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It's time for fun with words!
Feb. 20th, 2007 06:08 pmA.Word.A.Day--epigamic
This week's theme: porcine words to mark the Chinese new year.
epigamic (ep-i-GAM-ik) adjective
Of or relating to a trait or behavior that attracts a mate.
Examples: In an animal, bright feathers or big antlers. In a human, a sports car or a big bust.
[From Greek epigamos (marriageable), from epi- (upon) + gamos (marriage).]
"The change from the young, intellectual, epigamic Jays, to the more diplomatically sophisticated Hendersons also reflected a sharp change in Washington lifestyle." Peter D. Carr; It Occurred to Me; Trafford Publishing; 2006.
It actually sounds too much like "epidemic" for my comfort. If I ever get into rhyming poetry, I'll have to make a note of using epigamic and epidemic.
This week's theme: porcine words to mark the Chinese new year.
epigamic (ep-i-GAM-ik) adjective
Of or relating to a trait or behavior that attracts a mate.
Examples: In an animal, bright feathers or big antlers. In a human, a sports car or a big bust.
[From Greek epigamos (marriageable), from epi- (upon) + gamos (marriage).]
"The change from the young, intellectual, epigamic Jays, to the more diplomatically sophisticated Hendersons also reflected a sharp change in Washington lifestyle." Peter D. Carr; It Occurred to Me; Trafford Publishing; 2006.
It actually sounds too much like "epidemic" for my comfort. If I ever get into rhyming poetry, I'll have to make a note of using epigamic and epidemic.
Fun word for the day
Oct. 26th, 2006 11:03 pmFrom the OED word of the day:
limerence, n.
Brit. /{sm}l{shti}m({schwa})r{schwa}ns/, U.S. /{sm}l{shti}m{schwa}r({schwa})ns/, /{sm}l{shti}mr({schwa})ns/ Forms: 19- limerance, limerence. [< limer-, app. an arbitrary element (cf. quot. 1977) + -ENCE. Cf. LIMERENT a.
In form limerance after -ANCE.]
The state of being romantically infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically experienced involuntarily and characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one's feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship.
It has been suggested that this state results from fluctuations in the levels of various neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.
1977 D. TENNOV in Observer 11 Sept. 3/9, I first used the term ‘amorance’ then changed it back to ‘limerence’... It has no roots whatsoever. It looks nice. It works well in French. Take it from me it has no etymology whatsoever. 1981 L. LOCHHEAD Grimm Sisters 31 From limerance and venery She flinched as at fire. 1993 C. BIRCH Regaining Compassion for Nature i. 23 Real love, as distinct from limerence, does not destroy the freedom of the beloved. It does not violate the beloved's individual and social existence. 2001 Weekend Austral. (Nexis) 10 Feb. 18 Limerance isn't about reality, but a love state triggered by a rush of brain chemicals.
limerence, n.
Brit. /{sm}l{shti}m({schwa})r{schwa}ns/, U.S. /{sm}l{shti}m{schwa}r({schwa})ns/, /{sm}l{shti}mr({schwa})ns/ Forms: 19- limerance, limerence. [< limer-, app. an arbitrary element (cf. quot. 1977) + -ENCE. Cf. LIMERENT a.
In form limerance after -ANCE.]
The state of being romantically infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically experienced involuntarily and characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one's feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship.
It has been suggested that this state results from fluctuations in the levels of various neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.
1977 D. TENNOV in Observer 11 Sept. 3/9, I first used the term ‘amorance’ then changed it back to ‘limerence’... It has no roots whatsoever. It looks nice. It works well in French. Take it from me it has no etymology whatsoever. 1981 L. LOCHHEAD Grimm Sisters 31 From limerance and venery She flinched as at fire. 1993 C. BIRCH Regaining Compassion for Nature i. 23 Real love, as distinct from limerence, does not destroy the freedom of the beloved. It does not violate the beloved's individual and social existence. 2001 Weekend Austral. (Nexis) 10 Feb. 18 Limerance isn't about reality, but a love state triggered by a rush of brain chemicals.
Words that make me laugh
Sep. 16th, 2006 01:32 amThe english language has a number of words that just sound funny, or are funny to say.
Some of them, in my opinion, are:
pantaloons
bloomers
doubloons
fink
maroon (just about anything *oon*)
flabbergast
plunk
piddle
filch
wheeze
And I just learned filibeg, which is Scottish, but fun, anyway.
So, what about you? Do you have any words in your repertoire that amuse you just by their sound?
Some of them, in my opinion, are:
pantaloons
bloomers
doubloons
fink
maroon (just about anything *oon*)
flabbergast
plunk
piddle
filch
wheeze
And I just learned filibeg, which is Scottish, but fun, anyway.
So, what about you? Do you have any words in your repertoire that amuse you just by their sound?
You down with OED? Yeah, you know me!
Jun. 5th, 2006 06:00 pmI love the Oxford English Dictionary. I own a copy of it on CD. Unfortunately, that ensures I don't get free updates. I forget what the individual annual subscription was, but it was prohibitively expensive. I do, however, subscribe to the OED word-a-day. Which is moderately interesting. Why is it interesting? Because it gives you the word history. The word itself might be rather common, but how it was originally used that justified its addition to the dictionary is kind of fun.
Take the word "motorkhana". As you can see below, it's first known usage was 1967. Then it shows up again in 1981 in the Financial review. I'm unsure if there's a reason why they didn't quote a source between 67 and 81, but I think it unlikely that it didn't show up in a publication between those times. This gets really fun with old words, with some that show up in print in the 1200s or so.
Good word geeky fun.
However, they are still pretty darned expensive. I saw a link in this morning's email that I should check out their new, more affordable annual subscription. Wow! Only $295 a year. Yeah, how deep is my love for the OED? Not that deep.
motorkhana, n. DRAFT ENTRY Dec. 2002
Chiefly Austral. and N.Z.
Brit. /mtkn/, U.S. /modrkn/ Forms: 19- motorkana, motorkhana. [< MOTOR n. + -khana (in GYMKHANA n.).]
A motoring competition designed to test a variety of driving skills, and often comprising a series of events. Cf. GYMKHANA n.
1967 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 16 Mar. 14 The Queensland V.W. Club has selected 15 crews to represent the State against New South Wales in the motorkana at Brookfield. 1981 Financial Rev. (Austral.) 24 Apr. 38/1 The motorkhana was won by Kevin Jarman in his Porsche 911 Carrera Targa. 1991 Outrage Feb. 86/3 (advt.) Activities vary from video nights to motorkhanas. 2000 Even. Post (Wellington, N.Z.) (Nexis) 27 Apr. 27 Brader competes in races, sprints and motorkhanas in a 1950s TF and a 1963 Midget, and has won the Pierson Cup for motorkhana competition five times.
Take the word "motorkhana". As you can see below, it's first known usage was 1967. Then it shows up again in 1981 in the Financial review. I'm unsure if there's a reason why they didn't quote a source between 67 and 81, but I think it unlikely that it didn't show up in a publication between those times. This gets really fun with old words, with some that show up in print in the 1200s or so.
Good word geeky fun.
However, they are still pretty darned expensive. I saw a link in this morning's email that I should check out their new, more affordable annual subscription. Wow! Only $295 a year. Yeah, how deep is my love for the OED? Not that deep.
motorkhana, n. DRAFT ENTRY Dec. 2002
Chiefly Austral. and N.Z.
Brit. /mtkn/, U.S. /modrkn/ Forms: 19- motorkana, motorkhana. [< MOTOR n. + -khana (in GYMKHANA n.).]
A motoring competition designed to test a variety of driving skills, and often comprising a series of events. Cf. GYMKHANA n.
1967 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 16 Mar. 14 The Queensland V.W. Club has selected 15 crews to represent the State against New South Wales in the motorkana at Brookfield. 1981 Financial Rev. (Austral.) 24 Apr. 38/1 The motorkhana was won by Kevin Jarman in his Porsche 911 Carrera Targa. 1991 Outrage Feb. 86/3 (advt.) Activities vary from video nights to motorkhanas. 2000 Even. Post (Wellington, N.Z.) (Nexis) 27 Apr. 27 Brader competes in races, sprints and motorkhanas in a 1950s TF and a 1963 Midget, and has won the Pierson Cup for motorkhana competition five times.
Here's a word I won't use too often
Jul. 27th, 2005 06:55 pmFrom the Oxford English Dictionary Word-a-Day
enfeoff, v.
(nff) Forms: . 5 enfeffe, enfefe, 6 enfeoffe, 5- enfeoff. Also 5 enfeffee. . 5-7 infeof(f, 6 infeffe, 7 infeft. Also 6 infeoffee. See also ENFIEF. [a. OF. enfeffer, enfieffer (AF. enfeoffer), f. en- (see EN-1) + fief FIEF. In Anglo-Lat. infeoffre.]
1. trans. To invest with a fief; to put (a person) in possession of the fee-simple or fee-tail of lands, tenements, etc. Also absol. Const. in, of, on, later with; also simply.
1400-50 Alexander 2793 [Alexander] enfeffid aim belyue, In palais, in prouince, in principall regnes. 1411 SIR T. LANGEFORD in E.E. Wills (1882) 18 Y pray alle ow at bene enfeffeed in my londes..at e fulfylle my forseyd wylle. 1426 E.E. Wills (1882) 71 ay wolde enfeffe Philippe Dene on vj marces of rente. 1467 Mann. & Househ. Exp. 172 Karowe and I withe oder waren enfefed in a howese and land. 1531 Dial. Laws Eng. II. xvi. (1638) 86 The grantor enfeoffeth the grantee of one of the said acres. 1590 GREENE Fr. Bacon x. 14, I will enfeoff fair Margaret in all. 1611 SPEED Hist. Gt. Brit. IX. ix. (1632) 614 The Scottish King claimed that Country from King John, who by his deed enfeoffed him thereof. 1655 FULLER Ch. Hist. III. vi. ยง13 We..shall take such tenements into our hand, and shall enfeoffe others therein. 1785 BURKE Sp. Nabob Arcot's Debts Wks. IV. 308 A criminal..is..enfeoffed with an estate. 1818 CRUISE Digest I. 43 If the lord enfeoffs another of the tenancy, this makes the land frank fee. a1845 BARHAM Ingol. Leg. (1877) 337 The veteran was enfeoffed in the lands and Manor. 1876 BANCROFT Hist. U.S. I. xiii. 433 Charles II..enfeoffed his brother, the Duke of York, with the counties between Pemaquid and the St. Croix.
enfeoff, v.
(nff) Forms: . 5 enfeffe, enfefe, 6 enfeoffe, 5- enfeoff. Also 5 enfeffee. . 5-7 infeof(f, 6 infeffe, 7 infeft. Also 6 infeoffee. See also ENFIEF. [a. OF. enfeffer, enfieffer (AF. enfeoffer), f. en- (see EN-1) + fief FIEF. In Anglo-Lat. infeoffre.]
1. trans. To invest with a fief; to put (a person) in possession of the fee-simple or fee-tail of lands, tenements, etc. Also absol. Const. in, of, on, later with; also simply.
1400-50 Alexander 2793 [Alexander] enfeffid aim belyue, In palais, in prouince, in principall regnes. 1411 SIR T. LANGEFORD in E.E. Wills (1882) 18 Y pray alle ow at bene enfeffeed in my londes..at e fulfylle my forseyd wylle. 1426 E.E. Wills (1882) 71 ay wolde enfeffe Philippe Dene on vj marces of rente. 1467 Mann. & Househ. Exp. 172 Karowe and I withe oder waren enfefed in a howese and land. 1531 Dial. Laws Eng. II. xvi. (1638) 86 The grantor enfeoffeth the grantee of one of the said acres. 1590 GREENE Fr. Bacon x. 14, I will enfeoff fair Margaret in all. 1611 SPEED Hist. Gt. Brit. IX. ix. (1632) 614 The Scottish King claimed that Country from King John, who by his deed enfeoffed him thereof. 1655 FULLER Ch. Hist. III. vi. ยง13 We..shall take such tenements into our hand, and shall enfeoffe others therein. 1785 BURKE Sp. Nabob Arcot's Debts Wks. IV. 308 A criminal..is..enfeoffed with an estate. 1818 CRUISE Digest I. 43 If the lord enfeoffs another of the tenancy, this makes the land frank fee. a1845 BARHAM Ingol. Leg. (1877) 337 The veteran was enfeoffed in the lands and Manor. 1876 BANCROFT Hist. U.S. I. xiii. 433 Charles II..enfeoffed his brother, the Duke of York, with the counties between Pemaquid and the St. Croix.
