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DISNEYFY
PRONUNCIATION: (DIZ-ni-fy)
MEANING: verb tr.:
1. To sanitize, romanticize, or simplify something to make it more palatable for mass consumption.
2. To turn something of historical or cultural importance into trivial entertainment.
ETYMOLOGY: After The Walt Disney Company, founded by Walt Disney (1901-1966), known for its films and theme parks. Many popular fairy tales shown in Disney films actually have much grimmer stories. Earliest documented use: 1965. See also, Mickey Mouse.
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DISNEYFEY - Tinkerbell
DISNEYFI - after Disneyfee but before Disneyfo
EISNEYFY - to prepare the company for its next leader
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MACADAMIZE
PRONUNCIATION: (muh-KAD-uh-myz)
MEANING: verb tr.: To construct or pave a road with small, broken stones bound with asphalt or tar.
ETYMOLOGY: After John Loudon McAdam (1756-1836), civil engineer, who pioneered this method of building a road. Earliest documented use: 1823. McAdam also appears in the word tarmac. The word was originally a trademark, coined by combining tar + McAdam.
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ACADAMIZE - to convert to an institution of higher learning
MAC AD AMAZE - that latest Apple computer promotion is astonishing
MACADAMIAE - nut trees native to Australia, with a high fat content and extremely hard shells
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LEGIONNAIRE
PRONUNCIATION: (lee-juh-NAYR)
MEANING: noun: A member of a legion (a group of soldiers or former soldiers).
NOTES: Originally, a legion was the basic unit of the ancient Roman army, typically about 5000 soldiers. Today, the word is used in a number of senses. It can refer to any large military force. Various veterans’ organizations call themselves legions, such as the American Legion or The Royal British Legion. Finally, a legion can mean a multitude, a very large number of people, things, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin legere (to gather). Ultimately from the Indo-European root leg- (to collect), which also gave us lexicon, lesson, lecture, legible, legal, select, cull florilegium (anthology), subintelligitur (something that is not stated but understood), prolegomenon (an introduction to a text), lignify (to turn into wood), and lection (a version of a text in a particular edition). Earliest documented use: 1595.
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LEGION NAIVE - babes in arms
LEG: IONIA IRE - miniskirt in ancient Greece evokes anger
LEGION NACRE - the jewel of the army
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MORIBUND
PRONUNCIATION: (MOR-uh-buhnd)
MEANING: adjective:
1. Nearing death.
2. Stagnant; lacking vigor or vitality.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin moribundus (dying), from mori (to die). Ultimately from the Indo-European root mer- (to rub away or to harm), which also gave us morse, mordant, amaranth, morbid, mortal, mortgage, nightmare, premorse, morbidezza, ambrosia, and amaranthine. Earliest documented use: 1721.
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MORI-BOUND - headed toward a village in Chine (or Italy)
MAORI BUND - a German organization whose members are native New Zealanders
MOORIBUND - King Lear isn't long for this world
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CARNY / CARNEY / CARNIE
MEANING: noun:
1. A person who works in a carnival.
2. A carnival: a traveling amusement show.
3. The jargon used by carnival workers.
ETYMOLOGY: Short for carnival, from Italian carnevale, from carnelevare (removal of meat), from carne (flesh) + levare (to remove or lift). A carnival is named so because it was a period of merrymaking before Lent (a season of fasting and penitence before Easter). Earliest documented use: 1931.
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Art CARNEY - the entertainer
CARRIE Fisher - the entertainer
James CAGNEY - the entertainer
Arnold Palmer, a.k.a. ARNIE - the entertainer
Mariah CAREY - the entertainer
Jim CARREY - the entertainer
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NANNY STATE
PRONUNCIATION: (NAN-ee stayt)
MEANING: noun: A government regarded as having an excessive interest in the welfare of its citizens, as evidenced by public health measures, safety regulations, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: From nanny (a child’s caregiver), of baby-talk origin, perhaps a pet form of the name Anne + state, from Old French estat, from Latin status (stature). Earliest documented use: 1965.
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NANNOSTATE - Rhode Island
NANNY STAT - one out of 1,500 children has a governess
NANCY STATE - I'm not sure about that, but Sluggo grew up as an orphan in the town of Three Rocks, wherever that is
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INVEIGLE
PRONUNCIATION: (in-VAY-guhl, -VEE-)
MEANING: verb tr.: To get something or to persuade someone to do something by deception or flattery.
ETYMOLOGY: From Old French aveugle (blind), from Latin ab- (away from) + oculus (eye). Earliest documented use: 1513.
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IN VEHIGLE - riding in the gar / bus / van
IN VEILLE - (French) during the evening before a notable event
INVEILE - to conceal a woman's face behind a thin translucent cloth
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HERMAPHRODITE
PRONUNCIATION: (huhr-MAH-fruh-dyt)
MEANING: noun: 1. An animal or plant having both male and female reproductive organs.
2. Someone or something having opposite qualities or characteristics.
adjective: 1. Having both male and female reproductive organs.
2. Having opposite qualities or characteristics.
ETYMOLOGY: After Hermaphroditus, a blend of Hermes + Aphroditus. Hermaphroditus was the son of Hermes (who also gave us hermeneutic and hermetic) and Aphrodite (who gave us aphrodisiac). Earliest documented use: 1400.
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HERAPHRODITE - another portmanteau word - Paris couldn't make up his mind who was the fairest (but in any case it wasn't Athena)
HARM APHRODITE - Couldn't happen. She was a Goddess, y'know.
HER MAP: HERODITE - Her chart of all the King's construction projects in Judea was from around the time of the birth of Christ
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MEEPLE
PRONUNCIATION: (MEE-puhl)
MEANING: noun: A game piece shaped in a stylized human form.
ETYMOLOGY: A blend of my + people or mini + people. Earliest documented use: early 21st century.
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SMEEPLE - a humanoid piece from the game "Peter Pan"
MERPLE - aquatic humanoids; only Dumbledore could speak their language
MEEPEE - Change my diaper, Mommy!
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CREMAINS
PRONUNCIATION: (kri-MAYNZ)
MEANING: noun: Ashes remaining after cremation of a body.
ETYMOLOGY: A blend of cremated and remains. Earliest documented use: 1947
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ACREMAINS - the circuit breakers that control the entire home and its large lot
CREAMAINS - the dregs of a Latte Grande
CREMARINS - Conjugated Equine Estrogens in a milky solution for oral ingestion
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SHERO
PRONUNCIATION: (SHEE-roh)
MEANING: noun: A woman admired for her courage, achievements, or noble qualities.
ETYMOLOGY: A blend of she + hero, from Latin heros (a demigod or man with heroic qualities; [plural: heroes]), from Greek heros. Ultimately from the Indo-European root ser- (to protect), which also gave us conserve, observe, preserve, and reserve. Earliest documented use: 1836.
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SHEERO - brand name of particularly suggestive women's nightwear
SH ERGO - here's my reasoning, but don't tell anybody
SHERLO - Mrs. Holmes' affectionate name for the detective
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PRISSY
Pronunciation; (PRI-see)
MEANING: adjective: Overly prim and preciseso as to appear prudish or finicky.
ETYMOLOGY: Perhaps a blend of prim + sissy. Earliest documented use: 1894
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PLISSY - opponent of Firguson in court
PRIMSY - a whimsical flower, combination of Mimsy and Primrose
PRISMY - scattering light into rainbows
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AMUSE-GUEULE
PRONUNCIATION: (uh-mooz-GUHL)
MEANING: noun: A small item of food served as an appetizer.
ETYMOLOGY: From French amuse-gueule (literally, amuses the mouth), from amuser (to amuse) + gueule (mouth). A synonym, another tosspot word from French, is amuse-bouche. Earliest documented use: 1963.
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MUSE-GUEULE - that would be Erato, in charge of Sacred Poetry
ABUSE-GUEULE - a tongue-lashing
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SKITTERBROOK
PRONUNCIATION: (SKIT-uhr-brook)
MEANING: noun: A coward.
ETYMOLOGY: From Dutch schijtebroek (literally, shits his pants), from schijten (to shit) + broek (pants). Earliest documented use: 1652.
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SKITTERBROOM - used to sweep the ice in curling, so the stones will go where you want them to
SKITTERBOOK - Where can I find information about skittering?
SKITTERBORO OK? - Should we go to Titusville or Skitterboro?
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CACHE-SEXE
PRONUNCIATION: (KASH-seks)
MEANING: noun: A small garment to cover the genitals.
ETYMOLOGY: From French cache-sexe (literally, hides sex), from cacher (to hide) + sexe (genitals, sex). Earliest documented use: 1926.
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CACHE-SEE - a children's game (also called hide-and-go-seek)
CACHET-SEXE - a VERY high-class call girl (see also CASHE-SEXE)
ACHE-SEXE - hung-up; stimulated but not released
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SCALDOBANCO
PRONUNCIATION: (skal-duh-BAHNG-koh)
MEANING: noun: A fiery speaker, especially a preacher.
ETYMOLOGY: From obsolete Italian scaldabanco (literally, heats the bench), from scaldare (to heat) + banco (bench). Earliest documented use: 1670.
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SCOLDOBANCO - where you sit in the office of the Assistant Principal in charge of Discipline
SCALDOBIANCO - heated white-hot
SCALDOBARCO - pour boiling water over the trunk of a tree (or boat)
Last edited by wofahulicodoc; 05/24/2019 12:56 AM.
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GAINPAIN
PRONUNCIATION: (GAYN-payn)
MEANING: noun:
1. A long thick glove: gauntlet.
2. A hired soldier: mercenary.
ETYMOLOGY: From Old French gaignepain (literally, wins the bread), from gagner (to win or earn) + pain (bread). Earliest documented use: 1430.
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GAINSPAIN - conquer Iberia
GAINPAIR - adopt twins
GAISPAIN - joli, in France
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SABOTAGE
PRONUNCIATION: (SAB-uh-tazh)
MEANING: verb tr.: To disrupt, damage, or destroy, especially in an underhanded manner.
noun: An instance of such subversion.
ETYMOLOGY: From French saboter (to walk noisily, to botch), from sabot (wooden shoe). Earliest documented use: 1910.
NOTES: The popular story of disgruntled workers throwing their sabots into the machinery to jam it is not supported by evidence. Rather, it’s that the workers typically wore sabots.
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SABOTANGE - an angel in wooden shoes
SAABOTAGE - short-circuiting the assembly line while working under cover for General Motors
JABOTAGE - frilly lace bibs for women's blouses
SABOTAGUE - Louis XVI's feet hurt parce que his shoes were too tight
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ROUGHSHOD
PRONUNCIATION: (RUF-shod)
MEANING:\ . adjective: 1. Domineering; bullying; brutal.
2. Having horseshoes with projecting nails or calks to prevent slipping.
adverb: In a domineering or harsh manner.
ETYMOLOGY: From rough + shod (wearing shoes), past participle of shoe. Earliest documented use: 1688.
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ROUGHS HOP - a prom for thugs
ROUGHS OD - I don't care how macho you are, overdosing is no picnic
ROUGH SHOP - where you buy rasps and files and sandpaper
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OLD SHOE
PRONUNCIATION: (old shoo)
MEANING: noun: Something or someone comfortably familiar, especially in an unpretentious manner.
ETYMOLOGY: Alluding to the familiar comfort of an old pair of shoes. Earliest documented use: 1386.
NOTES: The idiom “old shoe” has traveled around the block in the English language a few times. In the beginning it meant something worthless. Then there was this superstition of throwing shoes after a person leaving on a trip. This developed into the idiom old shoe meaning good luck. Finally, there’s something to be said about the comfort of stepping into an old pair of shoes (compared to breaking in a new pair) that resulted in the current meaning of the term
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OLD SHMOE - an elderly bumbler
OLD SHOW - The $64,000 Question, say
OLDISH O.E. - I found a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary from the 1950s!
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VAMP
PRONUNCIATION: (vamp)
MEANING: noun: 1. The front upper part of a shoe.
2. Something patched up or improvised.
3. A short, introductory musical passage, usually improvised, repeated several times.
verb tr.: 1. To provide a shoe with a new vamp.
2. To piece together; to improvise.
verb intr.: To play a short, introductory musical passage several times.
noun: A woman who uses her charm to exploit men.
verb tr.: To seduce or exploit.
verb intr.: To behave like a vamp.
ETYMOLOGY: For the 1st group: From Old French avanpié, from avant (fore) + pié (foot), from Latin pes (foot). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ped- (foot), which gave us pedal, impeccable, podium, octopus, impeach, peccadillo (alluding to a stumble or fall), antipodes, expediency, and impeccable. Earliest documented use: 1225.
For the 2nd group: Short for vampire, from French, from Hungarian vampir, from a Slavic language. Earliest documented use: 1904.
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V.A. MOP - used by the janitor in a Veterans' Administration hospital to swab the floors
AVA, M.P. - Ms Gardner has won a seat in the House of Commons
TV AMP - increases the sound level of my television
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SHOEHORN
PRONUNCIATION: (SHOO-horn)
MEANING: verb tr.: To force something into an insufficient or unsuitable space.
noun: A tool to help slide one’s heel into a shoe.
ETYMOLOGY:
Originally, shoehorns were made of the horns of animals. Earliest documented use: 1589.
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SHOECORN - what you get when your footwear is too tight
SHOP HORN - tells factory workers when it’s lunchtime
SHOEBORN - the Old Woman had another kid
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STIGMA
PRONUNCIATION:(STIG-mah)
plural stigmata (stig-MAH-tuh, STIG-muh-) or stigmas
MEANING: noun:
1. A mark of shame or infamy.
2. A birthmark or scar.
3. An identifying mark of a disease.
4. The tip of the pistil of a flower where pollen is deposited.
5. A mark burned into the skin of a person.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin stigma, from Greek stigma (tattoo mark), from stizein (to prick). Ultimately from the Indo-European root steig- (to stick; pointed), which is also the source of ticket, etiquette, instinct, stigma, thistle, tiger, and steak. Earliest documented use: 1596.
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ASTIGMA - shortened form of why your vision is distorted
STING-MA - the Queen Bee
'STIN, MA - answer to your mother's query, "What element is Sn?"
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STRATUM
PRONUNCIATION: (STRAY-tuhm, STRAT-uhm)
plural strata (STRAY-tuh, STRAT-uh) or stratums
MEANING: noun: A layer of something, as rock, tissue, people at an economic level, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin stratum (cover), past participle of sternere (to spread). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ster- (to spread), which also gave us structure, industry, destroy, street, Russian perestroika, stratagem, and stratocracy. Earliest documented use: 1599. Nowadays, the word is often seen in its plural form used as a singular, similar to agenda, errata, etc.
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STRADUM - one single priceless old violin
ASTRA-TUM - the pocket antacid tablet preferred by the ISS crew
SPRATUM - why Jack could eat no fat, and his wife no lean
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GUTTA
PRONUNCIATION: (GUHT-uh)
plural guttae (GUHT-ee)
MEANING: noun:
1. A drop.
2. One of a series of ornaments, typically in the shape of a truncated cone on buildings (in the Doric order in classical architecture).
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin gutta (drop). Earliest documented use: 1398.
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MUTTA - my female parent comes from in Boston
GUSTA - she likes it in Mexico City
GITTA - six-stringed musical instrument often used by Boston folk singers
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CHARISMA
PRONUNCIATION: (kuh-RIZ-muh)
plural charismata (kuh-RIZ-muh-tuh)*
MEANING: noun: A personal charm or appeal that inspires devotion, loyalty, enthusiasm, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin, from Greek kharisma, from kharis (favor, grace). Ultimately from the Indo-European root gher- (to like or want), which also gave us chrestomathy, hortatory, hortative, yearn, greedy, and exhort. Earliest documented use: 1641.
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*(I didn't think there was a plural!)
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CHERI'S MA - the mother of my dear French friend
(also, of course, "CHER IS MA - My mother was married to Sony Bono in the 1960s")
CHARISM - a fanatical insistence on ultra-well-toasted marshmallows
CHARISMAS - a poorly-articulated holiday that occurs near the winter solstice
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SOCRATIC METHOD
PRONUNCIATION: (suh-KRAT-ik meth-uhd)
MEANING: noun: A method of teaching in which, instead of giving the answer, the teacher guides students to it by asking them a series of questions.
ETYMOLOGY: After Greek philosopher Socrates (c. 470-399 BCE) who employed this method in his teaching. Earliest documented use: 1741. Socrates’s wife Xanthippe has also given us an eponym.
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SOCIATIC METH O.D. - we have a big problem with too much methamphetamine
SORATIC METHOD - procedure for treating an exfoliative skin disease
ISOCRATIC METHOD - principle of self-government
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