Words by William Robinson
8 words contributed
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"The Stream of Life." The sociological and psychological effects of alcohol on
life. A portmanteau of "aa", meaning a stream and "zymurgy", pertaining to beer
and brewing. Indeed James Death in his 1868 "The Beer of the Bible", claimed
that the the manna from heaven that God gave the Israelites was a bread-based
beer.6/25/07 -
After John Brandrick, a 62 year old man from Cornwall who, upon being told in
2005 that he was suffering from incurable cancer and had less than a year to
live, went on a spending spree. In 2007 the Royal Cornwall Hospital advised him
that the diagnosis was wrong, and that his illness was not life threatening. He
now is bankrupt and is considering suing the Hospital for compensation.7/9/2007 -
The pessimistic mindset that many religious sects, cults and politicians used as
a starting point in conditioning prospective converts or voters, that society is
evil or heading down the wrong path --- but don't worry, believe us, for we can
save you!6/25/2007 -
Term to describe the lightning speed of some invading armies in history. For
example, the Mongol armies in Asia and Eastern Europe; the Nazi German army
during WW2 and the Israeli army during the Six Day War of 1967. From "gruth",
meaning war in Old English and "spree" of uncertain origin, meaning spark,
flash and rapid and recurring.6/25/2007 -
n. The study of persons and groups who cling to out-dated forms of technology
and ways of life. For example, those who continue to use a typewriter rather
than a word processor; send letters by snail-mail, even though E-mail is
available and acceptable or carry out back-breaking tasks like farming when
they have means to buy and the skill to use modern, more efficient, time-saving
equipment. Based on “rawnie” a dialect word, probably of Cheshire origins, used
by my grandmother (died age 90 yrs in 1962) meaning and by analogy, “The
Tree still grows strongly, though a bough is dead.”6/27/2007 -
n. The study of scarecrows. From their use as protectors of farmers’ crops;
depiction in art, literature and film (“The Wizard of Oz”); as a symbol on (some)
jets of the Italian Airforce, to dream readings and interpretation, and so on.Origin: [Fashioned on Italian, “Spauracchio” meaning, scarecrow +ology.]6/26/2007 -
I propose the word "swithernik" for fitness fanatics who, arrive at work covered
in sweat, after running or cycling a score of kilometres. Their exercise regime
includes, apart from running to and from work daily, a few extra kilometres
during their lunch break.Origin: [Swither being Old English for "sweating"; and "nik" a yiddish and russian suffix, meaning "person involved in"]7/9/2007 -
The wispy smoke and smouldering haze that goes on for ages after huge forests
fires, fueled by underground peat deposits, have died down. Several fires of this
kind have been burning in Indonesia since 2003.Origin: [From "Throsm", Old English for "smoke"]7/9/2007