use and hopefully will be continued into the next year.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 best aesthetic bang for your buck
Please tag words that are aesthetically pleasing with the "aesthetic" tag for future judging.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 best aesthetic bang for your buck
Georgielily does indeed have some wonderful lists, but the most aesthetically pleasing has to be Trivet's, Smock, Smock, Smock list. Congratulations for this list of the year.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 most likely to be found staring at the grass off in left field
After thorough examination of all of the wonderful lists, I found myself completely ball snookered as to what to pick. However, each of the other nominees had some kernel of sense, some thread to hold it all together, but the winner was so completely random that I found myself in the grass in left field, and had to trek back to my apartment to finish judging this category.
The winner is the Festival of Randomness . Congratulations to Uselessness.
For next year, everyone should tag lists with "left field" for everyone to keep track of them.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 best all around
Since we didn't have specific nominees for this list, I'm going to close this category for 2007.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word loty07 most educational
And since it is the only nominee, congratulations to It has a name?? , the most educational list of 2007.
As 2008 progresses, everyone should tag lists they feel are educational with that tag, and then we can look at the end of the year for favorites.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word hummer
Also, ..., well, never mind.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word ephemeromorph
Is this used to describe a virus?
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word drool
Almost all of the linked dictionaries offer the drivel definition for drool. WordNet lists both definitions, although it strangely has the nonsense definition as the primary synset.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word sacerdotal
Most useful definition ever. One only hopes that sacerdotalism will help.
January 2, 2008
seanahan commented on the word lacustrine
Funny, I've pretty much only seen this wonderful word in translations.
December 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word defenestration
The list of the most popular words is Wordie Top 100 words .
December 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hobocore
What are you referring to?
December 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word intriguingly
You'll have to explain this one.
December 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lorry
More commonly today used in British English to describe trucks larger than a pickup.
December 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word trattoria
I had to look up lorry, which is a British term I've never heard used in America.
December 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word zelator
I assume this word has a root of zeal.
December 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pogonotomy
Interesting use of gentile in definition 2, I wonder what historical relevance it has.
December 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the list tom-swifties
I added one to anonymously, but I haven't really written many, so it might not be any good.
December 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word anonymously
"We'll have a rodent soon", the man said anonymously.
December 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word intriguing
First of all, awesome WordNet definition.
Also, what's the deal with that spelling. I stared at the word for thirty seconds before looking it up to determine I had it spelled correctly.
December 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word anonym
As Bilby says, intriguing.... I suppose when doing this you are being anonymous, but I would have thought this meant to go without using any name.
December 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word generalist
There used to be such a thing as a Renaissance Man, which was a revered title.
December 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word viscocity
The definitions are provided by WordNet, but a comment with the definition is sufficient. I think the problem is that this word should be spelled viscosity.
December 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word avauntular
See avuncular.
December 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word circumjacent
That passage is so poetic that it's difficult to figure out what's actually going on.
December 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dropalme
That makes sense, thanks.
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word syllogistic
Now we have to define what the meaning of the word "is" is. If I am being illogical, but say that I'm being logical, have I now changed the meaning of the word logical? You are making what I would call a "false syllogism", which is fine, but I'm of the opinion you can't just change the original meaning with the false meaning. I would say,
1. same as above,
2. Falsely used to describe specious (often subtly so) reasoning.
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the list lessons-in-marxism
Groucho would definitely have been a Wordie.
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pajamas
Ah, prepositional attachment humor, good stuff.
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word musings
I hadn't really noticed, but now that you mention it, it is kind of annoying.
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word software development
I would think "Ruby on Rails" might be a bit more accurate as magic tech word.
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word puce
That's great chained_bear, do you recommend buying the whole thing? Stan Freberg's "The United States of America" box set on Amazon
December 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dropalme
I don't get it.
December 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word merry christmas
I like to say Happy Christmas and Merry New Year.
December 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word syllogistic
Actually, before you do a syllogism, you have to convert into first order logic.
1. Peanut_butter_sandwich > nothing
2. there does not exist X such that X > eternal_happiness
From this, you can't reason the way you said.
December 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word merry christmas
As a male, I think I can say that most wars are caused by men. So I'll change it towards "Peace for men and goodwill for all of earth".
December 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ensorcell
Clearly it's from the Middle French ensorceler.
December 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word merry christmas
Regardless of whether you are religious or atheist, I think we all agree on "peace on earth and goodwill towards all men".
December 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cosmos
From the Greek, this mean "order", which is the opposite of chaos.
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word brontephobia
And the winner is...
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word brontophobia
It's a race for the first hilarious comment to be posted brontephobia.
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word syllogistic
I'm fine with definition 1, but definition 2 is somewhat suspect.
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word merry christmas
I think you mean we're all trying to be secular. Nondenominational, to me, implies unspecified religion, particularly unspecified Christian, and typically all Christians support Christmas.
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word gnostic
It's silent.
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wikipedia
Anyone can make a Wikipedia page.
Edit: But rereading the Wikipedia page creation rules, I think this site tends to fall under their mission statement.
Edit2: By "fall under", I mean it doesn't fit into what they (the mods) want for there to be a page.
December 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bends
My baby's got the bends
December 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word serenity
Serenity now...
December 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word buffy
That line still makes me sad.
December 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bitch
It is the "bitch seat", "riding bitch" is short for "riding in the bitch seat".
December 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word interregnum
I know this from Foundation.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bitch
The same as in "Life's a bitch". I also like riding the usage, "riding bitch", describing being the one stuck in the middle backseat of a car.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word shibboleth
It arises naturally, but it is used deliberately to distinguish between the groups.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordkeeper
See listmaster and Ghostbusters
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the list globivore-guilt
I was at a grocery store in Urbana, Illinois, and came across Red Peppers all the way from Israel, which I thought was pretty strange.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word gradu
So gradu is a hypernym of Specific Excrement ?
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word gradu
So gradu is a superset of specific excrement?
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word listmaster
The natural counterpart to the listmaster is the wordkeeper.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word aleph-null
Which leads us to my favorite thing, the continuum hypothesis.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word festivus
Running to check...
By the bathroom criteria, I would warrant a second date! Of course, I'd probably say or do something terrible to offend her, but at least I would have been prepared.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word big bad
It was hard to beat the big bad of the first season, the Master, although season 3 with the Mayor came close. It got progressively worse until the awful big bad of season 6, but season 7 was definitely a good way to go out.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the list quiz-time-4
12. From the hint, element 63 is europium, and element 95 is americium.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lexisphere
I would say the English lexicon is the domain of all English words, and lexome would refer to only the words of a specific language, so they seem to overlap.
December 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word abscondite
portmanteau?
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word stocious
I'll tell you why, because we like to drink, and we believe there's no such thing as too much of a good thing. Because nothing really ever made sense to us, and as we grow older we realize that all the authorities figures in our life, the Catholic Church, the British Monarchy (or for us in America, the Government), minute differences between people causing so much violence, the worldwide epidemic and famine and pestilence, all of it. And when we drink, it all just kind of goes away.
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tamara
Never smelled this, but I want to.
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vocatives
Is this the first yo mamma joke ever?
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word annus horribilis
And Uselessness reminds me of the book I read in Spanish class, "Alexander y el día terrible, horrible, espantoso, horroroso"
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tinker
I see nothing wrong the use of tinker as described by WordNet. tinkerer is probably closer, but I'd understand both.
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word grimmoire
Ah, thanks for the clarification.
December 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ataraxia
I first heard this word as the title of track 3 of the Everclear album "So Much for the Afterglow", which was about a short statement about anti-depressants.
December 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bhagavata
See also Bhagavad Gita on Wikipedia
December 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word slag-ass macaroon
What's an ass macaroon?
December 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the list quiz-time-4
4. Marx?
December 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word grimmoire
I've typically heard this used as black grimmoire, to describe a place where evil secrets are kept, or spells for necromancy.
December 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word horrendously
That's awful, so awful that it actually becomes funny.
December 14, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lackadaisically
This is a classic, provided you've read one of the greatest books ever written.
December 14, 2007
seanahan commented on the word rapoldonion
The only google hits are for Wordie.
December 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hijos de puta
see also hijo de puta.
December 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word church
I love Thomas Paine.
December 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word man-who story
As a person who has studied logic quite a bit, I can say I don't actually think like that. What VanishedOne did was essentially proving what is called modus tollens. I would have phrase the problem as to prove "not for all X, man(x) -> tall(x)", and by moving the negation across the universal quantifier, you get "exists x such that not man(x) -> tall(x)", and by expanding the implication, "exists x such that not(not man(x) or tall(x))" and by distributing the not, you get "exists x such that man(x) and not tall(x)", which means if you find a 7 foot tall man, you have disproved the original statement that all man are below that height. Again, this is proved for you already in modus tollens, you never actually have to perform this proof. Larger logic proofs do however take this kind of form.
Lewis Carroll actually wrote a book about logic.
December 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word librartarian
That's really an awful pun, but it took guts, I'd vote for him.
December 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word quixotically
Hmm, I don't get this one.
Edit: Wait, quick-sotted-ly? I get it, that's hilarious.
December 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the list postpositive-adjectives
Uh, Scotch is Scottish Whisky, which they just call Whisky when you're in Scotland. There is also Whiskey, which is typically Irish, although many places make it now.
December 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word inadequate
Seinfeld did a whole bit on the growing "fear of success" in society. Deep down, I think we all long to be in the upper middle strata of society.
December 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word librartarian
A libertarian librarian.
December 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word herstory
Random House says history is "one who knows", while AHD says it is "learned man", which is probably indicative of the time it was used.
December 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word möbius fax
Is there actually a twist involved in this, or is this a circular piece of paper? How does this physically work? It doesn't seem like it would be easy to automate this.
December 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word erotology
That's great news John, best of luck with the new job.
December 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word smut
This page has more info WordNet definition of smut
December 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordiescenti
A play off of cognoscente.
December 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordiescenti
Coined by Asativum on hagiothecium.
December 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word v8
According to United States law, the makers are legally allowed to called this V8, despite the fact that v7f1 would be a more appropriate name.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vim
That is quite the strange triplet of comments.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the list quiz-time-4
1. Tubman (Harriet is the clue, if that helps with the others, as well as Underground Railroad)
After getting the first, I thought the rest would be easy, but I couldn't get any of them at first glance.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordout
Like a blackout.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word era
That sentence is a standard example in computational linguistics, used to describe how damn hard it is to do just about anything.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ghostly eunuch
See fraighteunclned if that wasn't obvious.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fraighteunclned
Those are hard words to spell. Every year my Mom has me proofread the family Christmas letter, and every year she misspells ghostly eunuch.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word handless
Apparently this means awkward or clumsy. I guess this makes sense, if you think about what dexterous actually means.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word gormless
I would say disconcerted means you are no longer giving a concerted effort, so the term holds. Also, you have a word like handful, but clearly you wouldn't ever need handless, it is a meaning full concept. Something can be full of wonder, or it can be normal.
December 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the list word-guidelines-for-wordie
I usually use AHD, but if I'm on a campus network, I'll use the OED.
December 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word duress
That's quite clever.
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the list lists-of-the-year
Must have missed your last post Arby, list dutifully added.
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loty07 most educational
Arby nominated It has a name??
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word filmwankers
This is a great word. I agree with Chained_Beat wholeheartedly. I would probably also use this word to describe anyone who didn't like The Princess Bride, or anyone who listed Harry Potter as one of their favorite movies.
Maybe we can also use this to describe people who watch movies based on books but never actually read the book. I'm thinking Jurassic Park, LotR, and "I, Robot"(not actually based on the stories),
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nunnery
The WordNet definition listed seems just a bit redundant.
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the list a-place-for-everything
Get thee to a nunnery.
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word woomera
As the US attorney general says, there is no habeas corpus in the Constitution. Why should Australia be any different?
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the list tip-top-toponymic
There's always champagne. There are of course a whole host of other alcoholic drinks with place names, bordeaux, shiraz, etc.
December 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word decimate
Actually pomegranate, linguistically speaking, common does tend to make it correct. A lot of words we use have different meanings now than when they were coined. We can't expect all words to keep the correct Latin meaning. delapidate, for example, doesn't mean what it does today, do you have a problem with that?
December 5, 2007
seanahan commented on the word leguministas
As coined on sproutitude.
December 5, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sproutitude
Remember to bracket your words.
leguministas.
December 5, 2007
seanahan commented on the word all-new
Also brand-new.
December 5, 2007
seanahan commented on the word absquatulate
This is a great word, it's so fun to say.
December 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jaffa
Of course, there's also the fact that everyone in the galaxy speaks English.
December 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word polyptoton
I think Rolig means noun phrase. I would tend to agree with Bilby, and for this purpose, and Ockham's razor, it makes sense to consider text to be an adjective.
December 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordie blogs
I've recently started a blog at http://seanahan.blogspot.com/
December 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word quark
I'm down with what you're saying Sionnach, that quarks have a certain charm, although that sounds pretty strange. You're usually on top of such things, and cut straight to what's up and getting to the bottom of such things. Hopefully bashing WordNet is just a flavor of the week, since it isn't actually a dictionary.
December 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word saccular
Having the form of a sac. Pretty straight forward.
December 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word anal spur
See Wikipedia.
December 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word taser
I think my main idea of WOTY was for it to be a new word, because otherwise we are choosing from a much larger pool of words. Most such lists award a neologism from that year or a word which no one had heard before that year. For example, truthiness existed, but in a different sense, and nobody had heard it. We could split into different types of word of the year if that's what people want.
December 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sepulcher
In America, I've seen sepulchre a couple times.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jaffa
I enjoy how MacGyver always mispronounced this word. Everyone else on the cast at least tried to pronounce it.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word deja lu
Now I want to define deja screw, but that will only end badly.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pegleg
True story Bilby, that happened to you? I often find myself explaining to people how Eskimo's (their term, I'm told Inuit is correct) don't really have hundreds of words for snow when English only has one. This is a gross misunderstanding of language, and really some sort of anthropological hoax perpetrated by the Whorfians.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pique
I've often heard the expression "fit of pique", using the primary definition of "A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride" to mean acting out of wounded pride.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nosism
I was thinking nosismitist.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word taser
Especially since this is an old word. If someone else wants to run the WOTY categories (Uselessness, were you volunteering?), this would go under "Finally caught on" or something along those lines.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the list quiz-time-3
The done/Donne seems to me like quite the red herring. I never would have put those two together, even though I read a done/Donne pun earlier today!
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word thac0
Pronounced "thay-co".
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the list have-you-met-dick
Reminds me of that scene from Austin Powers, I wonder if that's the inspiration for it.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word phalynx
Also, there's fauxlynx.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word grim resignation over missing post-holiday comments
I'm in the midst of catching up with over a 1000 comments, and it's not pleasant, all of the good jokes are already taken!
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lingerie
It's because of the voiced postalveolar fricative.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word astaraceae
see asteraceae.
December 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word shitmax
When I saw shitmix, this word sprang to mind. It is like argmax, if you know math. When you have a whole bunch of bad things that can happen, it invariably ends up being the shitmax.
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bra
I interpret it as panties go over both legs, where as the bra is worn over the chest.
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word singularitarian
Wow, just wow. I think all philosophy should be taught with Gilbert and Sullivan.
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fuzzy wuzzy
See also fuzzy.
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word moe, larry and curly
The various combinations are listed here,
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loty07 most innovative
Action movie in 50 words , although this came after Journey of a 300-Year-Old-House, I liked it a lot.
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loty07 best knee-slapper
Linked here, Name Suggestions for Even Bigger SUVs and Trucks
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cabal
I think so. It should only be used rarely, unless, of course, you are paranoid.
November 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word gravy train
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it riding the gravy train.
November 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word shuffle off this mortal coil
The original is from Hamlet.
See here for some interesting notes: Phrase explanation
November 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cackhanded
See this discussion on Wordcraft
November 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bagpipes
That's a great joke.
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the list what-s-the-word-for-that
Is there a name for the thing when you hold both hands palm up and kind of lift them as you shrug?
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the list what-s-the-word-for-that
Before facepalm, I didn't have a good way to describe it.
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cancer
A professor had a mug which said "F*%& Cancer". Someone came up to him and said, "That's not a nice word", and he responded, "Yes, but since that's the name of the disease I have, I feel justified in using it". It's a horrible illness, and our ability to stand tall and laugh in the face of death is part of what makes us human.
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordieoisie
The "word-ee-wah-zee", to sound like bourgeoisie. I guess this would be Wordie's middle class, but it's just so much fun to say.
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word thanks
Thanks John for all your hard work in making this a great community.
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word weirdoise
Not to be confused with the wordieoisie.
November 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the list lists-of-the-year
Added. I'm going to say Best All Around is decided first, so that the same word doesn't win that and another category.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word features
We can just tag words as misspelled.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lucky star
Earworm alert!
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tagony
It may be bad, but by properly tagonizing over your tags, you can achieve a state of tecstasy.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lagomorph
hopping through the forest
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the list on-the-border
OreIda is a brand name, although they use a hyphen.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cheese it
Describes how Bender runs away, typically after committing a burglary.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the list exit-strategy
What about cheese it?
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word psa
A public service announcement.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word deretartratered
Let me try to elaborate. :)
The winery didn't want to tartrate their wine, but the government insisted, forcing a tartrater on them, meaning they where tartratered. They appealed, and the appeals court detartratered them. The case went to the Supreme Court, who upheld the initial ruling, meaning the winery was retartratered. Finally, the President pardoned the winery, resulting in the unprecedented action of being deretartratered.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lost comments
PSA:
Little Boy: I missed that great comment, what happened?
LeVar Burton: When you went from posts 200-300 to posts 100-200, there had been 10 new comments added, so you lost comments 201-210.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word penvy
Sure, that's clearly what this is a portmanteau of.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ouroboros
A couple years ago I was ONE letter away from making this word in Scrabble.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word illiana
There is a Illiana Christian high School
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word texoma
See texhoma.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word texhoma
There is a border city name Texhoma , but there is also a lake named Texoma.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fellatiate
I think you want fellate.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loty07
Ok, anyone who wishes can feel free to make a category, and then I will make a list pointing to each of the words which represent.
Post categories to List of Categories for List of the Year 07 . I suggest funniest-loty07, etc., but others may wish a different standard.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the list lists-of-the-year
Please post categories for list of the year here, and then post the nominations to those pages.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word röschti
Mmm, sounds tasty.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ptyalism
If my dentist had used this word, it might not have been so awkward.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lozenge
It was a funny limerick, but perhaps it was my oedilf days which led me to think the whole time that the stresses ended up on the wrong words. With no offense intended, I'll offer up this slight change.
Mr. Yarb was a Wordie renowned
and his views on what rhymes were quite sound
they offered up "lozenge"
to rhyme against "orange"
and he promptly dropped dead to the ground.
November 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the list consonant-storm
"Once more into the labio-dentals, comrade" should be your new catchphrase, it is hilarious.
November 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the list at-least-two-apostrophes-or-your-money-back
'twasn't the night before Christmas.
November 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word boulevard of broken dreams
The distinction between Wordie and Phrasie is not entirely clear, since it is difficult to define what exactly a word is.
November 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the list triads
How about latvia, lithuania, estonia and hammer, anvil, stirrup?
November 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the list michaelchang-s-words
Do you invent a lot of words in your short stories?
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word digressive
I was thinking that there must be a form of tangent that means this, but tangential means something different.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word orangest
I can honestly say that I've never used the word orangest, and I can't recall having ever heard or read it. I've heard greenest, bluest, and reddest. I don't think I've heard yellowest or purplest, although they both are recognized as words. This is pretty strange. Perhaps if enough people add it to their words, we can start a movement for the dictionaries to add it. Anyone know a lexicographer?
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word candid
I knew someone who ran the auto spellchecker on an essay and ended up with a paper on Voltaire's Candid.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word gimps
Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mersenne primes
see gimps
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word advertising
I'm cool with advertising on the site. For those with AdBlock, the ads were blocked by default, so if people want them or don't want them, they can control it themselves.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word quondam
Now that's some WeirdNet action.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word moral bankruptcy
It's definitely "Hear Hear".
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ghits
I didn't invent this term, this is how I saw it. Next thing you know you'll be sticking an hyphen in email.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word orangest
Orange is listed as an adjective in the dictionary, I assume that oranger and orangest are implicit.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the list what-does-xkcd-mean
Funny, they've got my life down almost perfectly.
This is a funny book related comic
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word oracular
This is a fabulous sounding word.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wallflower
Don't forget that there are perks.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word marlovian
Refers to Thomas Marlowe.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the list beauty-is-truth-truth-beauty
I really enjoy anemone as a word, although I could care less about what it actually means.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word logomancer
Used by John on bibliomancy. Also, apparently, a Wikipedia user
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nesiote
Can anyone find an etymology? I couldn't.
November 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word surreal
Knuth is an icon. He wrote the Dancing Links algorithm to solve Sudoku several years before the game was invented!
November 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ghits
The number of google hits for a search term.
November 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word whg per bp
I've heard ghits which is a bit cleaner.
November 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the list grasshopper-s-words
John has a long mustache.
November 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word beref
You've have unleashed me onto this Internet, and now I will ravish and scourge it.
November 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the list grasshopper-s-words
Grasshopper, the chair is against the wall.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word beref
Random word took me here, and I'm not sure how to get out. There are no links to any other words or lists. I guess I'm stuck here until somebody let's me out.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word word of the year
I understand what you're saying, there are so many good words and lists that it would be really hard to pick out the top ones, and some awesome stuff from 8 months ago would be left out. I'll have to think about this some more.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordieing
The act of using Wordie.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the user john
Hey John, what's the feasibility of tags on lists, and comments on tag pages? These are very minor feature requests, but if they are easy to do, that would be awesome.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word john
Ouch John, not even the first one to list your own name. I picture you putting Wordie online like opening an amusement park, and Riddley runs past you to get into the line for the best roller coater.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the list grasshopper-s-words
Bandersnatch is ok, because Lewis Carroll just kind of made it up. Testiculate was made up with a different meaning, as a portmanteau, but we probably need a different term for existing words which we make up new meanings for. Flustrated goes back to 1700, so it is officially not Madeupical, and neither is nounal. You can tag both as "real", or "nonmadeupical" if you like.
Of course, I have no authority, but people tend to listen to me because I talk so loudly that they can't hear anybody else.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordieternity
I also feel like this is a possible use case:
"I was out of town for the weekend and the recent comments overflowed so I couldn't read them all." "Dude, a weekend? That's a wordieternity!"
Of course, I also like C_B's usage, "Madeupical will go down for all wordieternity as a classic."
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word comate
Used to describe a comet in the OED citation, "1600 FAIRFAX Tasso XIV. xliv, How comate, crinite, caudate starres are fram'd."
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word crinite
The earliest site from the OED is "1600 FAIRFAX Tasso XIV. xliv, How comate, crinite, caudate starres are fram'd I knew.", which probably means something to someone.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nerf herder
Is it frightening that I actually consider that to be crucial information?
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bam
An ancient city, destroyed 4 years ago.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word postnatal hunger
Maybe Chained_Bear has learned how to read lips. Then she literally would have seen someone utter something. Bam.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word xd
It doesn't really work in the upper case either, ;P
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word toty07
See the tag page Words tagged with toty07
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loty07
Evidently we can't put tags on lists. So for the time being we'll just list them here.
Action Movie in 50 Words
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word woty07
Not actually nominated, just added the tag for completeness. See the tagged words
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loty07
This tag is used to apply to "Nominated for List of the Year in 2007".
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word toty07
This tag is used to apply to "Nominated for Thread of the Year in 2007".
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word woty07
This tag is used to apply to "Nominated for Word of the Year in 2007". In 2107, we'll have to have John III fix it.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word word of the year
Because we will form some sort of nominating committee, we don't have to worry about THAT WHICH WILL NOT BE SPOKEN winning. I envisioned us choosing only madeupical words (not really fair for me to use that here), but rare words that no one had chosen would also be useful.
So we have the tags
woty07 = word of the year 2007
toty07 = thread of the year 2007 (we'll include all threads at this point and figure out later what to do with multi-year threads)
loty07 = list of the year 2007
Other categories can possibly come in the future.
November 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word word of the year
If we can get the nominations together by November 25, that would be great. I think it will be hard to get everything together by then.
November 14, 2007
seanahan commented on the word word of the year
I originally suggested that we tag things as shirt, since I don't think punctuation in tags is good.
November 14, 2007
seanahan commented on the word word of the year
I propose that Wordie do a word of the year. John, can we do a poll somehow? Also, if enough people are interested, we could put the voting on the front page. We could also do things like comment of the year, thread of the year, list of the year, etc. Then, John could get a special gold star to add to the appropriate pages. Possibly silver, bronze, and nomination stars for others.
Suggestions for various categories and input on details on how this will work are appreciated. Eventually, we'd start a "X of the Year: 2007" page and take nominations. Some group of us, possibly the league of extrawordy gentlemen, possibly an independent group, possibly John if he wants to, can sift through the nominations and come up with 5 or so to be put onto the poll, which people can vote for at some point in December.
We should also get John's input to check if this poses any technical challenges on his end.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word winchellism
I always think of Joe DiMaggio when I hear Winchell.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word upper volta
This is an old term for Burkina Faso.
Sometimes I think there is something wrong with me, that I could make better use of my brain cells.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jude law
His semester abroad was excellent.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word galvanize
This word is actually an eponym. It belongs on a number of lists.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word boustrophedonically
I'm sorry, but as a programmer I read that pdf and am almost about to cry. There is a reason modern program languages evolved.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word einhänder
I've never heard of a "one-hander" sword, although I have heard of a bastard sword referred to as a "hand and a half" sword.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hoover
Nobody does it like you, the way that you do, C_B, nobody, does it like you.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ingenue
Compare this to disingenuous.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word surveil
I like this word, but I am a sucker for spy shows.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word blackjack
More importantly, all of the the words that have kj that pronounce both letters are compound words. The j in Reykjavik is different than the normal English j.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word features
It would be ideal to be able to edit a comment, as you can on almost every message board I post to. If people are concerned about people editing messages and screwing up the flow of conversations, I would say have an "Edited" marker that a person could click on for the original post.
November 13, 2007
seanahan commented on the word rank
For the record, the row on a chess board is named in direct analogy for the line of soldiers. I would imagine the hierarchy term comes from this as well.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ridonkculous
Another character on that show used the shortened form ridonk, which made me angry. This is definitely a frat boy word.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word donkey
It certainly isn't.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word stronger
Ah yes, Kanye West, Nietszsche scholar.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jacobean
Apparently, the Latin cognate for James is Jacobaeus, which leeds us to this word.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bourgie porn
A word in the article I'd never seen before, treacle.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word intoxicated
I probably say sex would have to be up there as well.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tagging
At some point, I suggested using a version of Roget's thesaurus, which is in the public domain, to provide more information to words. I don't really like tagging the opposite word as a regular tag, it is very confusing. If we had a separate "synonym" and "antonym" area, we could avoid this issue.
November 12, 2007
seanahan commented on the word endorheic
A closed water system, including many lakes, like the Caspian Sea.
November 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the list quiz-time-3
Rumble in the Jungle! I got one. I have some guesses, but I'll save them until I've thought about them some more.
November 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word senior's moment
I've only ever seen it as senior moment.
November 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vowel
Why?
November 11, 2007
seanahan commented on the word autolysis
And you wonder why Peta might be against animal testing...
November 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word philomathy
see also polymath.
November 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hirquitalliency
I'm not sure if this is madeupical or just exceedingly rare.
November 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word shiner bock
An excellent beer made in Texas.
November 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word womonym
I don't think so. Homonym has an actual meaning, whereas womonym would be a female nym.
November 10, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fission
"He (American biologist William A. Arnold) could have gone to Berkeley to pick up radioisotope technique, but would have missed living in Copenhagen, learning from de Hevesy - would have missed contributing a coinage to the gamble that is history.... 'Later that day Frisch looked me up and said, 'You work in a microbiology lab. What do you call the process in which one bacterium divides into two?' And I answered, 'binary fission'. He wanted to know if you could call if 'fission' alone, and I said you could'"
-- From "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes, Frisch referring to Otto Frisch, who with Lise Meitner first postulated nuclear fission.
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word travertine
From a Roman poet in 1938 describing the arrival of Hitler:
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word annealing
I actually studied simulated annealing in class today, funny coincidence.
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word naughties
Back in 1999, I decided to call them the aughts, and I've kept to my convictions.
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word featherstonehaugh
And you wonder why America had a revolution. This was one of the Intolerable Names, and was the driving force between the Declaration of Pronunciation. See also worcestershire.
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pundigrion
They have slain the Earl of Murray,
and on him punned the green.
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word perfervid
Another example is perforce.
November 9, 2007
seanahan commented on the word iridule
From this page
His (Nabokov's) wife later explained “iridule�? to a curious reader: “We have often had the occasion to watch it at Telluride Colorado, in 1951. It is single i.e. not a double rainbow, like the “Twinned Iris�? of the previous line, fairly rarely seen and most attractive.�?
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lamellibranchia
see lamellibranch.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lamellibranch
Apparently this is also known as lamellibranchia.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bivalvia
A class of mollusks containing scallops, oysters, clams, and mussels. see malacology for an exciting jaunt into the stunningly confusing world of taxonomy.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lamellibranch
Finally, we've reached somewhere that means something. This is a class better known as Bivalvia.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word monomya
Oh, of course, "An order of lamellibranchs". This is order includes oysters, and as far as Wikipedia is concerned, doesn't exist. It seems to exist only in dictionaries.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word monomyarian
From the free dictionary, "a. 1. (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the Monomya.". Thanks a lot.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word malacology
see monomyarian
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the list snaily-clammy-squidy
You need to use &91; for left square bracket and &93; for right square bracket.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the list snaily-clammy-squidy
Test post with and
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word preterist
see iridule
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word eternian
Someone from Eternia.
I have the POWER!
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word limpet
It's funny, because 8 years on, nobody every mentions it, and I can't remember the last time I thought about it.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word front door
I'm not sure what you are referring to.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word facepalm
Hitting your palm against your forehead in frustration.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jawdrop
When your drops in awe at something complete unbelievable. Also used to describe a physical motion is facepalm.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dollar
The best etymology ever.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word clitterati
jawdrop
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word logodaedaly
"playing with words", nothing people on Wordie would like, as evidenced by the only 2 lists which it appears on.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word worcestershire
I get confused because you only pronounce a few of the letters.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word diamond
WordNet is a bit different than a normal dictionary. Diamond has a general physical definition, which we all know. The term diamond is typically used to describe a piece of diamond mounted on some sort jewelry. This is the most commonly used, which is why it is the first definition WordNet gives.
Looking at the WordNet entry should be illustrative.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word listlessness
Yes, we should have a 4 s cap on any username.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word stirrup
Not true! Stirrup pants!
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word caparison
Janny Wurts really likes using these old school words, which is where I first heard this one.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word squire
Essentially, the meaning of the words knight and squire flipped.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word criniere
Crin is apparently Latin for horse hair.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word crapple
Holy crip he's a crapple.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word plethron
That is really strange, I would have assume that plethora and plethron came from the same source, but apparently they were just similar sounding Greek words.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word finger
Also, a unix command to get information about someone.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cuy
According to Wikipedia , these have been a common food source for 7 millennia.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word clockpunk
How is this different than alternative history?
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word trait
Apparently, the trailing t is silent in Britain, but never in America, where you would not be understood.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word barren
I wouldn't say poor choice of words, I would say cruel. The usage is ironic, which is normally a good thing, but in this case, the words were being used for evil.
November 8, 2007
seanahan commented on the word barren
I don't think it actually means without child in that sense. The normal sense is unable to conceive children, and in this case, the woman was deliberately barren, that is, deliberately not conceiving.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word juliet balcony
I don't seem to remember any balcony scenes in Romeo and Juliet.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word raif
Interesting John, I hadn't heard of this, although from the connection to raid I knew roughly what it was.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word juliet balcony
That site doesn't mention the etymology, and I could never possible guess what it might be.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word knack
Offensive? I find it apropos.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word zhubov scale
This isn't made up? How many Zhubov's balls do we have today?
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hubble
It is enormous in earthly terms, not in economical terms.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word helek
1080 = 360 * 3, which implies some relation to Babylonian measures.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word arcminute
That's 360 degrees times 60 minutes per degree.
November 7, 2007
seanahan commented on the word venust
The t really takes away from the beauty of the word.
November 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tartar
Let them have their tartar sauce.
November 6, 2007
seanahan commented on the word impleach
Wait, impleach means the same thing as pleach?
November 5, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wella, wella, wella
Yes, it is a line from Summer Nights.
http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/g/grease8951/summernights302648.html
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word whortleberry
Wow, "erect European blueberry", hilarious.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word amaranthine
The closest I can think of would be to say bon mot, but it doesn't describe this specific situation.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word potato love
It's a brilliant term from a brilliant writer.
Also, it describes how I feel about potatoes.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word detartrated
I say onward to 200,000! Zipf be damned!
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dimwitticism
This could be used for good or for evil. This would be great to describe a particularly stupid pun or an idiotic word like enginerd. However, it could be used by others to describe a lot of the comments that I leave.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the list writer-writer
People tend to have lots of words for their group, writers just happen to write them all down.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ithyphallic
I failed miserably.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fnord
What are we going to do tonight chained_bear?
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word haitch
Evidently I'm a bad Irish Catholic.
November 4, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wolfram
I made a very bad joke today, about the makers of Mathematica suing the periodic table, resulting in tungsten. When nobody laughed I said "too obscure?", and they replied, "too unfunny".
November 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nanook
The term "Nanook of the North" stands out for me, and it appears to be a 1922 movie, see IMDB . Weird, I wonder why an 85 year old movie pops so quickly to my mind.
November 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tags
Uh oh John, he knows too much.
November 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word free rice
I must have missed that one.
November 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word schwartz
Low Brow! Mel Brooks is not low-brow! I was actually looking for, "I see your Schwartz is as big as mine, let's see how you, handle it".
Ok, that was definitely pretty low-brow. Maybe this game isn't as fun as I thought.
November 3, 2007
seanahan commented on the word schwartz
Cauchy actually would go with Schwarz, but I'm looking for a whole sentence, not just a single word.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ask
In the year 3000, everybody says axe.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word alpestrious
How exactly is something overrun with alps? Also, I discovered that alpestrine is a word.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word schwartz
A new game, somebody posts on a word, and the first person to answer with the correct comment wins! Anybody can pick a word to select, and anybody can respond with the answer. The trick is, no clues can be left.
Ready? Go.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word free rice
http://freerice.com/
It's a Wordie kind of thing, abusing our powers to help right world's wrongs.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word anne heche
Queen Anne is different than Anne Heche
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word epistolary
So that's what epistle means.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cavalier
This has the same root as cavalry, and chivalry.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word razzle-dazzle
Seriously, I'd trust Pinker over my own mother.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the list kenno-s-words
Make sure to leave no comments on kennosucks, and we can wait to see how long until somebody else adds it.
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word economical
There are 10^11 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers. - Richard Feynman
November 2, 2007
seanahan commented on the word suoidea
It appears to be spelled Suidae, but I can't find an etymology.
November 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word paladin
I've heard of it, but it was well before my time.
November 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word imdbing
Searching for something on IMDB.
November 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word queen mab
Also a character in (frantically IMDBing) Merlin , a 1998 TV movie.
November 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word colobus
You can't just keep hanging around these colobus monkeys. Somebody's going to get parasites.
November 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word paladin
Paladin means imperial guard, but specifically refers to one of Charlemagne's guard, and since he was the Holy Roman Emperor, I can see how the connotation could be applied.
November 1, 2007
seanahan commented on the word aphorism
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me", but "The pen is mightier than the sword". There is an inherent flaw in aphorisms, that they can prove whatever you want.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fuzzy logic
In logic, a preposition is either true or false. In fuzzy logic, a proposition can be some percentage true. Is John tall? In normal logic, yes or no. In fuzzy logic, maybe he is .8 tall, probably where 0 is the shortest person, and 1 is the tallest.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fuzzy-wuzzy
See also fuzzy wuzzy.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word achphenomenon
Like eureka?
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dreams
"Maybe it's just me, but what I consider to be my dreams aren't what happens when I'm asleep. My true inner dreams come out in the in between minutes when my eyes are shut and I'm still awake. My deepest desires and my darkest fears, everything I've ever done wrong, and everyone I've ever loved. Past glories, forgotten friends, all that I've ever done, and all that I plan to do, in those few minutes. The darkest nightmares that could only occur while awake, because the unconscious mind couldn't imagine such things, tempered by the sweet remembrances of home from long ago, and the sweet touch of lips against mine. Finally, nothing is left except for the inevitable escape into slumber.
When I wake up in the morning, I remember my "dreams", how the great times were only good, and the horrible times weren't that bad. Dreams are the past and the future, but today is the present." -- excerpt from the autobiography of Seanahan
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word uniq
A Unix command which removes duplicates from a sorted list, among other things.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word databasable
I would say uniq the list.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ping
A program which sends a message from one computer to another to verify they are connected. In programming jargon, it has extended to all sorts of things. Such as, we're about to leave for lunch, why don't you ping John at his desk and see if he wants to come.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word light a fire under
That's priceless.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the list beauty
I was searching for a word to describe this list, but it seems like you've got most of them.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word baldwin
From the Alec/Stephen/Billy family?
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bonny
I thought this was Irish, but it's actually Scottish, which I guess is pretty close. "Bonnie lass" is fairly common phrase in Celtic music.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word illeist
A list of famous illiests is on Illeism at Wikipedia
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pennoncel
Has the same root as pennant.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word space cadet
I like this one a lot.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the list disemvoweled
How about cwm?
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word utilize
I seem to remember being told to "vary" our language when writing. We were tought that you shouldn't overly use words like "use", and should use synonyms, like "utilize".
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word interjection
Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.
October 31, 2007
seanahan commented on the word twopointopian
People who are into the whole 2.0 thing, Web 2.0, etc.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word seamen
Apologies if my comments came off in any way except humorous or information.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word seamen
I was quoting a particularly funny Simpsons line containing the word "seaman". This seems like the appropriate place to post it, I like the Simpsons, and I like posting the quotes to words, especially since whenever I hear this word, I think of that quote. I don't like being accused of misogyny when I leave a relevant comment to a word. I also don't understand how anything I've said is "hateful", in bad taste, sure.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word horticulturally
I was never a big fan of these, but this one has given me a new appreciation.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word seamen
Seanahan: Random Simpsons quote
Chained_Bear: I don't understand, so I'll spout off random generalizations, while not actually having anything to back them up.
Seanahan: Uh, ok, you do that.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word minstrelsy
The art or practice of a minstrel.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the list poetrie-ballade-of-good-doctrine-to-those-of-evil-life
You should add minstrelsy to the list.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word eu-demonics
The study of happy demons.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word eudemonics
Not to be confused with eu-demonics, which is the study of happy demons.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word harvard comma
Be careful not to be overly zealous with this, or a Panda will shoot up a restaurant and leave.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word oxford comma
I must cast a late vote for the Oxford Comma, it is a necessity.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word prurient
That's a bizarre title.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word seamen
Mr. Burns: What do you think Smithers?
Smithers: I think women and seamen don't mix.
Mr. Burns: We know what you think
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dog-whistle
In the dawn of time, when Wordie was just a twinkle in John's eye, there was this hurricane, and the residents of New Orleans fled, seeking refuge in nearby cities. Therefore, they were refugees. This seemed all well and good, except they got terribly angry about the word. When Houston was hit by a hurricane some time later, I resolved not to let my friends there seek refuge at my apartment unless they called themselves refugees, but luckily, they didn't have to evacuate.
October 30, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mutually exclusive and exhaustive
Is there another term for this? I've never heard it in probability theory.
October 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pleasure cruise
Probably some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise, at night, through eel-infested waters.
October 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the list decemberistic-words
There are a couple of other Decemberists lists about, and I've left a number of quotes for certain words. Great band.
October 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word knap
You have a strange job.
October 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dog-whistle
"Family Values" means pro-life and anti-gay.
October 29, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wappened
Webster's says "A word of doubtful meaning". I've never seen that before.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word white on rice
But "like flies on shit" makes complete sense, since flies are often found there. However, rice is white, nothing is added or changed to make it white. This expression has always bugged me.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word esquivalience
That book looks interesting, I'm going to have to read it.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loadeo
Yes ma'am.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fontanelle
The soft spot on an infant's head.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fontanel
Also spelled fontanelle.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mojo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tycho_Brahe#Tycho.27s_nose
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word moist
Let's examine some of the lists this is on.
BAD words, by fluffymoo
words that make my skin crawl, by minervacat
Words I Hate, by Magwitch
Words I Hate, by MacBean
Words I Absolutely Can NOT Stand., by andrea
Unspeakables, by roblord
Words I dislike, by SarahCN
words i hate, by beccacat
Words that I hate with the fire of a thousand suns:, by noverb
Totally Normal Words That Can Make You Squirm, by tjesser
least favorite words, by neversent
words I cannot stand, by punky
Words I Hate, by masonm894
Words I just don't like at all . . ., by kingofbash
Hates, by HKNovielli
Grrrrr, by ElmoAli
gross., by rhoda
black listed, by actingsoadultnow
horribleawfulterrible words, by doublefourtime
Not fond of, by ashtonhaley
Hmm, it looks like a lot of people hate this word.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word umlaut
The band Queensrÿche has long regretted the "heavy metal umlaut" in their name.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word white on rice
What's the etymology of this? I've never quite understood it.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tanga
Actually CB, it's a weird "non-ass" version of a bikini/swimsuit abomination thing.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word desirous
One of the greatest quotes of all time.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word well whoopdeedoo
If you add a frickin' in there someone, it is something I've heard a couple times.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mojo
Tycho Brahe actually wore a replacement nose partially made out of silver, which is why I call him "Old Goldnose". While his theories were all wrong, his observational skills were impeccable, and his data allowed Kepler to devise the laws of planetary motion.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word periphrastic
This word means overly wordy? It should be our new motto.
BTW, I think this is like the 4th or 5th word I've suggested as our motto. If I could find them all, I would make a list.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the list bird-wirds-adjectives
We should start a Wordie fan site on wirdee where we tell meta-jokes about the meta-conversations that we meta-have on Wordie.
Or, we could use it as a testbed to test out new Wordie features that aren't quite ready for prime time.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the user patty4jc
You might want to look at amazing grace for some ideas.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word immoralist
That was the global "you". In general, this word doesn't mean what people who hadn't seen it before would think it would mean. I guess I should have had a "would" in there.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jukebox
The newfangled jukeboxes allow you to download songs from a massive library onto the machine for an extra cost, so you aren't limited to a small number of records.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word imbricate
Wow, those are big words for the New York Times.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fylfot
This is another word for Swastika, which is an ancient symbol, particularly in Hinduism. The Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika has a number of alternate names for it.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the list end-in-ot
CB, I wrote an answer on the fylfot page.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word loadeo
This sounds like one of those words a girl would use and I would roll my eyes at how stupid it was.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word larrikin
Origin Unknown, NOOOOOOOO! I really want to know where this comes from.
October 28, 2007
seanahan commented on the word prurient
That's a bizarre quote.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word music
I read yesterday that Patrick Henry almost certainly never said "Give me Liberty or give me death", but does that really take away from the quote?
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the list end-in-kin
wifkin?
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word immoralist
This doesn't mean what you (would) think. This is opposition or indifference to conventional morality. It isn't such a bad thing.
Edit: would
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word interjection
What? No!
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mercredi
From mercury, of course.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word picard maneuver
Picard Maneuver (wikipedia)
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word buckyball
A molecule of buckminsterfullerene, and oh so much fun.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word curvebreaker
Yeah, sorry about that.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pwn
The only people I know who actually say "powned" are cognizant of its origin, but find it funny to pronounce the p.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word prang
And confused, I have no idea what that means.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word unbelievable terrible unbearable
Used on unbelievable terrible.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word enshrunken
I don't know enseanting, I can't seem to find a definition anywhere.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the list veevi-s-words
That's very interesting. You should leave that comment on the innocuous word page.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word unbelievable terrible
What about Unbelievable Terrible Unbearable?
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word compassionate conservatism
I definitely phrased it badly. I meant something along the lines of "abandon our biases", and was thinking about adding "using our knowledge of history".
Pretty much everything we come across has happened in history, with the exceptions of things like global warming and thermonuclear war.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ewok
The only part of any movie that brings me close to crying is in Return of the Jedi where the ewok dies. It gets me every time.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the list mix-breeds-mutts-and-mongrels
John, nothing stops us from finding a girl to buy two jugs, a big burly guy to play her boyfriend, and show up to the same block in New York City with you, where you could play out this scenario. Plus, since the beatings you receive will be fake, you could do it daily.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word rapprochemental
Obsessed with reaching a rapprochement.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word felted
In poker, this refers to a player losing all of their chips, meaning they have nothing left in front of them but felt.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bishop
Well, I know that knight, king, queen, and pawn are verbs, so ...
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word raccoonnookkeeper
I know what it means because I read the etymology. I think the average English speaker would have a difficult time parsing this word. Compound words in English pretty much max out at 2 pieces, bookkeeper, firehouse, lukewarm, all pairs. Of course, I have madeupicalized words that have far less reason for existence.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word is this some kind of trick
Nope, it's not.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the list thine-is-the-kingdom
"I guess the grey havens are purely a literary fiction.". Uh, if you start differentiating between "literary fiction" and "religion", we're going to get into a flame war pretty quickly. Why do we study Greek mythology in literature class, and not religion or philosophy? It's a value judgment.
October 27, 2007
seanahan commented on the word it's all good
Often pronounced to "iss'all good". or "s'all good".
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word raccoonnookkeeper
I just can't justify this word as existing. English is not agglutinative!
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ashmouthing
Kissing a smoker. I know there must be a better word for this, any suggestions?
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word quitting smoking
No offense, but people who smoke smell bad. You don't notice, but it's disgusting. There has to be a good word to describe kissing something who is a smoker, something like ashmouthing, but cooler. I don't know whether those thoughts from a non-smoker help at all, I myself can't smoke, it causes me to cough and tear up.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the list double-your-fun
smellless
edit: Oh wait, that's a triple.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sophistical
Different than sophisticated, the meaning is associated with sophistry, an excellent word I learned from David Eddings.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the user yarb
So your favorite word should be unkempt?
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word noble savage
To quote Carl Sagan describing Thomas Jefferson:
"Nature destined him, he said, to be a scientist, but there were no opportunities for scientists in pre-revolutionary Virginia. Other, more urgent, needs took precedence. He threw himself into the historic events that were transpiring around him. Once independence was won, he said, later generations could devote themselves to science and scholarship"
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the list make-it-so
Patrick Stewart in all his glory
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word air force
Luftwaffe is from luft, meaning air, and waffe, meaning force. Luftstreitkräfte is roughly air strike force, from my brief perusal of an English/German dictionary.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word satirist
Jonathan Swift, Benjamin Franklin
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word information tamer
I'm thinking Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word listless
Those of us on Wordie who have or show no interest in making lists.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word compassionate conservatism
As I get older (into my middle twenties), I've come to realize that pretty much any broad political category is not feasible in the real world. On paper, the good points of libertarianism far outweigh the bad, except there are flaws, far less fatal than those attach to democrat or republican, but difficult to resolve none the less.
That being said, and I don't want to get into a political discussion, but the only valid political philosophy is that of free thought, abandoning our preconceptions and approaching each problem with fresh eyes.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the list thine-is-the-kingdom
sweet nothingness
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word second homeless
Remember when you're young and you laugh at how bitter old men are? I'm surprised it takes them that long to get there.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the list identify-the-wordie
I thought CB might have put moist as a red herring, but evidently not.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word adam
John, you forgot Adam Baldwin.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word glory
I always think "for thine is the the Kingdom and the power and the glory".
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word circumbendibus
This one deserves a definitive "Wow, awesome".
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word noble savage
Stephen Pinker did a pretty thorough debunking of this is "A Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human nature". For one thing, the murder rate of "savages" is astronomically higher than that of modern society.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word seed
For the opposite sense of the word, see the Sublime song seed.
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mutess
Not only obsolete, but rare!
October 26, 2007
seanahan commented on the word based off of
It means exactly based on. It is another in the long line of idioms which don't really mean anything.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word my left one
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word diéresis
In English this is diaeresis, from Greek.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word coprophagia
I would prefer the absence of such videos. A bit of adult language here and there is one thing, but videos like those that are described are ridiculous. I'm fine with people linking to a site as long as that remark that the link is obscene.
In general, I trust John, and if he thinks it is inappropriate, I wouldn't mind it being removed, although hopefully that will be very rare.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the list identify-the-wordie
chained_bear - moist
jennarenn - winsome
John - tenacious
reesetee - abecedarian
rocksinmypockets - rapprochemental
seanahan - obnoxious
skipvia - sophistical
uselessness - dissociative
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word too pooped to pop
Whatever you put John, it doesn't seem to render in Firefox, I only see a "Block" button from AdBlock.
Edit: Nevermind, Quicktime just loaded really slowly.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word frottage
Wow, just wow.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the list verbs-first-attested-in-shakespeare
assimilate
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ostrichsize
Being left out because you are shaped like a large bird.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chandler
A candle maker.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chandlery
see chandler
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word candlery
See also chandlery.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dotcomrade
I assume it is used to describe Communist colleagues at a website.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cockshut
Wow, I just assumed this was dirty.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word muff
Also a verb to describe dropping the football when it was punted to you.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the user patty4jc
transubstantiation!
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word horse's ovaries
I deserve at least an honorable mention for spelling Liechtenstein correctly on the first try, and not knowing German.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word embarrassing flair
The Nazis had pieces of flair that they made the Jews wear
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word litost
Seems like a combination of jealousy, inadequacy, and inferiority complex, with a bit of revenge thrown in for good measure.
October 25, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lynx
Also a terminal web browser.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fuants
Soon you'll look up excrement in the dictionary and see your picture!
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nihilarious
nihilism + hilarious.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nihilarian
Now I'm thinking nihilarious.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word alumina
aluminum occurring in the wild.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word phlebotinum
Aluminum is actually correct, since it is from alumina, and this is the way it is used in America. This was the original name. At some point, everyone in England decided that they preferred aluminium, probably because most of the other elements ended in "ium". Isaac Asimov wrote an interesting essay on this exact topic, which I found enjoyable. Asimov was actually a pretty big etymology buff, having written several books about words.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word peristeronic lingua franca
I laughed out loud.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word buttfoot
Sionnach called me this.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word analopod
You win this round. I feel like such a buttfoot.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word tete à tete
1. A private conversation between two people.
2. A short sofa intended to accommodate two persons.
I'd never heard the second definition, which sounds like a love seat.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the list complicated-complexes
Military-Industrial?
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ogle
I use both pronunciations, which makes me a bit strange, I'd imagine.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word stud muffin
Yes, but since CB didn't leave a comment, it is like you were the first one!
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pantomima
In English, we have pantomime and mime, the latter describing a funny guy with white face paint who pantomimes. Is there a similar Spanish word, i.e., mima?
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word charnego
Is this used descriptively or insultingly?
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word brindled
I try to say Macbeth as often as possible.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word analopod
See butthead or cephalopod.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cephalopod
Would that be analopod?
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pyrogeography
"Remote sensing specialist", a.k.a, quack.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word terrestrial radio
Used to describe AM and FM radio, the earthbound radio sources. These aren't nearly as cool as satellite radio, XM and Sirius.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word outernet
This is right up there with terrestrial radio.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word category ghetto
I get terribly frustrated by how bookstores choose to shelve books. You find pure non-fiction science books adjacent to fantasy novels. Books by Isaac Asimov, probably the author who has the widest distribution of books across categories, almost always end up in Science Fiction/Fantasy. Mysteries, biography, science textbooks, all in the SF&F section.
October 24, 2007
seanahan commented on the word re-up
I imagine this is originally a military term, describing signing on for another term. UD says it is getting more drugs.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word simaphor
Because not every person who comes along will get the joke, so I added a link to semaphore as a reference for others. It really isn't that common of a word.
I'm just not doing too good today with others. Pretty soon I'll have the whole league of extrawordy gentlemen banning me from the fireside chats.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cephalopod
Ooooooh, chained_bear looooooves me.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word simaphor
Why not?
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vestigial
I was commenting on your joking about being offended by not understanding his joke, as well as the general difficulty some people have determining if people are actually joking, or have really said something offensive.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the list enumeration
There's a list of English words with all 5 vowels, including a couple where the vowels appear in order.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word arch nemesis
I tend to think it is stronger than arch enemy as well.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word servitor
I think you mean gravitas? I doubt it sucks other words in, and I can't envision servants and henchmen orbiting servitor.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word grandilocuente
see grandiloquent.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word arch nemesis
Like arch enemy.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word voluptuous
Seriously, I didn't realize Dracula was so erotic.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word arch enemy
I prefer arch nemesis.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chorba
Reesetee, if you meant to say a girl was your girlfriend, but instead called her chubby, she would be offended, regardless of whether or not she was overweight or underweight. You see, these creatures called Women tend to be sensitive about such things.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word súcubo
See succubus or incubus. Etymology is the same as concubine, or in Spanish, concubina.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word geodesy
I've always thought that the person who studies this should be a geodeist.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word geodesy
The science and math dealing with the size and shape of the earth.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pleonasmo
See pleonasm
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word thrust mechanics
-joke- I studied thrust mechanics with your mother last night, Trebek -joke-
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word blows live rats
See blows dead rats.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sucks out loud on whole wheat toast
The healthy version of sucks out loud on toast.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word out loud on toast
What about sucks out loud on whole wheat toast?
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word blows dead rats
Is this better or worse than blows live rats?
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vestigial
Here's out it works. If I say something that is wrong, it is actually me telling a joke. If I use a word like irregardless or misuse their, it is me parodying non-Wordies. If I say something that offends you, it was intended to offend you, you jerk.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word frankenstein
And the name of the Doctor, not the Monster.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cephalopod
Don't worry about it CB, if it's any consolation, this can't have further lowered our opinion of you.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word simaphor
I realize that was a joke Sionnach, but see semaphore.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bastardaster
see dilettante
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chorba
I'm interested, Reesetee, to know which comment you think was "not very nice". Everything seems pretty tame to me.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordtuplets
I completely agree, Reesetee. No one is forced to do anything. Hopefully there are others like me, who prefer to add anything in brackets, and agree with the commenting. That way, everyone gets their way and no one person has to do too much.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word boustrophedon
Actually, when I read I move my neck after each line, so the work is saved on the neck. Furthermore, it is probably bad to have the neck in place for a long time, so moving it periodically could be healthy!
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word harrowing of hell
I'm pretty sure I saw that fight on tv, and Satan took a dive.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word indefatigable
When I'm three sheets to the wind, I tend to invert the g and t, with hilarious results.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fiasco
Apparently both English, Spanish, and French (among others) borrowed this from Italian.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hypercategorization
Making sure every single thing gets into its own box.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word concubino
I was making a social reference to the fact that men have concubines and women have affairs. There is a social acceptance for men to behave like this in many cultures, and that is evident in the words they use.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word features
My original thought was something like what the OED does (if you are on a university, you can typically access it for free). You can browse just the definition, or the citations, the pronunciation, date graph, etc. After reading this topic, I think this is a bad idea. If you want to do that, go to a Dictionary. Wordie is about words, how they're used, how they make us feel, the memories they invoke, how they make us cringe or laugh or cry. Adding hypercategorization to this would probably ruin it. However, adding some basic comment tagging would be acceptable to me.
October 23, 2007
seanahan commented on the word robodonut
Stretching the use of the word robot, don't you think?
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word erdős number
There has actually been mathematical research done on the structure of the Erdos graph. Erdos was certainly the most prolific mathematician of the last century, focusing primarily on combinatorics, but dabbling in just about everything. The number of papers which he was given co-author status is staggering.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dissolve
The process by which you lose the solution to a problem.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dichotomize
I know what it means, I'm just not sure how to use it in a reasonable sentence.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sever
There is an Itchy and Scratchy were the mouse police have the motto "Protect and Sever".
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word divvy
Different dictionaries list this as either a shortening of dividend or divide.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word parcel
It's weird, most Romance and Germanic languages uses a cognate of packet for this. It doesn't appear to be clearly broken down by language families though, this is probably an example of borrowing, especially given the context in which it is used.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pro rata
See prorate.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word prorate
This is from the Latin pro rata.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dissent
"Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime." -- Jacob Bronowski
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word discord
While applicable to music, it appears to have no etymological relationship to chord.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word discordant
"Justice is sweet and musical; but injustice is harsh and discordant." -- Henry David Thoreau
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dismember
Should the opposite of dismember be remember?
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word features
I'm not sure how I feel about the joke category. It's not nearly as funny if you have to specify that is a joke. Next thing you know there will be a sarcasm tag. Then there will be an irony tag and I'll have to spend the next year flaming every person who uses it because 90% of the time it is used incorrectly. I think Skipvia's merging idea would work.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word celerity
This is a good word, we need to start using it more often.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word harrowing of hell
I think Gandalf makes more sense, with his descent and resurrection as Gandalf the White.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fake-ass
Are you sure that isn't a real ass-word?
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word copypaste
Or in Linux, "Just middle click it". Or in Vim, "Just hit dot".
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordiecaster
Coined by Sionnach on dilettante.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chifferobe
Also, if appears that chiffrobe is somewhat used.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chifferobe
Ah, the great enemy of spelling, the schwa.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word paradigm
You only ever hear about paradigms shifting. What do they think they are, better than us? Those shifty bastards, moving from place to place with no regard to those they leave behind.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word irregardless
Actually, in many languages, double negatives don't resolve to positive. This was true of English for a long time, although not really in modernity. In Spanish, double negatives are used frequently.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word concubino
Probably the masculine form of concubina. The Seanahan dictionario de Espanol says "obscure".
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word concubina
Or the considerably rarer concubino.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wine
I've never heard of mixing wine with any kind of soda, including coke. Sangria is a well known drink in America.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word puta
Actually, in most of the world's languages, insults like this for women have enormous amounts of synonyms.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dilettante
This seems to be used mostly as an insult these days.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word harebrained
FYI, here is the usage note from AHD:
"The first use of harebrained dates to 1548. The spelling hairbrained also has a long history, going back to the 1500s when hair was a variant spelling of hare. The hair variant was preserved in Scotland into the 18th century, and as a result it is impossible to tell exactly when people began writing hairbrained in the belief that the word means "having a hair-sized brain" rather than "with no more sense than a hare." While hairbrained continues to be used and confused, it should be avoided in favor of harebrained which has been established as the correct spelling."
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word the
I mean, the is so underused in the English language, we need to come with more uses for it. Now, teh, that word drives me crazy.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word floccinaucinihilipilification
I did not realize that, but it makes a lot of sense. The humor of Eton is lost on the rest of the world.
October 22, 2007
seanahan commented on the word epicaricacy
That's how I pronounce it, Koani.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fanfic
Short for "fan fiction".
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word squidpunk
We're all for jokes here. In fact, just to spite society, we might all start writing squidpunk fanfic.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word uncopyrightable
I wouldn't say those last two are "in common use", although I have a passing interest in copyright law and I've never heard uncopyrightable.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fink
There are a number of opposing ideas for the etymology of this word. I feel very strongly that we need to root out the true source.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word simaphor
I think these are more common than you think, you're brain probably just interprets them as a normal metaphor.
Edit: I wrote "you're probably", and then deciding to go back and add in "brain", which is the source of the cringe.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ratfink
It is a combination of two similar insults. A rat refers to some spying or informing for the police, and fink means the same thing. You could combine either of these with stool pigeon, I suppose, but that would sound stupid.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lubricious
Used by Yarb on Monosyllabic words in the Wordie top 100
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word log
It's from Ren and Stimpy.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cracker
Crackers are a family food - happy families. Maybe single people eat crackers, I don't know. Frankly, I don't want to know. It's a market we can do without!
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word unaffixedly
The state of not being affixed with anything.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word monosyllabic
That's fun, how about unaffixedly.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word effete
Always reminds me of effeminate.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lingoz
I see your point, I'm going to have think about this some more.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word log
What rolls down stairs,
alone or in pairs,
and over your neighbor's dog?
What's great for a snack?
and fits on your back,
It's log, log, log.
It's log, log.
It's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
It's log, log.
It's better than bad, it's good.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the user logophile
Why do you love logs? Is it because they are big, heavy, and wood? :)
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word asunder
For B5, a series with a number of poetic episode titles, "And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder" is one of the best.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word portmanteau
Officially starting a tagging movement to use this word as a tag for appropriate words.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordiculous
That madeupical word is wordiculous, nobody would ever use that.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sundry
related to asunder.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word queuecumber
To encumber someone by forcing them to perpetually wait in line. Think the end of Beetle Juice.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word encumber
Similarly queuecumber
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word passibly
see passable before commenting.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word passable
You've got to look at the bright side logophile, nobody ever had their life ruined because they were only a passibly good speller.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word alienation
Read Kafka. Do it now. There may be a test later.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lingoz
Shall we take this discussion to features John? I like being able to vote for words or for discussions. Nothing as silly as the comment voting on Slashdot, but that might be a cool thing.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the list monosyllabic-words-in-the-wordie-top-100
Is anyone else concerned with the human condition that moist has 4 times as many comments as love?
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pumpkin
I figured it would be disturbing if I said "stab proof", since I'm pretty sure that "stabby proof" has no semantic meaning, but I should make it clear my feelings were directed at PUMP! kin.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word load average
It's always been when I see the fifteen minute load average at around 30.00. I'm pretty sure this means something is going terribly wrong.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word caribouian
Of or relating to Caribou.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word rangiferine
In North American, we prefer caribouian.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word martingala
Funny, I just heard the term Martingale in relation to math yesterday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martingale_%28probability_theory%29
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word zozobra
Double Z power!
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word girlfriend
My girlfriend she's at the end, she is starting to cry.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chorba
This is a really ugly weird, maybe because is sounds to me a little bit like chubby, which is not a word you'd want to call your girlfriend.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word correveidile
tattletale?
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word alirón
Mostly in futbol?
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word alienación
I think even the non-Spanish speakers here can figure out what this one means.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word aguafiestas
This word is funny, "water party".
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cantamañanas
That's a lot of "a"s.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word al tuntún
In English, haphazardly.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lingoz
http://www.lingoz.com/en/Home
Has anyone seen this site? It is kind of like Wordie, except lists are much harder to use and find, words are harder to comment and find, it is more centered around "Look, we have 4 million words" than the actually users (like Wordie is), and there are no Princess Bride references.
Oh, it has the Urban Dictionary "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" buttons.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word puta
You've listed a lot of Spanish words, and for some reason this one has the most related words. I wonder why...
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hijo de puta
We have the exact translation as an English insult, but it isn't used too often.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word enshrunken
Like at the end of Beetle Juice.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pumpkin
What you should be waiting to see, Jennarenn, is whether or not your shirt is stabby proof.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ofuscar
Is this related to obfuscate?
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word puterie
That's a crazy quote. If anyone understood it, people would be banning Chaucer.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the word yarbles
That's balls to us Americans.
October 21, 2007
seanahan commented on the user frangarnes
Welcome, I'm enjoying expanding my somewhat limited spanish vocabulary and I enjoy seeing what cool words there are in other languages, and as it is the only foreign language I can speak, you're making that easy!
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word fanfarria
Awesome word for fanfare.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cognado
cognate is a cognate of cognado?
cognado es un cognado de cognate?
That's fun.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vianda
Is there a context where yantar occurs? For example, it English you could say victuals, snacks, grub, etc., each with a specific connotation.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word kraft single
Somewhere in the Andromeda galaxy, probably.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word uranus
You can hardly say that in polite company.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sound byte
It is nonsensical to me, since there is no way you could encode even one second of sound is as little as eight bits.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word uranus
I always try to pronounce this word "yur-in-iss", or "yur-uh-iss", distinctly making sure to avoid the "your-anus" pronunciation which is definitely incorrect.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word blave
And as we as all know, to blave means to bluff.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordtuplets
I would prefer to try and leave at least one comment for every word. If someone links a word and doesn't add it, I will add it and leave some comment. I guess people don't have to add the words if they link to them, I just prefer the case.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word evolution
You can never tell.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word badass
How can you forget Chuck Norris?
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word malmeter
Great definition Sionnach.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word crápula
The English cognate is licentious.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word mojón
The dictionary says this is a milestone, which is pretty disturbing, given my understanding of the word excremento.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word sórdido
English is sordid. Spanish is such an easy language.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vianda
What's the distinction between this and comida?
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word indominable
Well, after checking, isn't really a word, but this is what I thought indomitable was.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word indómito
Also, the English indomitable.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word querubín
Interesting, this is a cognate of cherub, and is the plural. The plural of cherub is the Hebrew form cherubim (see also seraphim), and the Spanish plural is similar to this, different than the normal Spanish.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word amalgama
Essentially the English verb amalgamate.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word malmeter
Does English have a word for this?
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word licenciosa
wanton, lawless, immoral
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word crápula
Hey, you should try to wrap your words in brackets so we can follow the links. I think licenciosa is an excellent word.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word usualmente
I usually don't list Spanish words, but for this one I'll make an exception.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word usually
Probably usualmente
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word smack yourself in the head
Some of us lucked onto Wordie rather early along. We should have a word for those too, not to say we're better, but just that we can't believe how long we've been spending our time here.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word awful
I don't think awful can mean fatal.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pangea
Also, pangaea, is the proper spelling.
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word unusual
What is the "j" doing in that pronunciation? Is in standing for something funny?
October 20, 2007
seanahan commented on the word field of dorkular expertise
I "now" realize that expertise is technically correct, although the version with z has three quarters of a million google hits.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word league of extrawordy gentlemen
In my brain, the crackling fireplace was there in my previous description.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordtuplets
The rule is this: If you link to a word, you should add it. Otherwise, when people try to follow your link, there is no word there, and they won't be able to click on the various dictionary links to see if it is real or madeupical. With a word there and a tag or two, it makes the user experience much nicer.
Plus, you can't "steal" a word if nobody owns it. That's like finding a $5 bill on the ground and leaving it, and then me deciding to pick it up.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word field of dorkular expertise
Since this is the British spelling, I assume it has something to do with Monty Python and Dr. Who.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word narghile
Now I'm picturing the Apple commercial with Wordie up on the screen.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordtuplets
Luckily the bear is chained, because that growling sounds pretty dangerous. Hopefully she's been fed recently.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word radioisotope
The "ioi" is pretty disconcerting when parsing.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word evolution
"Our current theory" implies that there was at some point a previous version, or that in the future there will be a different version. I realize you were making a joke, but I feel the need to point this out, since something like 47% of Americans believe the earth is less than 10,000 years old.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word render
It is neither greasy nor slippery when describing graphics.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the list out-with-the-nouns
drop out, pass out, miss out
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hexadecaroon
Let's set the record straight.
All measures of ancestry are of the form c / 2^n. Therefore, ancestries of 1/12 are impossible. If you go back enough generations, you can asymptotically approach 1/12, but eventually you'll reach apes, and at some point you have to stop.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word existential despair
Compare this to existential angst
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hell
Maybe this world is another planet's hell. - Aldous Huxley
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dork out
To add to the transporters discussion, I never recall anyone teleporting around Earth, only back and forth from orbiting ships. Given shuttles with autopilots, traveling would be fast and stress free without resorting to transporters.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word evolution
It's evolution baby!
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word semicolon
Wait, how is Vonnegut "conventional"? Slaughterhouse Five maybe a commonly read book, but it is completely different than anything I've ever read. Cat's Cradle is even stranger, and probably the funniest book I've ever read.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dork out
This is unacceptable. Troi does not "read minds". She is only half Betazoid, and she is empathic, not telepathic.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word neologotastic
John, can we put that quote on the home page? Except for the NFUWE neologotastic, which should be madeupical, we do have an excellent use of a priori.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word brangelina
After 20 hours, I can't figure it out. Does that mean I'm dumb or does that mean it's not funny?
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nfuwe
A new tag acronym meaning "Nominated For Ugliest Word Ever".
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word facipulator
I'm choosing this word to introduce the tag NFUWE.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word buttoutsky
See buttinsky.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word buttinsky
Is a person who leaves people to their own business to the detriment of others a buttoutsky?
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word league of extrawordy gentlemen
I anticipate it being something like Isaac Asimov's Union Club mysteries. That, or each of us curled up in a big chair with a glass of brandy and one volume of a dictionary.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordtuplets
Hey, I cited the original source. I did not break the commandment. I clicked on the word, and you hadn't added it, like you were supposed to. I had to add it so that it was in the database. So there.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word butinsky
That's a very good question. It differs in the fact that I didn't think it could be spelled like that.
That being said, butt out of my business. :)
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word narghile
If you strike Wordie down, it will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
October 19, 2007
seanahan commented on the word league of extrawordy gentlemen
Those noted luminaries of Wordie, both male and female.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word league of extrawordy gentleman
No, I'm retarded. Adding the correct league of extrawordy gentlemen.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordtuplets
Used to describe a set of list buddies, which typically is used to describe a pair.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word butinsky
As in "but out, butinsky". Google fight decided it should end in a y and not i.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word nosestickinery
See butinsky.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word galore
Let's not even get into the Bond female villain.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vernal
According to Wikipedia, fall came about later, probably due to "fall of the leaves". Vernal is Latin, and I'm not sure at what point "spring" took over.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dork out
I did just leave a comment on ferengi. Also, I was complaining today at lunch that Data made a terrible move against Riker at a poker game from a game theoretic standpoint.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the list the-autobiography-of-seanahan
It has to have a story. Once I "remember" a story involving it, I will add it.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word stabby
Also, this is how I feel when driving my car. Or when watching the news, or when browsing the internet, or ...
Hmm, maybe I have anger management issues.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word superfluous mordant
No, I don't think I will see dung-bath.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word ferengi
This has gone for 4 posts without a reference to Quark, and I find that unacceptable.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word league of extrawordy gentleman
Those noted luminaries of Wordie, both male and female.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordness
The state of having whatever you say or do having the response "Word".
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word list buddies
Those who share a list idea.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word wordness league
Those who are in a state of heightened wordness. Not be to confused with the league of extrawordy gentleman.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word hush puppy
list buddies!
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word weirdness league
Not to be confused with the wordness league
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word stabby
How I feel when see really annoying words.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word brangelina
I like how someone added this so it would exist, but was too ashamed to keep in on their list.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bennifer
My name is a portmanteau, which is acceptable for nicknames, but I dislike the combining of two peoples names, especially since this term was used in meaningless news stories when there had to be better things to report.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chiasmus
I want real pain for my sham friends and champagne for my real friends.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word polyploidy
I remember this one from Biology class. Genetics is full of interesting words.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word dork out
Is this when I relate random things to ST:TNG episodes?
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word l33t sp34k
It took me about 20 seconds to get through it, which scares me.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word pupil
I feel very strongly about this. It is our lot in life to do a little better than those before us. To give our children a little more than our parent gave us. To add a little bit to science and culture, making the whole of humanity a little bit greater for our presence.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word semicolon
I propose Uselessness be banned from Wordie until he at least reads Slaughterhouse Five and Cat's Cradle. It should only take a couple hours.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word haversack
Speaking of calling people with strange questions, I got an unexpected call late one night asking me if I knew anything about the vowels in English changing over time and I launched into a 10 minute explanation of the Great English Vowel Shift.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word underpants gnomes
Step 1: Steal underpants
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word anodyne
Space, the final frontier.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word phlebotinum
also, see MacGuffin
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word phlebotinum
Actually, that's not true. It should be "um" everywhere. The reason things ended in "ium" is that the word that were adapted from ended in "ya".
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word adamantium
see adamantine, a "real" word.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word commenty
Remember, it's about quality, not quantity. Unless you have fewer posts than me, then it is about quantity.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word bennifer
If I never hear this again, I've heard it too much.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word chiasmus
I can't believe nobody has posted this.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
October 18, 2007
seanahan commented on the word boutique
Oh yeah, I forgot about that verse.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word headbanger
Can it be more annoying that the Wikipedia Entry for fish stamps?
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word boutique
I get the song, but I don't get the connection.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word citron
I didn't know France was known for its fruit.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word lithesome
Means the same as lithe.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word shirt
I suggest we use this as a tag for any words where we have a t-shirt suggestion. There are quite a few that need to be tagged from the merch page. This will allow us to use this list to transfer the suggestions to Cafe Press.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word utilikilt
You should only be ashamed if you own one.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word phthalate
So, the ph is silent?
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word vetivert
This is the oil derived from the vetiver.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word xmas
In the year 3000, XMas has replaced Christmas entirely.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word epirot
I can't find this definition anywhere.
October 17, 2007
seanahan commented on the word slinkyba
Hmm, I guess I should have been more careful about my use of "invented". I invented the word itself, not the device. I'm not sure it is physically possible to combine the roomba with a slinky and have it functionally travel down stairs.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word speakerphone
There's a great Upright Citizen's Brigade episode where the phone system is malfunctioning in an office, and a guy is accidentally on speakerphone.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word slinkyba
A roomba with a slinky that goes down stairs. I invented this over a year ago, but apparently others have had the idea.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word enlightenment
Oh come on, that's just nonsense.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word malicious afterthought
This perfectly describes my weekend. I went around on my normal midget beating rounds, and I could find any. Finally, I found someone who was a bit taller than a normal dwarf, and might have just been a short normal person. I debated for a while, but the fact he was carrying a purse settled matters for me. So, I'm standing there, beating the crap out of this guy, and the cops come up. I start to freak out, but keep my cool. I back up from the guy, and the police pick him up and handcuff him. A woman comes over and hugs me, saying, "You caught the guy who stole my purse". Needless to say, this was a prime example of the malicious afterthought with which I lead my life. The hug was the sum total of my reward. I can't help but thinking if the man had been 6 inches taller, she might have rewarded me, but then again, I wouldn't have stopped to beat him.
Excerpt from the Autobiography of Seanahan
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word cilia
I really wanted to leave a snarky comment when I saw the first post, but you guys seem to have handled it pretty nicely.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word plutolater
I realize, we should always use this to refer to people who refuse to accept that Pluto has been demoted.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word plutolater
This sounds like idolater, I like it.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word jackglassery
This is to describe the behavior by those who don't know that people can see their jackassery.
October 16, 2007
seanahan commented on the word earworm
There used to be an earworm playing here. I think it was removed.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word one-way mirror
see two-way mirror for some reason.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word two-way mirror
see one-way mirror for some reason.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word glassanine
That's brilliant! It could also be used to describe behavior around a two-way mirror.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word glassanine
What I thought when I saw glassine. I'm not even sure what this means. Some kind of silly portmanteau.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word glassine
For a second I thought this was glassanine.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word features
One feature that is nice is "posts since my last visit", sorted by word. Perhaps other standard methods of searching, such as, "Words commented in the last day", etc., would be easier to do in short run, since that wouldn't be user dependent.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word planet
Of course. comet actually comes from the Greek for long-haired star, so they were considered more like stars than planets, although it makes much more sense to think of them as planets, since they orbit the sun.
October 15, 2007
seanahan commented on the word planet
This makes a lot of sense. Besides the sun and the moon, the planets are the only heavenly bodies which don't follow progress through the ecliptic.
October 14, 2007
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