Unusual, esoteric, preposterous words

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#3908 - 07/03/00 02:49 PM Unusual, esoteric, preposterous words
Wordsmith member Registered: 03/12/00 Posts: 121	Once in a while AWAD delivery gets delayed and messages start pouring in my mailbox complaining of withdrawal symptoms. "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind," these words of British writer Joseph Rudyard Kipling might help explain why many of us get so hooked on words. As time passes we experience symptoms of mithridatism, the condition of immunity acquired by taking gradually increased doses of something. Slowly they take over our lives and we realize we need words with even larger potency, words that are unusual, esoteric, or even preposterous, to get the same high. Are you one of those for whom the dictionary might be better characterized as addictionary? Help is near. Consider this week as an extra high dose of the fix.
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#3909 - 07/03/00 04:10 PM Re: Unusual, esoteric, preposterous words
Jackie Carpal Tunnel Registered: 03/15/00 Posts: 11582 Loc: Louisville, Kentucky	>>Once in a while AWAD delivery gets delayed and messages start pouring in my mailbox complaining of withdrawal symptoms.<< Isn't this gratifying? Thank you, A., for doing this. >>mithridatism<< I'd not heard that one before! Will say that Gurunet specifies a poison. Not sure I agree that all words are poisonous, by any means! I understand, though. >>the dictionary might be better characterized as addictionary<< Oh! This is perfect! Anu, I love you!
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#3910 - 07/04/00 07:28 AM Re: horripilation
paulb addict Registered: 03/17/00 Posts: 460 Loc: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia	Great word, but what's the word for the prickling of hairs at the back of your head when Judy starts to sing "Over the rainbow" in The Wizard of Oz and (in my case) when a Wurlitzer theatre organ fires up with a mighty fanfare (we're lucky enough to have one in Hobart with regular public concerts).
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#3911 - 07/04/00 11:01 AM Re: Unusual, esoteric, preposterous words
tsuwm Carpal Tunnel Registered: 04/03/00 Posts: 10472 Loc: this too shall pass	re: mithridatism Anu uses this word in a figurative sense -- this is another way in which the language grows, by broadening. BTW, this week's theme (and words) makes me think that Anu actually pays some attention to his wwftd subscription.
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#3912 - 07/04/00 11:08 AM Re: horripilation
tsuwm Carpal Tunnel Registered: 04/03/00 Posts: 10472 Loc: this too shall pass	...and the meaning of horripilation has broadened to include goose flesh. I know of no other word which applies to the prickling of hairs or goose bumps (caused by erection of the papillae).
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