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News & ArtsFriday, September 4, 2009
Books / Teh Internets Adopt A Word Today
Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Bookninja links to the way too Flash-y website for Save The Words, an Oxford Dictionary-sponsored site dedicated to protecting words that are disappearing from the language.
I've seen this site before, but there is a new feature in which you can adopt a word. It will then be your responsibility to bring the word back to life, single-handedly. I passed up on one word (the first word I got was "utible," which means, basically, "usable." I am sorry, little utible, but you are a utiless word since there is another very similar word in heavy rotation) but the second word was pure gold.
I am now the proud foster parent of the word cynicocratical, which means "pertaining to rule by cynics." This is a word that is very pertinent to the world today, and I will take good care of it.
2
I adopted keleusmatically, only to find that a) it's probably a singleton neologism, and b) it's already been adopted by at least two others on the interwebs.
Sorry little adopted word, but I kick you to the curb.
Sorry little adopted word, but I kick you to the curb.
3
I adopted misqueme, which means to displease. I think I can do a lot with that word. I'll be very misquemed with myself if I fail.
4
I adoped loquacious. And as extra-credit, would like to encourage the use of the phrase "the sauce."
5
that is really cool! at first i got "tussicate" which apparently means to cough, so i did it again and got suffarcinate, or "to pack tightly." i like the word but have no idea how to pronounce it. each word should come with a pronunciation guide.
7
"So, I was talking to the guy who works at the fruit stand, and he said...."
Does "loquacious" really need adopting? I use it at least a few times per year. My new baby is "oporoporist" meaning fruit seller. It is fun to say (try it!) and it describes someone for whom we all need a word.
"So, I was talking to my oporoporist today, and he said....."
Does "loquacious" really need adopting? I use it at least a few times per year. My new baby is "oporoporist" meaning fruit seller. It is fun to say (try it!) and it describes someone for whom we all need a word.
"So, I was talking to my oporoporist today, and he said....."
8
I hardly think of loquacious as being an endangered word. Maybe it's due to the fact that I'm in a library all day.
9
How many of these words are absurd latin root words that were inserted by aristocrats in the 1800's and how many of these are germanic root words that are legitimately part of the english language?
10
I wouldn't adopt a latinate word on principle; they don't need saving. The worthwhile ones will save themselves. Sadly, there's very little Anglo-Saxon on the site.
I'll go for "homerkin", a measure of beer. Dunno how big it is; I'm not that fond of beer, anyways. But it contains "merkin", which is sweet.
I also adopted "long play", which isn't a word, but a good thing nonetheless -- though I would wager it's usually found as "long player". Thank you, Columbia Records.
I'll go for "homerkin", a measure of beer. Dunno how big it is; I'm not that fond of beer, anyways. But it contains "merkin", which is sweet.
I also adopted "long play", which isn't a word, but a good thing nonetheless -- though I would wager it's usually found as "long player". Thank you, Columbia Records.
11
Whoops - that's "oporopolist," not "oporoporist." You kids all look the same to me anyhow. Now go fetch daddy a beer.
12
What's with all the hatin' on latin?
And no, loquacious does not need saving. I hear it frequently.
And no, loquacious does not need saving. I hear it frequently.
15
Yesterday, an article in Slate used "heresiographer," which is someone who documents heresies. I love it now.
16
First of all, "latin" isn't the same thing as "latinate". English words that come from latin (or Greek) roots frequently have value, but all the flavor comes from Anglo-Saxon (and other sources, like the Celtic languages). Which is sexier, "fuck", or "intercourse"? Which would you rather have on your toast, a dollop, a smidgen, a spoonful, a bit, or a ration?
17
magistricide, knew there had to be a word for this...
And +1 to loquacious not needing to be saved.
And +1 to loquacious not needing to be saved.
18
If I adopt more than like three, I'll never be able to remember them all, but there are a bunch of P words that are so great:
pilimiction - passing of hair-like bodies in the urine
ptochology - the study of beggars and unemployment
pregnatress - female power that generates or gives birth to something
papicolist - one who worships the pope
pilimiction - passing of hair-like bodies in the urine
ptochology - the study of beggars and unemployment
pregnatress - female power that generates or gives birth to something
papicolist - one who worships the pope
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