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Post by art on Mar 28, 2014 10:35:39 GMT
Am intrigued with obscure or outlandish word(s), or phrases, which perhaps aren't used in every day language. Thus, shall start this thread for participant's engaging with this idiosyncratic subject.
Obdiplostemonous: plant which qualifies being Obdiplostemonous and can be defined having two stamen sets. With outer series in opposite petals and inner series alternating within them.
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Post by eowyn on Mar 28, 2014 15:01:49 GMT
Slubberdegullion: either means this fiend, filthy, louse, slobbering person, sloven or villain. Some worthless person being drunk and/or alcoholic.
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Post by headboi on Mar 29, 2014 12:34:31 GMT
Will-o'-the-Wisp: comes from 'wisp'; sticks' bundle or paper sometimes used for some torch, and name 'Will' (will-of-the-torch).
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Post by romany on Mar 29, 2014 12:57:32 GMT
Boustrophedonic: from Greek words: 'Boustrophe-Don' (turning like oxen in plowing), 'Bous' (ox, cow) and 'Strephein' (to turn); this ancient method for writing using alternate left-to-right and right-to-left lines. Used for optimisation performed from some computer typesetting software and moving-head printers; reducing physical movement for printer head. Adverbial: 'Boustrophedonically' (form) also found.
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Post by tinkerbell on Mar 29, 2014 13:04:44 GMT
Colcannon night associated with some dish for halloween. In Ireland years ago, was usual marking thy day serving up traditional dish for: Calcannon or Colcannon. Made from potatoes and cabbage, perhaps with other vegetables, like: leeks, spinach or hedgerow greens. With some little butter, cream or bacon fat added.
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Post by ushas on Mar 29, 2014 13:08:54 GMT
Crinkum-Crankum: related for this older: 'Crinkle-Crankle' and 'Cringle-Crangle'. Both based on crankle, meaning either bend, curve or twist. Subsequently, this derives from either Crank (something winding), Cranny, Crevice, Crooked or Inaccessible hole. Where in some sense, had been borrowed from this handle.
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Post by vixen on Mar 30, 2014 11:06:17 GMT
Curtain Lecture: private reprimand given husband from his wife (hence called because originally given for their curtained bed).
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Post by atm on Mar 30, 2014 11:11:02 GMT
Flibbertigibbet means some frivolous, flighty or excessively talkative person.
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Post by dieseldyke on Apr 1, 2014 13:17:36 GMT
Nut-Crack Night: old Scots and northern English name for Halloween, during night in 31 October, otherwise called some oracle for nuts. When chill during Autumn pervaded their homes, people would sit around their fires, eating newly harvested hazelnuts or chestnuts. Several fortune-telling customs grew up that involved throwing nuts into their fire, hence these names for this night. One young man might give each nut this name for his possible sweetheart and watched seeing which burned brightest in those flames.
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Post by jet on Apr 2, 2014 10:47:13 GMT
Pulchritude: noun has been in our language since early Fifteenth Century. Derives from this latin word: 'Pulchritudo', whose origin came from 'Pulcher', meaning beautiful.
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Post by qtee on Apr 3, 2014 17:20:09 GMT
Roister-Doiste: this older word form we can write today. Roisterer, this extended version, which entered our language, when Sir Walter Scott wrote this way from Abbotsford in 1820.
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Post by art on Apr 4, 2014 13:05:27 GMT
Skimble-Skamble: this has usually meant something for rambling and confused or perhaps rubbishy. Whatever slight popularity this word ever achieved, came from first known user, William Shakespeare. Whom put this into hotspur in King Henry IV (part i)'s. He complained about what Continually bending his ear with "such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff / as puts me from my faith". Consequently, Skimble-Skamble stuff turns up from time to time in later Centuries about criticism for someone's writing or opinions.
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Post by buffy on Apr 4, 2014 13:45:03 GMT
Anthropodermic: surprisingly, though being rare and remarkable, this isn't unique. Archivists even have a name for this: Anthropodermic Bibliopegy. Which, being translated from this decent obscurity for some ancient tongue. Literally means no more than binding for books in human skin.
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Post by kizz on Apr 8, 2014 12:08:35 GMT
Circumbendibus: this word was created in late Seventeenth Century, like humorous fake Latin. Meaning some roundabout process or method, twist or turn; or circumlocution.
From circum (around), plus English bend and Latin Ibus (ending). Which, neatly bringing us all full circle, like ending in Omnibus. Thus, this source from Bus.
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Post by widdershins on Apr 9, 2014 10:15:07 GMT
Discombobulate: originated from wild frontier in USA, this became life sometime in 1830s, expressing some idea for confusing or disconcerting another person.
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