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Nov 8, 2026
This week’s themeWords to describe people This week’s words pseudologue adventurist chicaner slangwhanger clodpate How popular are they? Relative usage over time AWADmail archives Index Next week’s theme Tosspot words Wordsmith Games
AWADmail Issue 1271A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and Language
Email of the Week -- Brought to you by ONEUPMANSHIP®
From: Cindy Watter (hedgehogccw gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--pseudologue I love it! We have a pseudologue running for Congress in my district. I called him mendacious in a letter to the editor, but this is even better. Cindy Watter, Napa, California From: Eric F Plumlee (ericfplumlee hotmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--chicaner I learned today’s word through the German word Schikaneur, meaning a bully or harasser. Schikane means harassment or bullying. It is also used to describe poor treatment in a situation, say, because of a company’s strict or limited customer service policy or the government’s bureaucracy. Eric Plumlee, Niederlenz, Switzerland From: Marybeth Webster (marybwebs gmail.com) Subject: Clodpate Now I have a word for nursing-home directors. “Clodpate” fits all sizes. I’ve dealt with several, and they all think we elders are clodpates and treat us accordingly. Marybeth Webster, Grants Pass, Oregon From: Rishi Ganti (rishik12 gmail.com) Subject: Well, obviously Well, obviously, A.Word.A.Day must be written by an engineer because, by this point, it has everything built in: erudition, philosophy, art, history, and even humor in a bite-sized package that meshes perfectly. I’m struggling to think of anything else so comprehensively perfect, day after day. Taco Bell? Rishi Ganti, Honolulu, Hawaii From: Alex McCrae (ajmccrae277 gmail.com) Subject: adventurist and slangwhanger  
Anagrams 
Limericks pseudologue That pseudologue causes much grief, Since he’s our commander-in-chief. Whenever he’s quoted His lies all are noted, Their number defying belief. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) You know Arthur? That darn pseudologue? He’s got all the girls simply agog! He’s told them some lies -- I mean, where do these guys Get their lines? Is there some catalog? -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) “Though DC is a swamp,” said the pseudologue, “I don’t mind, for I’m happy to loot a bog. And with help from my friend, Real elections I’ll end; In the Russian machine, I’m a Putin cog.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) adventurist The adventurist started a war, Which American people deplore. It doesn’t seem right, There’s no end in sight, And we ask, “What the hell is it for?” -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) “Zees art makes you quite zee adventurist!” Said the dealer. “Ze word ees Impressionist,” Monet answered. “My price You must pay, or no dice; Eef you’re interested, call my receptionist.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) chicaner The man’s a chicaner, it seems, And some have succumbed to his schemes. With each deal he pitches, Himself he enriches, Fulfilling his gold-plated dreams. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) I had an old aunt name of Hetty, Who always would dwell on things petty. A constant complainer And nonstop chicaner, She drove away my uncle Eddie. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) It’s clear Donald Trump’s a chicaner. He cheats and he grifts, a no-brainer. He’s a con man and fraud, And should be outlawed. His duplicity couldn’t be plainer. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “Down East,” said the old-timey Mainer, “We view Trump as a New York chicaner. ‘Tain’t us who been pavin’ The road to his ravin’; Ayuh, we’d like somebody saner.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) slangwhanger The slangwhanger’s language is crude, The comments he makes, oh so rude! When he disses his foes, Then his nastiness shows -- How awful the insults he’s spewed! -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Our numero uno slangwhanger Is no more than a wealthy gangbanger. When a woman reporter Shows Donald no quarter, He says with no guilt or pang, “Hang her!” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) clodpate Trump was screened for dementia, you see, But an arrogant clodpate is he: “On that cognitive test, I scored high -- I’m the best! And this proves that I’m bright as can be.” -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) “The app set me up on an odd date; He was handsome and buff, but a clodpate,” The girl sighed. “My IQ Means that dummies won’t do, But I fear that I’m now -- omigod -- late!” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Puns When the lumberjack mistakenly felled a tree onto a house, the homeowner exclaimed, “I’m going to pseudologue-er for damages!” -Jim Ertner, Greensboro, North Carolina (jde31459 gmail.com) Tom’s cabin in the woods was made from faux materials. He called it his pseudologue house. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) Q: What do you call a sightseer at a place that has exhibits commemorating the four weeks before Christmas? A: An Adventurist. -Jim Ertner, Greensboro, North Carolina (jde31459 gmail.com) “During Adventurist could get sore from hanging too many decorations and ornaments,” warned Your Guide to a Safe and Healthy Christmas. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) The trip to Turkey was advertised as Adventurist-anbul. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “The strict old abbess has caught one of her novices with the priest. Will chicaner?” asked the host of the reality show “Nuns”. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Helen called her new Michigan Ave store featuring rattan and wicker furnishings Chicaner-y. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “We purtended it wuhdn’t racial. There wuz all kinda b.s. we slangwhanger-rymanderin’,” said the Southern politician defeatedly. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “Mon Dieu! You utter clodpate de foie gras eezn’t how eet’s pronounced!” the Michelin chef scolded the American tourist. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Your voice dries up if you don’t use it. -Patti Page, singer (8 Nov 1927-2013)
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