GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

Post by **Ghost** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:18 am

Word of the Day Wednesday, August 19, 2009

furbelow\FUR-buh-low\ , noun: 1. A pleated or gathered flounce on a woman's garment; a ruffle. 2. Something showy or superfluous; a bit of showy ornamentation.

In a season of ruffles, frills and furbelows, simple cuts in neutral shades stand out.
-- "Designers Head for Neutral Territory", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 27, 1997

Patience is required to get past some of the director's more baroque cinematic touches, decorating the story's dark center with visual furbelows . . . and aural gimmicks.
-- Lisa Schwarzbaum, "Movies: The Evil That Men Do", Entertainment Weekly, October 23, 1998

It is a story that, for all its hyper-animatedness, all its flips and furbelows of style, is confusing and wearisome.
-- Christine Stansell, "Details, Details", New Republic, December 10, 2001

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Furbelow is perhaps an alteration of Italian faldella.

hiram · Post by **hiram** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:58 pm

If EPS starts waxing poetic about the fur below his Grandmother's furbelow (which in turn lies below her fur coat), I'm running for the hills.

E Pericoloso Sporgersi · Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:51 am

hiram wrote:If EPS starts waxing poetic about the fur below his Grandmother's furbelow (which in turn lies below her fur coat), I'm running for the hills.

Good one!

My ruffles, frills and furbelows are trampled and stomped to an unsightly mess. This time.

Have I already told you about my grandma's capacious fur bellows? You might need it for your campfire in the hills.

Post by **Ghost** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:19 am

Word of the Day Thursday, August 20, 2009

perorate\PUR-uh-rayt\ , intransitive verb: 1. To conclude or sum up a long discourse. 2. To speak or expound at length; to declaim.

These people don't talk, they perorate, pontificate, bombast.
-- Jean Charbonneau, "Biographer's quest becomes self-searching journey", Denver Post, January 28, 2001

Our mother favored a staccato, stand-up style; if our father could perorate, she could condense.
-- Annie Dillard, "The Leg In The Christmas Stocking: What We Learned From Jokes", New York Times, December 7, 1986

You may perorate endlessly.
-- Richard Elman, "A Rap on Race", New York Times, June 27, 1971

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Perorate comes from Latin perorare "to speak at length or to the end," from per-, "through, throughout," + orare, "to speak."

E Pericoloso Sporgersi · Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:57 am

My dear grandma was never much for perorating.

She was convinced, and rightly so, that unbuttoning and opening her fur coat sufficed to attract gazes in the right direction, namely her Venus-de-Milo-esque figure *with* arms.

Considering the number of dropped jaws and raised eyelids, she was quite right.

Post by **Ghost** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:05 am

Word of the Day Friday, August 21, 2009

stultify\STUHL-tuh-fahy\ , verb: 1. To render useless or ineffectual; cripple. 2. To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous. 3. Law To allege or prove insane and so not legally responsible.

The word "civilization" to my mind is coupled with death. When I use the word, I see civilization as a crippling, thwarting thing, a stultifying thing. For me it was always so. I don't believe in the golden ages, you see... civilization is the arteriosclerosis of culture.
-- Henry Miller,

It's different playâ€¦ they're so busy building, they don't realize," says Kling. Although she notes that companies like Lego produce praiseworthy technological games, some technology can "stultify" children, but then, she adds, so can some board games.
-- Mel Bezalel, "Fun and games - and more", Jerusalem Post, July 27, 2009

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Stultify is from Late Latin stultificāre, "to make foolish."

E Pericoloso Sporgersi · Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:01 am

hiram wrote:If EPS starts waxing poetic about the fur below his Grandmother's furbelow (which in turn lies below her fur coat), I'm running for the hills.

Though you try to stultify my efforts, your endeavour shall remain futile. My grandma being my idol, I will always continue to pridefully praise and glorify her fur-wrapped memory.

And beware her furry fury, when unleashed through me ...

Post by **Ghost** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:25 am

Word of the Day Monday, August 24, 2009

flout\FLOWT\ , transitive verb: 1. To treat with contempt and disregard; to show contempt for.
intransitive verb: 1. To mock, to scoff.
noun: 1. Mockery, scoffing.

The thorough training in the fine points of lyric writing that he has received from Hammerstein has made Sondheim highly critical of those lyricists who flout the basic techniques of the craft.
-- "Sondheim: Lyricist and Composer", New York Times, March 6, 1966
Seth and Dorothy were completely mystified by Janis's determination to flout as many social conventions as she could.
-- Alice Echols, Scars of Sweet Paradise

Who put your beauty to this flout and scorn
By dressing it in rags.
-- Tennyson, Idylls of the King

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Flout comes from Middle English flouten, "to play the flute."

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:40 am

The truth is out.
These words so chosen say
we now can shout,
"It's skill we flout."

"Word of the Day"
It's fun; we have gales
of laughs each play.
Come, start today.

Grandsons' fur tales
all are really fine but
too many males.
Mix in more "frails".

No, don't say "but!"
There is no good excuse.
None here "Tut, tut."
Help break our rut.

Post by **Ghost** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:09 am

Word of the Day Wednesday, August 26, 2009

rictus\RIK-tuhs\ , noun: 1. The gape of the mouth, as of birds. 2. A gaping grin or grimace.

A rictus of cruel malignity lit up greyly their old bony faces.
-- James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
His belly swelled grotesquely, his hands curled, his cheeks puffed out, his mouth contorted in a rictus of pain and astonishment.
-- Tony Horwitz, Confederates in the Attic

Then, as the sympathy and praise engulfed him, Hector would invariably roll over onto his back, legs in the air, his mouth twisted into an otherworldly rictus.
-- Bruce McCall, "Writers Who Were Really Dogs", New York Times, June 5, 1994

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Rictus is from Latin rictus, "the open mouth," from ringi, "to show the teeth."

E Pericoloso Sporgersi · Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:36 am

Algot Runeman wrote:The truth is out.
...
"Word of the Day"
It's fun; we have gales
of laughs each play.
...
Grandsons' fur tales
all are really fine but
...
None here "Tut, tut."
Help break our rut.

Should I contort my face with a rictus of remorse or roll on the floor with peals of laughter?

I don't doubt Hiram would opt for the latter (or he might run for the hills).

As for my grandma ... her furs were highly selective: compliments tended to stick while anything else slid off disregarded.

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:30 pm

EPS asked:

Should I contort my face with a rictus of remorse or roll on the floor with peals of laughter?

I would opt for neither, prolific one. It is wonderful to read the further adventures of your fur bearing forebears (four bears?) and their carefully groomed, hirsute, probably portable, pelts. I lean on your courtesy, if not your windows, to accept my rudeimentary jests, as I enjoy all your entries.

I was simply taking rhyming poetic license, though I am neither licensed nor poetic, by seeking a wider base of contribution (no, I didn't say base contribution). This forum is fun. It makes sense to me that more fun occurs when more contributions occur from a wider variety of contributors.

My intent was to encourage at least two, anyone and all, to join in, also, too, in addition, as well...grammar be d---ed. It also seems that the "gentlemen" have recently dominated. I am eager to see MISS* use of these daily words as much as I am eager to see inadvertent or intentional misuse.

I ask for no bird-brained rictus for any sort of pecking order and seek to speak less of beak and more with cheek (tongue firmly planted within).

The hot air, now clearly blowing very strongly from my own beak, has filled my balloon and I now float away, even if only a few feet above the ground, ballast removal not being quickly accomplished.

* Ms., Mrs., etc.

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:33 pm

Tick, Tick...

As the 48 hours since the last post passes...

I withdraw, beaten.

I shall return, energized and with hope for heaps of Hiram and Careful Window Leaners. Maybe the impending return of life at school will promote participation in a way that the final days in the sun at the beach cannot.

Post by **Ghost** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:09 pm

Word of the Day Friday, August 28, 2009

delectation\dee-lek-TAY-shun\ , noun: 1. Great pleasure; delight, enjoyment.

Even after the buffet had evolved into the more functional sideboard in the 18th century, lavish arrangements of silver and porcelain continued to be laid out for the delectation of guests at large dinners.
-- Pilar Viladas, "That's Entertaining!", New York Times, March 24, 2002

At other times she'll get so worked up by some pet poeticism that she forgets she's not writing just for her own delectation.
-- David Klinghoffer, "Black madonna", National Review, February 9, 1998

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Delectation derives from Latin delectatio, from the past participle of delectare, "to please."

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:17 pm

Ghost clearly selected the WOtD to celebrate his delectation at my withdrawl, unless it is in reaction to my intent to return even stronger. No beach visit for me tomorrow. It is closed because of tropical storm winds, high waves and rip currents, which leads me to the famous song:

"Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes [surfer reference], the pipes are callin'."

E Pericoloso Sporgersi · Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:24 am

An equivalent expression for "My Grandma Dropping her Fur Coat from her Buff" is "delectation". Need I say more?

P.S.
I have been furiously sorting and packing cherished objects and discarding obsolete possessions in preparation to moving to a smallish apartment in another town.

My presence in the IBDoF forum suffered from a lack of time. And it gets worse before it gets better. I shall be without internet access from midnight today until September 10th or so. Will I be rid of my addiction or will I crave it even more? Well, let's wait and see what happens.

I hope you all (Ghost, Algot, Hiram, VorAlfred, SweetHarleyDarling and many others) will be here upon my return. Meanwhile I begged my grandma to keep a benevolent eye on you guys.

Take care!

Francis

voralfred · Post by **voralfred** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:32 pm

I've been away for a while, and I find with delectation that this thread has not grown stultified while I was away, but is as propitious as ever. This applies also fur you, EPS

Post by **Ghost** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:24 am

Word of the Day Monday, August 31, 2009

diktat\dik-TAHT\ , noun: 1. A harsh settlement unilaterally imposed on a defeated party. 2. An authoritative decree or order.

Whether with the rapid reaction force or with the Bosnian government, the United States should vigorously support efforts to lift the siege of Sarajevo and help to piece back together a contiguous territory so that the Bosnian government can come to the bargaining table free of a Serbian diktat.
-- "Why Bosnia matters", Commonweal, July 14, 1995

And it would begin to encroach on another, more treasured, freedom: the right of the networks to broadcast what they choose independent of government diktat.
-- "Back to the smoke-filled room?", The Economist, February 25, 1995

Other important figures in the game said the problems would be better dealt with voluntarily than by diktat.
-- Denis Campbell, "Fifa back Vieira", The Guardian, September 22, 2002

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Diktat comes from German, from Latin dictatum, neuter past participle of dictare, "to dictate." It is related to dictator.

voralfred · Post by **voralfred** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:02 am

As I understand it, more than 5 years ago, Brad (now known as Darb, a.k.a. hiram) has diktatorially edicted (without even a rictus of remorse) a diktat sentencing poor Ghost to hard labor for perpetuity (what else!): the quotidian posting of the WOTD.

And for our delectation, instead of flouting this diktat, and undulating away under cover of his disembodiment, Ghost has faithfully fulfilled his obligation.

Thanks a lot, Invisible One!

CodeBlower · Post by **CodeBlower** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:54 am

Ghost wrote:diktat

Am I the only one who cringed when I pronounced this word in my mind?

That's gotta hurt ..

voralfred · Post by **voralfred** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:48 am

Some words are even worse, for some of us:
- some people on this forum might be have severe allergic reaction upon eating a dika nut (Sue? any known allergy to this edible oil-rich seed of wild mango)
- ask SHG how she'd feel about a diktation

(or ask my wife, for that matter, but from the opposite end: she is a teacher, and that word for her means endless hours of correcting)

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:24 pm

Imagine, if you will, a fan of the Detroit Pistons being so enthusiastic about his NBA basketball stars that he names his son "Richard Tayshaun Whatever". Would his nickname have to automatically be "Secretary"? Though perhaps the more linguistically adventurous could consider "Steno" and his residence then would be "Steno's Pad". The others might call him "Gregg".

I will enforce by diktat that a rictus grin is appropriate reaction, here.

Wordplay Translator:

Spoiler: show

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:50 pm

Once, in the long distant past, a Texas Ranger rarely sat alone beside the beautiful fountain of the local alcalde's hacienda. At times of fiesta, Lee enjoyed the companionship of many who ate from the trestle tables spread with mounds of local and exotic produce and danced round and round in colorful costumes begging a scribe's descriptive power.

Now it is quiet at the fountain, a trickle of water barely drips over it's tiled rim, dusty as the swirls of occasionally gusty zephyrs imitate the absent dancers.

Lee has been keeping his quill handy, sharpened and ready for use, but isn't motivated to write by the tasteless grit of dust as it shifts about the plaza before him.

No, he just sits, hoping for a return of better times. He is Lone Lee.

Post by **Ghost** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:49 pm

Word of the Day Friday, September 11, 2009

puissant\PWISS-uhnt; PYOO-uh-suhnt; pyoo-ISS-uhnt\ , adjective: 1. Powerful; strong; mighty; as, a puissant prince or empire.

As an upcoming young corporate lawyer in San Francisco in the 1930's, Crum tended the interests of some of California's most puissant businesses, starting with William Randolph Hearst's newspaper empire.
-- Richard Lingeman, "The Last Party", New York Times, April 27, 1997

If we are to believe that country's literary pundits, "irreparable damage to a great British institution" may soon be done by an invading army more puissant than Hannibal's or Alexander's, an army Marching out of the creative writing schools of American universities, leaving Will Shakespeare's sceptred isle "smothered amid a landslide of books from the US".
-- Jonathan Yardley, "Bring on the Yanks", The Guardian, June 5, 2002

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Puissant is from Old French puissant, "powerful," ultimately from (assumed) Vulgar Latin potere, alteration of Latin posse, "to be able." The noun form is puissance.

Algot Runeman · Post by **Algot Runeman** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:20 pm

Thanks, Ghost.

Lone Lee now feels more like Li of China, hardly "lone".

Quill poised, seeking a particularly puissant phrase to catch the spirit of the word, one cannot come up short this time.

Others are watching, wanting only a bold swipe of broom against the dust, they will call forth the musicians. They will spread bright drapes on the tables for the fiesta. Call out the cooks.

WOTD's plumber has opened wide the fountain's spigot.

Let the dance begin again!