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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 141
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 141 |
Once in a while AWAD delivery gets delayed and messages start pouring in my
mailbox complaining of withdrawal symptoms. "Words are, of course, the most
powerful drug used by mankind," these words of British writer Joseph Rudyard
Kipling might help explain why many of us get so hooked on words. As time
passes we experience symptoms of mithridatism, the condition of immunity
acquired by taking gradually increased doses of something. Slowly they take
over our lives and we realize we need words with even larger potency, words
that are unusual, esoteric, or even preposterous, to get the same high. Are
you one of those for whom the dictionary might be better characterized as
addictionary? Help is near. Consider this week as an extra high dose of the
fix.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
>>Once in a while AWAD delivery gets delayed and messages start pouring in my
mailbox complaining of withdrawal symptoms.<<
Isn't this gratifying? Thank you, A., for doing this.
>>mithridatism<< I'd not heard that one before! Will say
that Gurunet specifies a poison. Not sure I agree that all
words are poisonous, by any means! I understand, though.
>>the dictionary might be better characterized as
addictionary<< Oh! This is perfect! Anu, I love you!
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 460
addict
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addict
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 460 |
Great word, but what's the word for the prickling of hairs at the back of your head when Judy starts to sing "Over the rainbow" in The Wizard of Oz and (in my case) when a Wurlitzer theatre organ fires up with a mighty fanfare (we're lucky enough to have one in Hobart with regular public concerts).
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
re: mithridatism Anu uses this word in a figurative sense -- this is another way in which the language grows, by broadening. BTW, this week's theme (and words) makes me think that Anu actually pays some attention to his wwftd subscription. 
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
...and the meaning of horripilation has broadened to include goose flesh. I know of no other word which applies to the prickling of hairs or goose bumps (caused by erection of the papillae).
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