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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
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Just in case anyone is wondering how "zinzulation" found its way into this thread. I had a message entitled "oonomatopoieae" - which said
"Hello, jmh - zinzulation is a word I've been told about, but never found in a dictionary. Apparently, it means the plangent sound made by a metal blade such as that of a buzz saw. Have you seen it anywhere?"
I wasn't sure if it was real so I asked a few fellow a-word-a-dayers for advice. I had quite a few good responses (for which I am very grateful) and managed to formulate a reply, mainly based on a message from twusm. He managed to turn up a reference to the word - I'll let him post his answer if he wishes. I think Jeff's reply is very useful for anyone needing to check out an obscure word.
Sorry to take you off the main subject with this message.
JMH
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
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>based on a message from twusm
"twusm"?? what kind of twisted name is twoooosum?!
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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twusm"?? what kind of twisted name is twoooosum?!
It's somewhere between an "affectionate diminutive" (but not really diminutive enough for that) and a "malapropism". It would need two word for a "spoonerism", so I'll just stick with "bloomer".
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
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Still off the subject - for anyone who is interested:
re: zinzulation - Here's the reply from tuswm (anagram of tsuwm)
I have one hit on a web search, from an Aussie newsletter:
We hope around Schofields there will be the zinzulation (7) of old aeroplanes, and the first should start to inhabit the place during September at the weekends. There will be the usual bavardage (does he mean badinage? - ed.) regarding "spam cans" etc. but we hope it will be put into the
category of "the colourful pageant of life".
...
7. echoic for the sound of power saws
---
I have no clue as to whether the author or the editor provided the footnoted definition, but I have found bavardage in my W3, which the editor could not verify.
p.p.s. - bavardage means smalltalk or chitchat. another wwftd, tra la!!
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,613 |
"twoooo-some" sounds toothsome to me! I think you're sweet!
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 315 |
Something funny - even not polite - happened when I put on a wall of my University (Department of Mathematics) the AWAD-quotation
Arithmetic is being able to count up to twenty without taking off your shoes.
Mickey Mouse
An anonimous student added the following
...or to twenty-one without taking off your slip.
Minnie
(In Italy Mickey Mouse is "Topolino" (= small mouse) and Minnie his girl friend)
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