#64910
04/10/2002 5:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 65
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 65 |
I have this quiz that requires either an in-depth knowledge of the English language OR a great internet surfer which I'm not! Anyway, here's the definition of the word I'm searching for :
someone who always obeys the rules of his/her job exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to, is called a ________ (9 letters)
Can anyone help me? Thanks!
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#64911
04/10/2002 5:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
(9 letters)
Got any of them?
And what are the cross words?
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#64912
04/10/2002 5:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear JessCC: a tactic that sometimes ;helps me is to make a list of the near-misses:
conformist
bootlicker
toadie
yes man
sycophant
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#64913
04/10/2002 5:55 PM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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I was sure that he was gonna be myrmidon, but I just recounted and he's only got eight (8) letters.
:)
but as long as we're wandering off on the brown-nose tangent, here are a couple of really archaic words: pickthank, toadeater
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#64914
04/10/2002 6:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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in a union, its called "work to rules"-- which is too many letters.. its also called "by the book"... hey that's 9 letters...it means to work by rule book..
unions work to rules or by the book to effect work slow downs.
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#64915
04/10/2002 6:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526 |
Formalist, although I prefer to use 'pedant.'
k
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#64916
04/10/2002 7:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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here are a couple of really archaic words: pickthank, toadeaterWell, thank you Michael! I've been using "toadeater" ever since I read it in a Regency-period book yonks ago, and no one is ever in any doubt about precisely what it means ... 
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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#64917
04/10/2002 10:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
obeys the rules exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to
"Bureaucrat," unfortunately, has ten letters; I like it otherwise.
Are you sure this isn't one of those "How do you keep a turkey" (or other unflattering designation) "in suspense?" questions?
Edit: How about "automaton"? That'll do nicely. But it needs to have an (n) in the question:
"...is called a(n) _____________"
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#64918
04/10/2002 11:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Gosh, I thought Wolfaholic had it, but after checking MW, I dunno...not specific enough. Here 'tis:
Main Entry: au·tom·a·ton
Pronunciation: o-'tä-m&-t&n, -m&-"tän
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -atons or au·tom·a·ta /-m&-t&, -m&-"tä/
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, neuter of automatos
Date: 1645
1 : a mechanism that is relatively self-operating; especially : ROBOT
2 : a machine or control mechanism designed to follow automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond to encoded instructions
3 : an individual who acts in a mechanical fashion
Befuddled regards,
WordWebster's
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#64919
04/10/2002 11:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 11,074 Likes: 2 |
Agreed, it's not perfect in denotation, but does come pretty close in connotation.
At least we're gettng warmer :-)
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#64920
04/10/2002 11:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477 |
Well, hello - and Selamat Pagi to you JessCC (well, it's morning for me)  WELCOME aBoard!
I'm sure my esteemed friends and colleagues will have given you lots of answers... not sure if they are what you're looking for. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your time here!
Hev
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#64921
04/10/2002 11:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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I was thinking factotum, but not enough letters. However, it's the even when it would be more sensible not to part of the definition that's really bugging me....
Bugged regards,
DratDub
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#64922
04/10/2002 11:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Took another tack. Checked out synonyms for myrmidon as well suggested, though a letter short, by Mr. T. But guess what? MW didn't list a synonym for myrmidon--and that one sure comes closest in the defined meaning so far. Wonder what Roget has stuffed away?
Main Entry: myr·mi·don
Pronunciation: 'm&r-m&-"dän, -d&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English Mirmydon, Latin Myrmidon-, Myrmido, from Greek MyrmidOn
Date: 15th century
1 capitalized : a member of a legendary Thessalian people who accompanied their king Achilles in the Trojan War
2 : a loyal follower; especially : a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously
Blowing in the Wordwind
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#64923
04/10/2002 11:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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#64924
04/11/2002 12:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477 |
rules of his/her job exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to
Hi - back again - has anyone mentioned dogmatist?
Hev
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#64925
04/11/2002 12:21 AM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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#64926
04/11/2002 3:17 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
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#64927
04/11/2002 2:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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How 'bout janissary? That's military--but has come to mean a loyal supporter.
Bugged regards (still),
WordWondering always, always
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#64928
04/11/2002 2:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
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Carpal Tunnel
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henchman... damn, eight again. 8 )
-bill (officer) gannon
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#64929
04/11/2002 2:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Well, this is really interesting, though eight letters again, tsuwm.
I tried tracking down henchman to see whether it would lead to a nine-letter word, but became in the etymology of henchman.
For one thing it came from the Middle English hengestman for groom as in the one who grooms horses. Learned hengest is the Old English stallion--so a henchman is a stallion man, ergo, groom in the Middle English sense.
I'd always before just thought of the Mob when hearing henchman...but now can think of the smell of horses.
On to find another 9-letter word, but thanks, tswum, for a lovely excursion,
ww
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#64930
04/11/2002 3:20 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692 |
I suggest the word is "jobsworth". Collins Concise gives it as:- "a person in a position of minor authority who invokes the letter of the law in order to avoid any action requiring initiative, cooperation, etc. (from - its more than my jobs worth to......)." That is, one who does his job always by the letter of the rules.
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#64931
04/11/2002 3:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872 |
QUISLING. <<< ( that's the first time I've tried [black ]AND[ bold] type together, works pretty good doesn't it.) QUISLING <<< (on the other hand this is just bold,QUISLING <<< and that was just black.
What do you think? -mw
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#64932
04/11/2002 3:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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that now i can begin to expect some colorful language from you!
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#64933
04/11/2002 3:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Quisling is another eight-letter word.
And so is a solution proposed by another board member who is currently silent on this subject: yes woman.
We're doing SUPA DUPA on eight-letter solutions, huh?
Brilliant regards,
Word-Short-by-One
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#64934
04/11/2002 3:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Quisling is, in fact, the eight-letter antonym for what we seek.
Egad!!!
Will this JessCC ever come back and tell us the answer his/her teacher/boss/prof wanted?
This kinda thing drives me nuts,
WordWacky
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#64935
04/11/2002 3:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Welcome to you, JessCC. Oh, what a great link, Aunt mav! (grr, Helen! ) Here's a sample--with a warning that this site is not for the easily offended:
The Mystery of the Rotating Londoners.
If you are visiting London and you listen to East Enders, particularly the women, talking about conversations that they have had, you will soon notice that, according to them, the people they talk to are constantly rotating. A typical account is:
" So 'e turns around and says 'ere what's your game? I turned round and told him to mind his own bleeding business and he turns round and says "Don't you come the old tin man with me, my girl" So I turn round and tell him where to get off" So much of this turning round goes on that it is likely that conversations have to be prematurely terminated owing to dizziness. Obviously, such exchanges would be very spectacular to behold and would closely rival ballet for the amount of revolving that goes on. Sadly, I have travelled extensively round London over the last few years and have yet to observe any excessive rotation taking place anywhere.
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#64936
04/11/2002 3:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 144
member
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member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 144 |
well, I know this site is a complete cheat, but it does have its uses! You just fill in the letters you have, with fullstops for the blanks and it comes back with all the options - ideal for that last clue you really can't get your head round!
http://www.eecg.toronto.edu/~bryn/HTML/Crosswords.html
(hope that's not too long - if it is, apologies, let me know and I'll edit)
FWIW my personal vote would go with 'jobsworth'.
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#64937
04/11/2002 4:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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jobsworth Noun. A person who is very pedantic at work and strictly adheres to the rules; named after the oft heard, "I can't let you do that, it's more than my jobs worth." Derog.
Jobsworth could be the word good old JessCC is looking for there in Malaysia. Jess, I sure hope you'll let us know whether jobsworth was the word in question, puh-lease!
However, I found jobsworth in only one reference on OneLook--and it was in a listing of British terms of slang.
Mebbe there isn't a 9-letter word in general reference lexicons that means what myridon means. 'Course we could always start dropping jobsworth everywhere we can think of and try to institute it into the language in other-than-British nations. Jobsworth. Looks good.
Best regards,
Wadswrath
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#64938
04/11/2002 4:55 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
Incidentally, a utility is available for download from PC Magazine called -- something like -- Crossword Solver. No, I haven't tried it. But there it is, like a primrose by the cobbles.
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#64939
04/11/2002 5:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872 |
Dear Miss Worthywords , Yes woman, QUISLING, like YES WOMAN, has only eight (count 'em) letters. It seems that Quisling himself, was just one man. The people who exhibit his unsavory behavioral traits, (count 'em) -their numbers are legion. That is, more than one, so QUISLINGS has (count 'em) nine letters. Your Fan Forever, //Milum.\\PS: WW, You may be smarter than me , but when you wrestle The Milo, you wrestle a greased pig without scruples . 
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#64940
04/11/2002 5:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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QUISLINGS has (count 'em) nine letters
But it is PLURAL and the word that JessCC is looking for is singular.
somepone who always obeys the rules of his/her job exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to, is called a ________ (9 letters)
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#64941
04/11/2002 7:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872 |
Can anyone help me? Thanks!-jessCC ...ssssh, faldage. At your age don't you know that it is not enough to have a brain, you must have a heart as well. Look at jessCC' s message in blue, can't you see that it is a desperate plea for help. jessCC has already confessed that he wasn't well versed in the english language. For goodness sake faldage, please follow my lead and help him properly frame the question, so the answer we give is the right one. //Milum\\
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#64942
04/11/2002 7:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear Milo,
You wrote (hmmmm, which color to choose?):
[hot pink]PS: WW, You may be smarter than me , but when you wrestle The Milo, you wrestle a greased pig without scruples . [/hot pink]
Me no smarter than inniebuddy here. Me jes' able mos' uv dee time to reckon words on me fingers! Meseff offered factotum ...and dat's jes' gots eight. Dunno dee plural--factotums or factoti! And factoti's movin' in dee wrong deerection!
Still hopin' dat Jess'll come back and tell us wuzz whut!
Bes' reckonin',
Wurdwreckuh
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#64943
04/11/2002 7:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dunno dee plural--factotums or factoti!
Da plural a factotum'z factota
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#64944
04/11/2002 9:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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The crossword got it wrong. somepone who always obeys the rules of his/her job exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to, is called a MANAGER. And manager only has SEVEN letters.
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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#64945
04/11/2002 9:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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no fair CK--you have managers who actually know their job? and you're being snide? my current manager doesn't even know the rules of the job, let alone follow them!
he is an IT manager, and since he is in charge, students for my classes are using piece of paper, passed round the office to sign up for classes, instead of the electronic DB, that works with a push of a button!
i have to take the piles of papers, and type in the names -- the db is set up to capture the users email name, if i pushed the button, so i can only register my self electronicly.
we then use the email info to send reminders to the students-- well, the server is programed to do it, not me.. but it only works if the info is entered correctly, i.e., by the student pushing the button!
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#64946
04/11/2002 9:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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CK, there seems to be a conflict between your post and your title-line: The word "lawyer" would be perfect exemplar of your "Woe to ye nit-pickers," but is completely inconsistent with someone who always obeys the rules exactly".
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#64947
04/12/2002 4:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 65
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 65 |
It's me, Jess! First of all, I would like to thank ALL of you for the abundance of information and help. I am practically astounded by the replies! Second of all, (just a side note) I'm a SHE, not a HE! Thirdly, I will only be able to give the correct answer next week because that is when I will be able to get it and I honestly don't know the answer! I'm trying to find it too.
I've practically narrowed it down to :
Automaton - although it doesn't fit in the sentence, it makes a bit of sense to the definition I posted
Jobsworth - even though it is a slang, it COULD be it
Sycophant/toadeater - but it might be taken off the list because it states that a sycophant/toadeater(toady) is "someone who does things for personal gain, flattery" and the definition didn't state that
I promise to give you the answers as soon as I get it, just remember that I can't be on the internet everyday.
Jess
p.s Oh, before I forget, what is your pick? I'll take the majority, then, unless someone comes up with an even better word!
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#64948
04/12/2002 5:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Too bad bureaucrat has too many letters. I like jobsworth.
TEd
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#64949
04/12/2002 5:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Dear Jess,
I am eternally grateful to you for reappearing! This is the kind of puzzle that keeps me returning to it forever--just wanting to know the answer. Not that there's really one correct answer--just the one your test maker has decided should be the answer. I really like tsuwm's myrmidon the best (thought a letter short), but toadeater is terrific, even if archaic.
I don't like jobsworth just because I think it's an ugly-sounding word--and not in an interesting way. Toadeater is an ugly word to consider--but, oh, what fun! So that's the 9-letter one I wish we were still using to describe such myrmidons and myrmidonnas!
Thanks a lot for returning in a little while to let us know which result was hoped for on your test.
Best regards,
WordWarteater ribbet-riveted
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