I sure didn't...


"This week's theme: Yours to discover.
Why did I select these words (anthropomorphize, kafkaesque, excursive, dysphagia and jabberwocky) this week? If you know the answer, email it to (puzzle at wordsmith.org). One answer per person, please. The first reader to uncover the plot will receive an autographed copy of my new book "The Dord, the Diglot, and an Avocado or Two: The Hidden Lives and Strange Origins of Common and Not-So-Common Words". So will another reader randomly selected from all the correct answers."

Ha!I was wondering if someone would bring it up. It is quite a mystery. I only have vague ideas about the surrealistic and caricatural aspect or connection that is contained in all the words. I see no formal connection. (but I'm the worst in riddles)

I would like to know if anyone has a more defined idea about the words. Not for the win , but for the grin.

here's a huge hint:
as is Anu's wont, it's got nothing to do with Function,
and everything to do with Fit and Form.

-joe (it's pretty obvious, now we seen every one) friday

OK, Joe Ron O,

Did you submit your answer to win the grand prize? I'm still at a loss, even with your "helpful" clues...

I just sent it before posting herein, not having given it any thought pretofore, so I'm sure I'm much too.. not soon enough.


-joe (season's greetings) friday

One man's obvious is another man's WTF.

I sent in a guess as soon as I saw Monday's word (I want that prize!): human tendencies. But since it is now Saturday and I haven't gotten my award notice (heh) I guess that wasn't it.

Maybe Anu's human tendencies will be so inclined that he will give you the random prize by cheating a little on the lottery part. (just for this once?)

Ooh, yes! Cheat, Anu, cheat! I'm sure nobody will mind...

so there were only 50 correct entries -- I just don't have any luck at lottery drawings, which is why I save my money when the jackpots get big.

give me games of skill, like poker.

-joe (said with a straight face) friday

Wait! How about if I use all the meanings of these in a short sentence?

In Iowa this week slimy politicians pretended their humanity (anthropomorphizing) by way of the mindless ramblings (excursives) of surrealistic (Kaufanique) nonsense (jabberwocky) of which the unslimy Iowaians wouldn't or couldn't swallow (dysphagia).

No?

Well then, how about a Christmas Carrol?

a nonsense poem
a language disorder
a rambling speach
a surreal distortion of language
And lastly, the ascription of human traits to a Jabberwock.

Huh?

Oh well, I just don't know and damnit I give up.

okay, before you give up and read the newsletter, try analyzing letter frequency...

Damnation tsuwm, you think me a fool? I have already done that.

Oh well, you think me a fool so I'll redo what I have already done, but be warned, this time I am not completely sober.

Ok, let's see, there are three "o"s in anthrophmorphic...right?

Oh, to hell with you and Anu I'm going to bed...good damn night!

Which indicates that you got it right, no?
I'm a total loss at easy riddles, so leave off those tougher ones.

>Which indicates that you it right, no?

I got it right, yes.

review my first hints and you can see that I scupulously.. carefully avoided using that.. character.

-joe (no-el) friday

Well, next time when you have sent in your correct answer to try and be the first, you can multiply your chances in the lottery by sending the outcome to us (if others agree too) by PM. Against a small bribe the loot will still be yours.

What got me in a knot was that one person quoted as not having got it did get it but worded his entry in too coy a manner.

Life ain't fair.
This time I get the right answer but I don't get no dern book.

.

Talk of special finds: John Donne, new to me! Sites about him lead back to the luminarium site. Really need a second lifetime to explore all this.

Your la-di-la-di-la riddle is wasted on the likes of me.But thanks for the new 17th cent.metaphysical poets.

John Donne

I got a durn book, Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis, from ma belle mere.

Dear Faldage, can I have your book since I didn't get a book from that cheap Anu?