New Vocabulary, Courtesy of the Typographical Error
The two extremes of the continuum of
thought on the development of the English language are wildly divergent. One
end seems to feel that the dictionary should have been frozen about 50 years
ago. The other end believes anything goes with regards to language development.
The vast majority of the world (at least those who think about the matter) is
probably somewhere in the middle: deploring some changes as meaningless, while
thinking others add valuable nuance to a living language. Me, I will go down in
flames before I succumb to the dubious charms of "irregardless." However, two
typos have charmed me recently into thinking about linguistic expansion. They
are as follows (with thanks to Mel for the second word and assistance in coming
up with semi-precise definitions for
both):
rainly:
('rA-nlE)
adj.
- 1. The mundane dreariness associated with necessary, repetitive tasks.
Jill embarked upon her rainly morning
routine, checking websites for new job listings and calling networking contacts.
(Addendum: WoT? reader Maria Perez
notes that as she likes rain, an alternative definition of "rainly" is in
order.) 2. Invigorating, as if being sprinkled with freshness and renewal.
Maria sipped her morning coffee, feeling
rainly and energized by her long
sleep.
pibbynacker:
('pib-bE-nak-&r) -
n.
- One who draws negative attention to himself by committing acts of random,
minor destruction: Dash, a little
pibbynacker if ever there was one, was caught chewing on a houseplant and
sharpening his claws on the carpet.
also
v. -
pibbynacking:
('pib-bE-nak-i[ng]) - Acting in such a way as to be labeled a pibbynacker.
Locked in the bedroom, Dash wailed to be let
out, but decided on a course of pibbynacking by hiding under the bed instead of
coming out when Jill opened the
door.
Use them today in a
sentence.
Posted: Friday - November 12, 2004 at 10:56 AM
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