|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
Han Solo would be pleased, I'm sure.
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
May 6, 2013
This week's theme
Terms that appear offensive but aren't
This week's words: queer street
-----------------------------------------------------
A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg
Language is meant to communicate and offending someone is also a way to communicate, though not a very nice one. There are plenty of offensive words in a language, any language, and this week's words may appear offensive, but aren't.
They may sound, look, or feel like they have something to do with well-known distasteful words, but they don't. This similarity may cause some to take offense if the words are used in conversation. So should they be?
A dictionary meaning of a word tells only so much. A word in a dictionary is inert. It comes alive only when we use it and give it real meaning. A word can take multiple meanings depending on the speaker, listener, tone, and the context.
Take an everyday word like boy, for example. An adult man wouldn't think twice about his mother calling him a boy. But chances are he'd resent a store clerk or his boss, even an older boss, calling him thus. And that may also explain to folks who wonder, for example, why blacks use the N-word amongst themselves, yet are offended if people outside their community say it.
One might say: Words don't offend people, people offend people.
So should you use this week's terms? Technically, these are perfectly agreeable words, but technically is not how life works. It all depends on the context. For example, I'd avoid using the term queer street if I knew the person I was speaking to was gay.
What do you think? I invite you to discuss this in our online forum Wordsmith Talk.
Even though words featured this week are not offensive, email filters are not smart enough to understand that. It's possible that the filter at your organization tries to protect you from looking at this week's emails. If you find any missing emails, you can view them online.
queer street
PRONUNCIATION:(kweer street)
MEANING:noun: A state of hardship, especially financial hardship.
ETYMOLOGY:
The origin of the term is not clear. Carey Street, site of the bankruptcy court in London, has been proposed, but the court came decades after the term. It's also been suggested that traders put a query mark against customers suspected of having financial difficulties. Earliest documented use: 1811.
USAGE:
"Mike Bessey said: You can't really make a case that UK farmers are on queer street as a whole -- on average they are surviving and starting modest investment."
Caroline Stocks; £25m Aid Won't Help Struggling UK Dairy Farmers; Farmers Weekly (UK); Jan 22, 2010.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
What a strange illusion it is to suppose that beauty is goodness.
______________________________________Leo Tolstoy
_______________________________________________________
minus S
QUEER TREET (alt. sp.) queer treat, ex: bacon flavored ice cream
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
QUEEN TREAT Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
QUEER STREPT - This bug I isolated from my sore throat patient defies classification!
QUEEG STREET - runs off Caine Street, branches into Ball Street and Strawberry Ice Cream Lane. Noted for the homes of Humphrey Bogart, José Ferrer, Van Johnson, and Fred MacMurray, among others.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
Two great ones, wolf. But not me, brother. I don't want to go down Queeg Street 'cause there ain't no comming back. Damn drunk lawyer. . . 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
niggler
PRONUNCIATION:
(NIG-luhr)
MEANING:
noun:
1. A person who pays excessive attention to petty details.
2. A person who criticizes constantly or repeatedly.
ETYMOLOGY:
Origin unknown, perhaps of Scandinavian origin. Earliest documented use: 1781.
__________________________________
n --> w
WIGGLER - a corrupt political upon whom blame no one can pin.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
NOGGLER - a person who overdoes the Christmas quaffing
HIGGLER - one who proclaims the Coming of the God particle
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
tar baby
PRONUNCIATION: (TAHR bay-bee)
MEANING: noun: Something to be avoided: a sticky situation or problem from which it's almost impossible to get out.
ETYMOLOGY: After "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby",
How 'bout I do a different algorithm this time. Say, Spoonerize it:
BAR TABBY - keeps the mice out of the saloon
(Y'all all go right ahead and use the standard add-subtract-change routine if you like. Don't let me stop you.)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
Ok wolf, you got me. I left Slasher's Bar last night without paying the tabby but you doesn't have to post it here for the whole world to see. add S minus B STAR ABY - the price one must pay for being a rich and famous and beautiful person.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
CAR GABBY - back seat driver
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
Good one, Luke.
cockshy
PRONUNCIATION: KOK-shy)
MEANING: noun:
1. The game of throwing missiles at a target; such a throw.
2. An object of criticism or ridicule.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Old English cocc (rooster) + shy (to throw), of uncertain origin. Earliest documented use: 1836.
______________________________________________________
Y --> E
COCKSHE - a freemartin
i.e. a non-fertile female calf (heifer) born as a twin with a male (bull} but with a bull's manner and mindset.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
BOCKSHY - an edible Chinese cabbage
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
Thanks JJ.
SOCK TIE a gimmick I discovered in college, in the
Laundry, after forever losing one sock.
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
niggard
PRONUNCIATION: (NIG-hurd)
MEANING: noun: A mean, stingy person.
adjective: Stingy.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Middle English nigard, of Scandinavian origin. Earliest documented use: 1384.
______________________________________________________
N --> B
BIGGARD:
1. a kind, generous person
2. a bigot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
PIGGARD - Captain of the Starship Penterprise
NITGARD - a sorry excuse for a bug repellant, offers lousy protection
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
RITGARD--competing, poor excuse for deodorant
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
...in a sconce, of course.
ENSCONCE
PRONUNCIATION:
(en-SKONS)
MEANING:
verb tr.:
1. To settle firmly and comfortably.
2. To hide securely.
ENSCONE - to wrap a filing in a small sourdough wafer for serving at tea-time; cf. cannoli
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
ENSCONCE
add D
ENDSCONCE - to come out from hiding in a...
add P
DENSCONCE - a small hiding sconce
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
equivocate
PRONUNCIATION:
(i-KWIV-uh-kayt)
MEANING:
verb intr.: To be vague or ambiguous, especially in order to mislead.
EQUUVOCATE - script for Mr Ed's next speech
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
eguivocate
C to G
EQUIVOGATE- to mumble lies to blame other people for your own wrongdoings, such as, beating down a Bush.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg
petrify
PRONUNCIATION:(PE-tri-fy)
MEANING:
verb tr.:
1. To turn into stone.
2. To harden or deaden.
3. To stun or paralyze with fear.
verb intr.:
To become stony or callous.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin petra (rock), from Greek petra (cliff, rock). Ultimately from the Indo-European root per- (to lead, pass over), which also gave us support, comport, petroleum, sport, passport, petrichor (the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain), colporteur (a peddler of religious books), Swedish fartlek (a training technique), Norwegian fjord (bay), and Sanskrit parvat (mountain). Earliest documented use: 1425.
____________________________________________________
add I
petri-FYI (see ETYMOLOGY above)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
EQUUROCATE Running a horse in a circular pen for hours
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
PESTRIFY - to bring ants and termites, rats and mice, and other annoyances, into a hitherto pristine neighborhood. Cf. "gentrify"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
pectrify - lots of upper body work
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
impute
PRONUNCIATION:(im-PYOOT)
MEANING:
verb tr.: To attribute, ascribe, or credit, often unfairly.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Old French imputer, from Latin imputare, from in- (in) + putare (to assess, reckon). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pau- (to cut, stroke, or stamp), which is also the source of amputate, compute, dispute, count, pavid, puerile, and catchpole. Earliest documented use: 1480.
________________________________________
add R
IMPUTER - a smartass computer that thinks that it invented itself.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
IMCUTE - a cheap imitation fuzzy Nerml doll (see Garfield comic strip)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 963
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 963 |
impate: to do or to get a hair transplant.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
drop e
IMPUT - see imput.
see largely as an imp, nee Obama
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Are you going to make sense one of these days, Jenny Jenny?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
IMPUTER - a smartass computer that thinks that it invented itself.JJ quote
Like Al Gore? Didn't he invent the Internet?
JIMPUTER - if Capt. Kirk could run the thing without Spock.
Last edited by LukeJavan8; 05/17/2013 4:10 PM.
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
drop e
IMPUT - see imput.
see largely as an imp, nee Obama Hee,hee,hee
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
exscind
PRONUNCIATION: (ek-SIND)
MEANING:
verb tr.: To cut out or off.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin exscindere, from ex- (out) + scindere (to cut). Ultimately from the Indo-European root skei- (to cut or split), which also gave us excise, schism, ski, shin, scienter, and adscititious. Earliest documented use: 1662.
____________________________________________
i --> e
EXSCEND - a volcanic upsurge solidified after cooling.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
TEXSEND-- a "bon voyage" of ginormous, humongous proportion
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
EXSPEND - all you can do after a really painful divorce decree
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
vesuvian
PRONUNCIATION:(vi-SOO-vee-uhn)
MEANING: adjective: Marked by sudden explosive outbursts.
ETYMOLOGY: After Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum when it erupted in 79 CE. Earliest documented use: 1673.
________________________________________
V ---> X
EXSUVIAN - what SUV owners became after gas went up to four bucks a gallon.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
VEAUVIAN' - veal chops, served in a French restaurant after a bit too much vin
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
PARNASSIAN
PRONUNCIATION: (pahr-NAS-ee-uhn)
MEANING: adjective: Of or relating to poetry.
ETYMOLOGY: After Mount Parnassus, a mountain in Greece, considered sacred to Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry, and the Muses. Earliest documented use: 1565.
PORNASSIAN -- Not a leg man, or even a breast man
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
CORNASSIAN Cousins to the Kardassians, these live
in Iowa, the Corn State.
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
JARNASSIAN - an ode to a jar
I placed a jar in Tennessee,
And round it was, upon a hill.
It made the slovenly wilderness
Surround that hill.
The wilderness rose up to it,
And sprawled around, no longer wild.
The jar was round upon the ground
And tall and of a port in air.
It took dominion everywhere.
The jar was gray and bare.
It did not give of bird or bush,
Like nothing else in Tennessee.
________________________________ Wallace Stevens
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25
newbie
|
|
newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25 |
Chuckle- chortle - guffaw. This made me laugh!
|
|
|
|
|
