Wackadoodle Just the other day I had this clue in a crossword puzzle: “not completely whack-a-doodle.” The answer they wanted was “sane.” Until that moment, I’d never heard that word before. I know, you are probably thinking I’ve led a sheltered life. In some ways, I probably have. I checked out the definition online andContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 13”
Tag Archives: weird words
Weird Words, Part 12
Bumfuzzle I like the way this word sounds. I can’t recall ever using it in a conversation, but one day I might. You never know. Apparently, I’d be in good company. Read on. I looked for it in my 1972 edition of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, but it was not listed.Continue reading “Weird Words, Part 12”
Weird Words, Part 11
Nincompoop Even though the word “nincompoop” is considered to be colloquial, it’s claimed that it has a very learned past. One account reports that it stems from non compos mentis, which is Latin for “not of right mind.” It’s claimed that it was once actually a legal term. The idea of a lawyer using thatContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 11”
Weird Words, Part 10
Foofaraw This word is said to have originated in the American West where it has been spelled as “fofaraw” and “froufraw.” There are also other spellings. In writings of the Pioneer West, it was used to describe the frivolous trinkets, baubles, and gewgaws (there’s another weird word) used in trade. It is also considered toContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 10”
Weird Words, Part 9
Oopsy-daisy I don’t use this much in its entirety, but I have been heard to say oops or whoops in polite company. When I’m alone, I might be a bit more colorful. A while back, while buying a new battery for my husband’s car, the handle broke as I was picking it up. I slammedContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 9”
Weird Words, Part 8
Hunky-dory That’s a word you don’t hear very often any more. I’ll call it a word and not a phrase because it is hyphenated. I’m not picking nits. It’s just that I like to make my article titles accurate and relevant to the body of the article. Really. Well, mostly anyway. Now, where was I?Continue reading “Weird Words, Part 8”
Weird Words, Part 7
Preface No seriously, this is a preface and it’s not about the word “preface.” Although, it is kind of a weird word if you think about it too much. I tend to do that … think about words too much. Many times to the point where they suddenly seem meaningless. I got hung up onContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 7”
Weird Words, Part 6
Finagle I am hoping, really hoping, that quite a few of you use this word regularly. Hopefully, too, it isn’t just the over-the-hill crowd who uses it. I frequently think that my use of such words dates me. I mean I don’t look over-the-hill yet, right? Oh well, give it up Dianne. It’s a lostContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 6”
Weird Words, Part 5
Flummox Don’t ask me when I used this word last. I couldn’t tell you. But it wasn’t all that long ago. Usually, you will hear it (when you hear it, which isn’t probably all that often really) with an “ed“ on the end of it. I don’t use it often, but when I do, IContinue reading “Weird Words, Part 5”
Weird Words 4
Piaffe And no, it isn’t edible and I haven’t forgotten how to spell (the French seem to have a much harder time spelling than I do). You are probably thinking of “pilaf” and it usually has the word “rice” in front of it. The horse world is just chock full of weird words. Many ofContinue reading “Weird Words 4”
Maddie's Mom Writes 