Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 14 of 26 1 2 12 13 14 15 16 25 26
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
HERJULES

PRONUNCIATION: (HUHR-kyuh-leez)

MEANING: noun: A man of extraordinary strength or size.

ETYMOLOGY: After Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene in Greek mythology. Hercules performed many feats requiring extraordinary strength and effort, such as cleaning the Augean stables. He also slew the monster Hydra. Earliest documented use: 1567. Also see herculean.
___________________________

HERULES - Vive le Roi!

HERJULES - the royal diamonds and emeralds

HERCULESS - Dame Agatha without her renowned Belgian detective

HERCUES - Even after losing everything in a disastrous fire, the renowned actress never missed these

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
TRAVEST

PRONUNCIATION: (TRA-vuhst)

MEANING: verb tr.: To mock or to parody.

ETYMOLOGY: From either French travestir or Italian travestire, from tra- (across), from Latin trans- + vestire (to dress). Earliest documented use: 1656.
__________________________________

TARAVEST - a waistcoat with the motto of Scarlett's plantation embroidered to the pocket

TERAVEST - what you'd have to do, and tlhen some, to buy half of the outstanding Apple stock

THAVEST - what you put on after you've put on thapants, thashirt, and thatie

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
ANATHEMATIZE

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-NATH-uh-muh-tyz)

MEANING: verb tr.: To denounce, condemn, or curse.

ETYMOLOGY: From Middle French anathematiser, from Latin anathematizare (to ban, curse, or detest), from Greek anathematizein (to curse), from anathema (something devoted to evil). Earliest documented use: 1473.
___________________________

A.B.A.-THEMATIZE - to re-write a Scott Turow book so that it's really about Organized Law

ANTHEMATIZE - to make a song symbolize a country

ANATHEMA-TIKE - Dennis the Menace (apologies to Hank Ketcham)

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
IMMISERATE

PRONUNCIATION: (i-MIZ-uh-rayt)

MEANING: verb tr.: To impoverish or to make miserable.

ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from immiseration (impoverishment), loan translation of German Verelendung (impoverishment). The word is from in- (into) + miserable, from Latin miserari (to pity), from miser (pitiable, wretched). Earliest documented use: 1956.
_________________________

A.M. MISERATE - unhappiness in the morning

IMMIE RATE - what it costs to buy a marble

EMMI-BERATE - to scold for being too fixated on TV awards

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
BETRUMP

PRONUNCIATION: (be-TRUHMP)

MEANING: verb tr.:
1. To deceive or cheat.
2. To elude.

ETYMOLOGY: From be- + French tromper (to deceive), which also gave us trumpery and trompe l’oeil. Earliest documented use: 1522.
_____________________________

BEST RUMP - a superlative cut of roast

BE TRAMP - play a role in a Charlie Chaplin movie (or a full-length Disney cartoon)

BET SUM (𝑝) - make a quiet wager

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
MANUSCRIBE

PRONUNCIATION: (MAN-yuh-skryb)

MEANING: verb tr.:
1. To write by hand.
2. To autograph.

ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from manuscript, from manus (hand) + scribere (to write). Ultimately from the Indo-European root skribh- (to cut, separate, or sift), which also gave us subscribe, scripture, scribble, describe, circumflex, and circumspect. Earliest documented use: 1649.
________________________________

MANY SCRIBE - just about everybody knows how to write

MANUS CRIME - transgressions committed by hand

MANU'S TRIBE - his extended family, friends and companions

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
TYPOMANIA

PRONUNCIATION: (ty-puh-MAY-nee-uh)

MEANING: noun:
1. An obsession with typography.
2. An obsession with typology or symbolism.
3. An obsession with getting published.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek typos (impression) + mania (excessive enthusiasm or craze). Earliest documented use: 1882.
____________________________________________

TYPHOMANIA - I see evidence of Salmonella infections everywhere

T.Y., ROMANIA - an expression of gratitude in Bucharest

TYPTOMANIA - a fascination with tulips, Tiny Tim, and ukuleles

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
EPISTEMOLOGY

MEANING: noun: The study of knowledge, especially its nature, origin, limits, validity, etc.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek episteme (knowledge) + -logy (study). Earliest documented use: 1847.
__________________________________

EPISTEMOLOGY - science of plant pests (aphids et al) that grow on the stems and leaves

EPICSTEMOLOGY - how sunflowers keep their blooms upright

EXISTEMOLOGY - whether or not there is a genre of rock music dealing with emotional themes

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
YESTEREVE

PRONUNCIATION: (YES-tuh-reev)

MEANING: noun: Yesterday evening.
adverb: During yesterday evening.

ETYMOLOGY: From yester- (a time one period before the present one), from Old English giestran (previous day) + eve/even (evening). Earliest documented use: 1565. Another form of this word is yestreen.
_______________________________________

ESTEREVE - the night before Purim

YESSER, EVE - Adam accedes to his mate's requests, if sarcastically

GESTE RÈVE - dream of elegance and magnanimity

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
MARCESCENCE

PRONUNCIATION: (mahr-SES-uhns)

MEANING: noun: The retention of dead leaves, etc., as opposed to shedding.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin marcescere (to wither), from marcere (to wither). Earliest documented use: 1859.
_______________________________

MAR-CRESCENCE - sea level is rising

MARCH SCENE - warriors in serried ranks assembled

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
AGGIORNAMENTO

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-johr-nuh-MEN-toh)

MEANING: noun: A process of modernization or bringing up to date.

ETYMOLOGY: The word came on the radar of the English-speaking world from a speech given by Pope John XXIII in which he called for a revision of the church code. From Italian aggiornamento (updating), from aggiornare (to bring up to date), from a- (to) + giorno (day), from Latin diurnus (daily) ), from dies (day). Ultimately from the Indo-European root dyeu- (to shine) that also gave us adjourn, diary, diet, circadian, journal, journey, quotidian, sojourn, diva, divine, deify, Jupiter, Jove, jovial, July, Zeus, and Sanskrit deva (god). Earliest documented use: 1962.
___________________________________________

ANGIORNAMENTO - an elegant treatment for fixing narrowed coronary arteries

OGGIORNAMENTO - today's outfit

AGRIORNAMENTO - decorative plants

AGGIORNAMENT - the chess match will be continued tomorrow

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
CLICKBAIT

PRONUNCIATION: (KLIK-bayt)

MEANING: noun: A sensationalized, often misleading, headline that is designed to entice users to click on a hyperlink.

ETYMOLOGY: A combination of click + bait, a headline that makes a user click on the link to find out more, only to be disappointed by content of dubious value. Earliest documented use: 1999.
_____________________________________

CHICKBAIT - a baby in a carriage

CLOCKBAIT - what it takes to get a mouse to run up (must be finished before one)

CLICKWAIT - how you know you've been put on "Hold"

wofahulicodoc #231836 05/04/2022 1:43 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
OMNISHAMBLES

PRONUNCIATION: (OM-ni-sham-buhlz)

MEANING: noun: A situation that is a complete mess, especially when resulting from mismanagement.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin omni- (all) + shambles (a state of great disorder). The word was coined by writer Tony Roche in The Thick of It (video, 2 sec.), a satirical television series about the inner workings of the British government. Earliest documented use: 2009. Some related terms are dumpster fire and clusterfuck.
_____________________________

SOMNISHAMBLES - so messed up it puts you to sleep

OMNI-SHAM, LES - Lester, it's all a fake

OMENISH AMBLES - if we go walking maybe we'l see the shape of things to come

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
LISTICLE

PRONUNCIATION: (LIS-ti-kuhl)

MEANING: noun: An article or other piece of writing structured in the form of a list.

ETYMOLOGY: A blend of list + article. From Old English liste (border, strip) and Latin articulus (small joint), from artus (joint). Earliest documented use: 2007. Clickbaits often lead to listicles.
__________________________

LUSTICLE - advertising catalog for aphrodysiacs, in outline form

LISTICKLE - miles and miles of Chinese feathers

LISTICHE - a pastiche of a listicle; e.g.[Linked Image]

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
ACQUIHIRE

PRONUNCIATION: (AK-wi-hy-uhr)

MEANING: noun: The purchase of a company for its talent rather than its products or services.
verb tr.: To buy a company in this manner.

ETYMOLOGY: Coined by Rex Hammock as a combination of acquire + hire. From Latin quaerere (to seek, get) and Old English hyrian (to hire). Earliest documented use: 2005.
_________________________________

AQUÍHIRE - Workers Needed, Spanish a Plus

ACQUAHIRE - Lifeguards Needed

ACQUISHIRE - Hobbits' Swim Club

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
PAYWALL

PRONUNCIATION: (PAY-wal)

MEANING: noun: A system of restricting access to online content or services, making them accessible only upon payment.

ETYMOLOGY: A combination of pay + wall. From Latin pacare (appease), from pax (peace) and vallum (rampart), from vallus (stake). Earliest documented use: 2004.
___________________________________

PLAYWALL - public handball court

PRYWALL - hidden door to a secret room

PAYWELL - the kind of job most people want

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
TIMEOUS

PRONUNCIATION: (TY-muhs)

MEANING: adjective: In good time.

ETYMOLOGY: From time, from Old English tima (time). Earliest documented use: 1482.
___________________

TIMEOLUS - tiny quantity of fear

TRIMEOUS - overzealous with the hedge clippers

TIMEOPUS - determine the airspeed velocity of an unladen Penguin

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
YEALING

PRONUNCIATION: (YEE-ling)

MEANING: noun: Someone who is the same age as oneself.

ETYMOLOGY: From Scots eildins. Earliest documented use: 1728.
_________________________

EALING - city in Est Irginia, about 60 miles WSW of Pittsburg PA

YALING - an entertainment of the Crimson of Harvard, baiting the Eli

YEALING - novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlngs (set in Boston where they can't pronounce Rs)

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
WITCHING HOUR

PRONUNCIATION: (WICH-ing our)

MEANING: noun: Midnight.

ETYMOLOGY: From the belief that witches are the most active at that time. Earliest documented use: 1762.

NOTES: Some say the witching hour is midnight while others believe it’s 3-4 am. The term witching hour has also been applied to early evening when babies supposedly cry more often. In the world of stock markets, it is the last hour of trading on the third Friday of certain months when there’s more volatility. So which one is it? Only witches know.
______________________

WITCHING TOUR - Salem, MA, on October 31

PITCHING HOUR - a sixty-minute-long infomercial

WITCHING HOURI - a magical attractive Muslim woman

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
MERIDIAN

PRONUNCIATION: (muh-RID-ee-uhn)

MEANING: noun: 1. A line connecting the North Pole to the South Pole or a circle passing through the two poles.
2. Midday.
3. The highest point, as of power, prosperity, development, etc.
adj.: 1. Relating to a meridian.
2. Relating to midday.
3. Relating to the highest point of someone’s power, prosperity, development, etc.

ETYMOLOGY: From Old French meridien, from Latin meridianus, from meridies (noon), from medius (mid) + dies (day). Earliest documented use: 1386.
_______________________________

MERINDIAN - a large body of water bounded on East and West by Africa and Australia, on North and South by Asia and Antarctica

MERIDIANA - light-hearted Princess

MERDIAN - crappy

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
EPHEMERAL

PRONUNCIATION: (i-FEM-uh-ruhl)

MEANING: adjective: Lasting a very short time; transitory.
noun: Anything short-lived.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek ephemeros (short-lived), from epi- (upon) + hemera (day). Earliest documented use: 1576.
____________________________

PHEMERAL - pertaining to the upper-leg bone

e-pH EMERALD - a highly acidic green jewel, with a log-hydrogen-ion concentration of -2.718281828...

EPHEMERAW - I know it hurts now, but it'll be better by tomorrow

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
CERACEOUS

PRONUNCIATION: (suh-RAY-shuhs)

MEANING: adjective: Waxy.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin cera (wax) + -aceous (resembling or relating to). Earliest documented use: 1768.
__________________________

ACERACEOUS - sharp, barbed

CELACEOUS - titillating, suggestive

CERVACEOUS - beery

[not to mention the homophone "Serratious" - pertaining to a bacterium of the genus Serratia]

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
HEBDOMADAL

PRONUNCIATION: (heb-DOM-uh-duhl)

MEANING: adjective: Weekly.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin hebdomas, from Greek hepta (seven). Earliest documented use: 1612.
______________________

HEBDO-MEDAL - like Mark Spitz (winning seven Olympic events)

HEBDONADAL - seven championship tennis players

HEBDOMANAL - pertaining to the digestive viscera

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
PISCINE

PRONUNCIATION: (PY-seen, PIS-ayn)

MEANING: adjective: Fishy.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin piscis (fish). Earliest documented use: 1670.

[and of course there is Pisces, the astrological sign, the fish]
____________________________

PICCINE - Italian opera composer , viz. La Bohême and others

VISCINE - eyedrops

PA'S CINE - your father's movie

APIS-CINE - slow-motion film about bees

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
ODONTALGIA

PRONUNCIATION: (oh-don-TAL-juh -jee-uh)

MEANING: noun: Toothache.

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek odont- (tooth) + -algia (pain). Earliest documented use: 1706.
______________________________

O, DONUT-ALGIA - pain in the jaw from too many sweeets

ADONTALGIA - phantom pain in the jaw even after the dentist pulls your infected tooth

ODONTAL, GA - Georgia branch office of a Mexican dentist

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
ABLIGURITION

PRONUNCIATION: (uh-blig-yoo-RISH-uhn)

MEANING: noun: Extravagance, especially in matters of food and drink.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin abligurire (to squander on delicacies), from ab- (away) + ligurire (to be dainty), from lingere (to lick). Ultimately from the Indo-European root leigh- (lick), which also gave us linctus, lichen (apparently from the way it licks its way around a surface), lecher, and cunnilingus. Earliest documented use: 1724.
_______________________________

OBLIGURITION - under contract to become pregnant

ABL-IG-UTRITION - fulfilling the Inspector General's criteria for supporting an organism with food

ABO-LIGURITION - hooking other antigens onto the main blood groups

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
NUDUM PACTUM

PRONUNCIATION: (NOO/NYOO-duhm PAK-tuhm)

MEANING: noun: An unenforceable contract, one that’s void because of lack of consideration (something of value promised in exchange).

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin nudus (bare) + pactum (pact). Earliest documented use: 1603.
_____________________________

NUNDUM PACTUM - a contract in a convent

NUDUM PICTUM - produce gathered by unclad farmers

NUDUM PARTUM - naked as a newborn babe

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
TITUBATION

PRONUNCIATION: (tich-uh-BAY-shuhn)

MEANING: noun:
1. Unsteady movement, such as the staggering, lurching, or nodding of the head or the body.
2. Stuttering or stammering.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin titubare (to stagger). Earliest documented use: 1641.
______________________________

T-TUBATION - inserting a branched tube into the Common Bile Duct

TITUS-ATION - transforming into be the Roman Emperor from around 80 BC

Ti-TUBA TIN - when mixed with titanium, an alloy from which large, low-pitched musical instruments are made

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
TWATTLE

PRONUNCIATION: (TWAT-uhl)

MEANING: noun: Idle talk; nonsense.
verb intr.: To talk idly.

ETYMOLOGY: Perhaps an alteration of tattle, of imitative origin. Earliest documented use: 1673.
________________________________

WATTLE - the dingle-dangle hanging from a turkey's throat (not to be confused with the dingle-dangle that hangs from a turkey's beak, which is a SNOOD)

TWA TALE - the Rise and Fall of the Constellation

WATTLE - Barrista's greeting (usually followed by "you have?")

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
COCK OF THE WALK

PRONUNCIATION: (KOK ov thuh wahk)

MEANING: noun: A person who behaves in an arrogant and domineering manner in a group.

ETYMOLOGY: In animal husbandry, an enclosed yard or a pen is known as a walk. A rooster who rules a roost is, literally, a cock of the walk. Earliest documented use: 1781.
___________________________

CONK OF THE WALK - hit your head on a low-hanging branch

CORK OF THE WALK - the Minister of Silly Walks (see Monty Python's Flying Circus)

CLOCK OF THE WALK - used for time trials in the Olympic power-walking event

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
PENETRALIA

PRONUNCIATION: (pe-nuh-TRAY-lee-uh)

MEANING: plural noun: The innermost, secret, or hidden parts of something.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin penetralia, from penetrare (to penetrate), from penitus (interior) + intrare (to enter). Earliest documented use: 1668.
___________________________

PEN-TRALIA - old slang from when Australia was the place they sent convicted criminals to

PINE TRALIA - we'll follow your scent with bloodhounds

FENETRA LIRA - throw your pre-E.C. Italian currency out the window

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
FRENEMY

PRONUNCIATION: (FREN-uh-mee)

MEANING: noun: Someone with whom one is friendly, despite feeling hostility.

ETYMOLOGY: blend of friend + enemy. Earliest documented use: 1891.
________________________________

FIRE NEMY - Nemy, you're out of a job

FREE MY - release the one I own

𝒇 RENÉ MAY - [loudly] it's possible that M. Coty will

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
GLAMP

PRONUNCIATION: (glamp)

MEANING: verb intr.: To camp in comforts or luxuries not typically available in camping, such as electricity, plumbing, beds, etc.

ETYMOLOGY: Back-formation from glamping, a blend of glamorous + camping. Earliest documented use: 2007.
__________________________

GO LAMP - green light

GLAM UP - apply a superficial veneer, in an attempt to be stylish

GLAD MP - a happy member of the House of Commons

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
INSINUENDO

PRONUNCIATION: (in-sin-yuh-EN-doh)

MEANING: noun: An assertion or hint that’s disparaging and suggestive.

ETYMOLOGY: A blend of insinuation + innuendo. Earliest documented use: 1884.
______________________________

IN SIN U END - you'll go to Hell if you don't mend your ways

RINSIN UENDO - using a bidet

IN-SITU ENDO - the goal of endoscopy; examining something in place, without removing it

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
COOPETITION

PRONUNCIATION: (ko-op-uh-TISH-uhn)

MEANING: noun: A collaboration between rivals.

ETYMOLOGY: A blend of cooperative + competition. Earliest documented use: 1913.
_____________________________

COMP-ETITION - the struggle for free tickets

C=O=O PETITION - popular proposal to limit Carbon Dioxide emissions

CO-PETITION - 1) two people express their wishes; 2) or maybe it's just the Commanding Officer's request

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
GLAMAZON

PRONUNCIATION: (GLA-muh-zon)

MEANING. noun: A tall, glamorous, self-assured woman.

ETYMOLOGY: A blend of glamor + amazon. Earliest documented use: 1943.
______________________________

GLAMAZONE - Hollywood

LLAMAZON - a very strong Andean beast of burden

GLAMATON - a motorized Barbie doll

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
CORONATION STREET

PRONUNCIATION: (kor-uh-NAY-shuhn street)

MEANING: adjective: Working-class.

ETYMOLOGY: After Coronation Street, a British television series about the lives of working-class people in the fictional town of Weatherfield. The soap opera debuted in 1960 and has been running ever since. It has its own affectionate nickname: Corrie. Ironically, Coronation Street is named after something far from working-class, a crown (corona). Earliest documented use: 1962.
_____________________________

CORONATION TREET - candy distributed at the installation ceremony

CORN-NATION STREET - the main drag in Iowa

MORONATION STREET - the way of the mentally challenged

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
STEPNEY

PRONUNCIATION: (STEP-nee)

MEANING: noun:
1. A spare wheel or a spare tire.
2. Something or someone treated as a backup.

ETYMOLOGY: After Stepney Street in Llanelli, Wales, where such wheels were initially manufactured. Earliest documented use: 1907.

NOTES:In the early days, automobiles did not come with a spare wheel. At the same time, roads were often not in good condition. Also, they were more likely to have nails that had fallen from horseshoes. As a result, flat tires or punctures were common. Walter and Thomas Davies started a business manufacturing compact spare wheels at Stepney Street and it took off. As a result, such wheels came to be known as stepneys. These days the term is used mostly on the Indian subcontinent.
______________________________

STEPKEY - needed to decipher the Dance of the Bees, which they use to tell the hive where the source of nectar is

STEPNEY - rigging used by sailors to climb to the sails and spars

SHEPNEY - word used by some Welsh rustics as an elided form of "Shetland pony"

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
PEPPER ALLEY

PRONUNCIATION: (PEP-uhr AL-ee)

MEANING: noun:
1. Rough treatment.
2. Severe beating.

ETYMOLOGY: After Pepper Alley, a street in London, UK. Earliest documented use: 1820.

NOTES: The term arose as boxing slang, from the verb pepper, meaning to hit repeatedly. The phrase “to pay a visit to Pepper Alley” means to receive severe beating.
_______________________

PEPPE RALLY - assembly to foster a girls' school spirit

"PEPPER" ALLEN - nickname of Gracie's older brother

PEPPER VALLEY - instead of grapes they grow Capsicum plants

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,062
Likes: 2
CARNABY

PRONUNCIATION: (KAHR-nuh-bee)

MEANING: adjective: Fashionable or stylish.

ETYMOLOGY: After Carnaby Street in the West End of London, which became known in the 1960s for fashionable clothing stores. Earliest documented use: 1964.
__________________________

CAR BABY - how Uncle Remus would trap a modern-day Br'er Rabbit, if he wanted to

CANNABY - weed, diminutively speaking

CARNALY - (sorry, can't publish this one; it's a family website)

Page 14 of 26 1 2 12 13 14 15 16 25 26

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0