Missing 'kablooey' - a literal or figurative explosion, "Everything went kablooey".
I wonder how many of these words were invented. I recognize at least two from literary history:
#93, Snickersnee is clearly derived from Lewis Carroll's famous nonsense poem The Jabberwocky - "One, two, one two, and through and through, the vorpal blade went snicker-snack."
#71, Panjandrum is from the fabled reading test by Samuel Foote, which he wrote to challenge actor Charles Macklin, who boasted he could remember anything after reading it once - reportedly, Macklin failed the challenge:
'So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf to make a apple pie; and at the same time a great she bear, coming down the street, pops its head into the shop. What! No soap! So he died, and she, very imprudently married the Barber: and there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the great Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top; and they all fell to playing the game of catch-as-catch-can, till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots.' - by Samuel Foote
I love this pufinstuf! The more English eccentric the word usage, the better, particularly when teamed with snark and a hint of irony a la Lemony Snicket. I pulled the word "trippet" out of the air, never thinking I'd heard of it before and did a search. Sure enough, it's a real word. "trippet is a mechanical component—specifically a cam, projection, or lever—designed to strike another part at regular intervals. My usage was "the trippets of human kindness." Thanks for making my day!
Discombobulate is a great word that (like disgruntle) implies another word that's rarely employed: Combobulate: Here's the definition:
Com-bo-bu-late (Verb) To put together in a somewhat mysterious manner. To bring something out of a state of confusion or disarray. To manufacture by some unusual or novel means. Antonym: discombobulate.
Also:
combobulate (present participle combobulating, simple past and past participle combobulated): To compose (one's self); to compose, organize, design, or arrange; to reverse the effect of discombobulation.
"After losing his train of thought, the teacher took a deep breath and attempted to combobulate himself."
A friend and I were recently reflecting on "combobulate." We affirmed the importance of engaging in combobulating conversations. And he said, "What about co-combobulating conversations?" That's sheer poetry. I now feel inspired to cultivate a contagion of co-combobulating conversations.
I love words. When I lived in NYC in the 1980s I first heard Yiddish and the tickle inside never went away because it was the best expressions of a people I came to love.
I also have another list I titled "Word Hoard," that includes uncommon words that tickle my fancy. Many of them come from things I read on Substack. The list contains words like "ailurophile," "estivate," "panopticon," and perhaps my favorite, "syzygy."
Missing 'kablooey' - a literal or figurative explosion, "Everything went kablooey".
I wonder how many of these words were invented. I recognize at least two from literary history:
#93, Snickersnee is clearly derived from Lewis Carroll's famous nonsense poem The Jabberwocky - "One, two, one two, and through and through, the vorpal blade went snicker-snack."
#71, Panjandrum is from the fabled reading test by Samuel Foote, which he wrote to challenge actor Charles Macklin, who boasted he could remember anything after reading it once - reportedly, Macklin failed the challenge:
'So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf to make a apple pie; and at the same time a great she bear, coming down the street, pops its head into the shop. What! No soap! So he died, and she, very imprudently married the Barber: and there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the great Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top; and they all fell to playing the game of catch-as-catch-can, till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots.' - by Samuel Foote
I love everything about this comment—especially the Foote story and the correction for “kablooey”! Outrageous oversight on my part.
I love this pufinstuf! The more English eccentric the word usage, the better, particularly when teamed with snark and a hint of irony a la Lemony Snicket. I pulled the word "trippet" out of the air, never thinking I'd heard of it before and did a search. Sure enough, it's a real word. "trippet is a mechanical component—specifically a cam, projection, or lever—designed to strike another part at regular intervals. My usage was "the trippets of human kindness." Thanks for making my day!
Trippet is a wonderful word. So many words just have a lightness and play in them that it’s fun just speaking them aloud.
Discombobulate is a great word that (like disgruntle) implies another word that's rarely employed: Combobulate: Here's the definition:
Com-bo-bu-late (Verb) To put together in a somewhat mysterious manner. To bring something out of a state of confusion or disarray. To manufacture by some unusual or novel means. Antonym: discombobulate.
Also:
combobulate (present participle combobulating, simple past and past participle combobulated): To compose (one's self); to compose, organize, design, or arrange; to reverse the effect of discombobulation.
"After losing his train of thought, the teacher took a deep breath and attempted to combobulate himself."
A friend and I were recently reflecting on "combobulate." We affirmed the importance of engaging in combobulating conversations. And he said, "What about co-combobulating conversations?" That's sheer poetry. I now feel inspired to cultivate a contagion of co-combobulating conversations.
I’ve never considered combobulate! But I will now employ it daily.
This is like "disgruntled". Is it possible to be happy and gruntled?
I’m feeling pretty gruntled right now, I think.
All that's missing is the name of a famous Southern U.S. supermarket chain: Piggily Wiggily.
An embarrassing oversight.
I love words. When I lived in NYC in the 1980s I first heard Yiddish and the tickle inside never went away because it was the best expressions of a people I came to love.
Love it. So many great words come into English through Yiddish.
Excellent! I made a note in Evernote based on your list. Thanks!
That warms my heart.
I also have another list I titled "Word Hoard," that includes uncommon words that tickle my fancy. Many of them come from things I read on Substack. The list contains words like "ailurophile," "estivate," "panopticon," and perhaps my favorite, "syzygy."
That list was like happening upon a bad car wreck, not something I'd ever want to see but once I started looking I couldn't make myself stop.
I succeeded! And you’re welcome!