SOME MORE ‘NOT SO FAMILIAR’ TERMS
LOLLYGAG [VERB]
The term refers to the habit of spending time aimlessly or
with no defined purpose. For instance, we may visit a distant place where two
successive functions are to be held on two different days in a week with a gap
of just two days. [Assume the dates to be 8th and 11th].
Soon after the event on 8th, we need to spend 48 hours+ with nothing
to do. Just a few relatives choose to hang around the place. The place does not
hold any tourist interest either. So, on 9th and 10th,
those staying back keep LOLLYGAGGING. Such persons are Lollygaggers. Both LOLLYGAG and LALLYGAG are used.
SNOLLYGOSTER [Noun]
The term is applicable to shrewd but unprincipled person. Too
often, the term eminently suits politicians who read grand opportunities even
in routine functions or simple projects. The first usage of the term is
suggested to have been in 1845, describing unprincipled act of some politicians in
USA. Practically, the term had been nearly forgotten till 2009 , when it
resurfaced in British parliament over the expenses on MPs.
SIALOQUENT [Adjective]
It is an interesting word. It refers to the tendency of
spraying saliva while speaking. The students
who eagerly occupy frontline with fond hopes of receiving clear
instructions from proximity, also experience and suffer from the saliva spray
of the teacher however innocent the teacher is. SIALOQUENCE is the Noun form.
MALARKEY [Noun]
Malarkey refers to indecent or silly behaviour and generally
disliked by many. It also suggests insincere or foolish behaviour. Quite often
the term ‘malarkey’ is used to describe ‘politicians’ gimmicks to win over
public opinion by using ‘decorated’ words. Malarkey is used as a compact
expression of summarizing a political speech as full of malarkey.
WABBIT [adjective]
The term refers to the state of being tired or exhausted. In
computer application, any self replicating programme within the same computer [but does not spread like a virus] is referred to as Wabbit;
appears to be a suggestion of ‘rapid multiplication like ‘rabbit’.If someone
feels slightly tired [s]he tells, I feel
a bit of wabbit. Most Dictionaries are conveniently'Silent' about the noun form. Do we take that they feel a lot 'wabbit' trying to figure out the noun?
FLIBBERTIGIBBET [Noun]
The term refers to a person who is highly talkative or silly
[or both]. A devil in KING LEAR –a Shakespearean play was named
Flibbertigibbet. Possibly Shakespeare associated silly endless talk to the act
of Devils if his choice for naming a devil had been any indication.
Prof. K. Raman
There are words which we have not at all heard
ReplyDeleteOmmetaphobia
Fear of eyes . This word may be derived from ommatidium that refers to insect eyes
Kakirrhaphiophobia
Fear of failure
Ulotrichous - Curly hair
K.Venkataraman
Very interesting article. We do come across many personalities depicted by these words.
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