I had never seen this word in writing before, except in German class. Then, one day, trying to write about someone who had given a spiel, I looked it up and could not believe they were spelled exactly the same way. I will always feel odd using this word now.
Ah, so it is - and a much-enjoyed word, indeed! Thank you for pointing this out! I don't know why I didn't think to search for it. I suppose I was caught-up.
Hmmm... Perhaps I should simply change it to "bescumber"? Do you think anyone will mind if I leave it in adjective form for the purposes of this list?
Sorry, I decided to add words first and go through them to add definitions and what have you later on. I'm working on it.
To bescumber someone is to spray them with poo. I decided to list it in the past tense on the grounds that no one reading it is very likely to bescumber anyone else, but that some might enjoy using it as an insult (including myself, should I ever find an opponent worthy of such an exchange). I think calling someone a "bescumbered bufflehead" would be an awesome thing.
Some other sources describe the glaistig as being more like some demented faun, having the head and torso of a fairy, the lower body of a goat, and a certain bloodlust.
The most complete definition I've managed to find, however, is on reference.com, which explains that the glaistig comes from Scottish mythology and that its shape and intentions vary from story to story.
"The drunkest of Hrothgar's thanes come reeling and clanking down from their wall-hung beds, all shouting their meady, outrageous boasts, their heavy swords aswirl like eagles' wings. 'Woe, woe, woe!" cries Hrothgar, hoary with winters, peeking in, wide-eyed from his bedroom in back."
Comments by silas
silas commented on the word spiel
German
das Spiel (n.) - a game; backlash
spielen (v.) - to play
I had never seen this word in writing before, except in German class. Then, one day, trying to write about someone who had given a spiel, I looked it up and could not believe they were spelled exactly the same way. I will always feel odd using this word now.
September 19, 2009
silas commented on the list insults-to-confuse-enemies
Ah, so it is - and a much-enjoyed word, indeed! Thank you for pointing this out! I don't know why I didn't think to search for it. I suppose I was caught-up.
Hmmm... Perhaps I should simply change it to "bescumber"? Do you think anyone will mind if I leave it in adjective form for the purposes of this list?
September 19, 2009
silas commented on the list insults-to-confuse-enemies
Sorry, I decided to add words first and go through them to add definitions and what have you later on. I'm working on it.
To bescumber someone is to spray them with poo. I decided to list it in the past tense on the grounds that no one reading it is very likely to bescumber anyone else, but that some might enjoy using it as an insult (including myself, should I ever find an opponent worthy of such an exchange). I think calling someone a "bescumbered bufflehead" would be an awesome thing.
Glad you guys like the list so far.
Interesting about the Japanese...
September 19, 2009
silas commented on the word gamp
An umbrella. (From a large umbrella belonging to a character by the name of Gamp in Dickins' novel, Martin Chuzzlewit.)
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gamp
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gamp
http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word gangrel
"A child who is just starting to walk." (Obs.)
http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html
(1) A wandering beggar; a drifter.
(2) A lanky, loose-jointed person.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gangrels
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word glaistig
Of all the definitions I have read for various words... this one is, by far, my favourite:
"Glaistig - Gaelic for beautiful fairy or, just the opposite, a hag in the shape of a goat."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
I laugh every time.
Some other sources describe the glaistig as being more like some demented faun, having the head and torso of a fairy, the lower body of a goat, and a certain bloodlust.
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/scotland/folklore/the-glaistig.html
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-glaistig.html
The most complete definition I've managed to find, however, is on reference.com, which explains that the glaistig comes from Scottish mythology and that its shape and intentions vary from story to story.
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Glaistig
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word gleed
(Archaic)
"A glowing coal; an ember."
~ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gleed ~
"A live coal. Can also mean a beam of light."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word gradgrind
"One who is interested only in the cold, hard facts."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word graminivorous
"Feeding or subsisting on grass."
~ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/graminivorous ~
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word hodmandod
"A strange person; a scarecrow."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
Syn. - Dodman
A snail; a snail shell; any shellfish which casts its shell (e.g. the lobster).
~ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Dodman ~
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word lopeholt
"A place that's safe; a refuge"
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 18, 2009
silas commented on the word malist
"Someone who feels that this world is just bad, not the worst or most terrible place but, nevertheless, still pretty bad."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
A pessimist.
Also: malism (n.) - the belief that the world is evil.
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word musophobist
"A person who doesn't like poetry and is suspicious of it."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word nychthemeron
"A full period of day and night; 24 hours."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word pandiculation
"The stretching of one's body that often accompanies yawning."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word rawky
"Foggy, damp, and cold."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word rhinarium
"The hairless and moist nose of some mammals."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word satisdiction
"Saying enough."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word scofflaw
"Someone who contemptuously breaks the law, especially a law that is difficult to enforce."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word slangrel
"A long, lean thing or person."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word slidikins!
"By God's eyelids!"
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word youf
"A bark that is muffled."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word surfle
"A face wash or cosmetic." (obs.)
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word thwarterous
Twisted or gnarled.
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word troke
"To fail; to be unable to do something; to deceive."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
A castle checkers game copyrighted 1956 by Production Marketing Co.
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word trypall
"A tall, lanky, slovenly person."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word vagarious
"Erratic or unpredictable in behavior or direction."
~ http://www.brownielocks.com/words.html ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word yesternight
HORATIO: I saw him once; he was a goodly king.
HAMLET: He was a man, take him for all in all: I shall not look upon his like again.
HORATIO: My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.
HAMLET: Saw who?
HORATIO: My lord, the king your father.
~ Hamlet/Shakespeare ~
September 17, 2009
silas commented on the word hoary
"The drunkest of Hrothgar's thanes come reeling and clanking down from their wall-hung beds, all shouting their meady, outrageous boasts, their heavy swords aswirl like eagles' wings. 'Woe, woe, woe!" cries Hrothgar, hoary with winters, peeking in, wide-eyed from his bedroom in back."
~ Grendel/John Gardner/1971 ~
September 17, 2009