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acnestis
daymare
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spurtle

spurtle
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A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

spurtle

PRONUNCIATION:
(SPUR-tl)

MEANING:
noun: A wooden stick for stirring porridge.

ETYMOLOGY:
Of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin spatula, or from sprit (a pole to extend a sail on a ship).

NOTES:
There's a word for everything. And there's a contest for everything. There is one for making porridge, grandly named, The Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship, held annually in Scotland.

USAGE:
"I know hardly anyone who eats anything much in the morning. ... No one yet has owned up to stirring porridge with a spurtle, pouring milk over blocks of desiccated wheat, or even blasting a banana to a pulp in the blender.
Nigel Slater; Oat Cuisine; The Observer (London, UK); May 19, 2002.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Understand this, I mean to arrive at the truth. The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it. -Agatha Christie, author (1890-1976)

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