xbevisx

Every now and then the annoying MSN Today news thingy that pops up with MSN Messenger actually shows me something that could be mildly interesting. Indeed today it did not fail. This article about English words that aren't really in use anymore. I love stuff like this, flowery language from our past: Here's the words I ripped out of the article for your enjoyment:

A
Anatiferous: a barnacle that produces ducks or geese. It was once thought that a particular kind of growth on trees was responsible for the creation of water-based wildfowl. Superstition said that when the barnacle reached a certain size it would drop off, and if it fell into water it would turn into a duck or a goose.

B
Buffleheaded: a man with a large head, or someone who is dull and stupid.

C
Circumferoneous: to stroll around your neighbourhood from house from house.

D
Dandiprat: an urchin.

E
Eftsoons: soon afterwards, or repeatedly.

F
Fribbler: a verb to describe someone who is vocal in their appreciation of women, but who is also nervous of their consent. For example: "He fribbled his colleague in front of everyone in the office, and then backed off as soon as he noticed she was interested."

G
Giglet: a wanton, lascivious girl, from the Middle English word 'gigelot'.

H
Hunkers: your haunches.

I
Impecunious: penniless.

J
Jobbernowl: an idiot.

K
Kakistocracy: a form of government whose rulers are the least competent, least qualified or most unprincipled of all citizens.

L
Lustrum: a period of five years.

M
Merrythought: a wishbone.

N
Nidget: a fool, or coward.

O
Odontalgick: a toothache.

P
Parbreak: to throw out, or to vomit.

Q
Queer street: a tricky situation, such as being in debt or bankruptcy. For example: "If this goes on much longer, I'll be in queer street."

R
Runnion: a mangy or ill-kempt creature (can also be 'ronion' or 'ronyon').

S
Snudge: a verb, meaning to be idle. For example: "She snudged around the house until teatime."

T
Trug: a long, shallow basket for carrying flowers or fruit.

U
Urinator: a diver; one who searches under water.

V
Vellicate: a medical term for a substance or medicine that has a sharp or acrid effect; or anything that nips or pinches the body (from the Latin 'vellere', meaning to pull, pluck, or twitch).

W
Warray: a verb, meaning to make war. For example: "This country means to warray upon France".

X
Xenoglossia: an ability claimed by some mediums and clairvoyants to speak a language with which they are unfamiliar.

Y
Younker: a young gentleman or knight.

Z
Zounds: a mild oath indicating indignation or surprise; derived from the 16th century oath 'God's wounds'.

It is pretty amazing to think that people believed that ducks and geese grew as barnacles on trees! Brilliant.

Also in the news was a trailer for Jennifer's Body which looks rather interesting and not just for the obvious may I add. That's just a bonus.

3 of my CDs turned up today. Grade, Botch and Meshuggah. So much excellent music to listen through. And I really love the cover art for the Grade CD. I'll have to scan it in some point and show ya all.

Thinking about moving that triangle based tattoo I designed from my left forearm to my left calf/shin area when I get it done. Maybe keep my arms in the same/similar style as each other (i.e. Japanese/traditional). Opinions please.

Tell me your favourite weird words!

Notable band for the day: Tortoise.