New Oxford American Dictionary Word of the Week, Weird and Wonderful Word of the Week, and American Slang Word of the Week http://blog.oup.com/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:50:59 -0400 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:30:00 -0400
nam pla, n. Thai term for fish sauce. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0400
semordnilap [sem-ORD-nih-lap] a word that spells a different word when written backwards ("semordnilap" is "palindromes" spelled backwards). "Drawer" is a semordnilap, because backwards it spells reward. If this makes you uneasy, you might have aibohphobia, ‘fear of palindromes.’ http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0400
momo, n. [perh. redup. of "moron"; perh. fr. dial. It. "mammoccio" 'stupid rascal'] a stupid or useless person; blockhead. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0400
greentailing, n. the sale of goods that are not harmful to the environment or were produced in conformity with environmental standards: organic gardening is part of our commitment to greentailing. ORIGIN: blend of "green" ('not ecologically harmful') and "retailing." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 08 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0400
skeuomorph [SKYOO-oh-morf] a decoration that takes its form from the nature of the material used or the method used to make it. The word is also used for an object that copies the design of a similar object made in another material-- a plastic Adirondack chair would be a skeuomorph. From Greek words meaning 'form' and 'vessel.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 08 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0400
lobby louse, n. a person (esp. a nonguest) who habitually lounges about a hotel lobby. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 08 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0400
dictionary attack, n. an attempted illegal entry to a computer system that uses a dictionary headword list to generate possible passwords. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
architricline [ar-chee-TRIK-lin] the master of a feast. In medieval legend, Architricline was thought to be the name of a rich lord. It comes from Greek words meaning 'chief' and 'dining couch.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
double shuffle, n. duplicitous treatment; doublecross. -- constr. with "the." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
superfine sugar, n. finely granulated white sugar that dissolves quickly and is used in cold drinks and baking. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
bouffage [boo-FAHG] a filling meal. From an Old French word glossed in the OED with a quote from Cotgrave as 'any meat that (eaten greedily) fills the mouth, and makes the cheeks to swell; cheeke-puffing meat.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
hobo coffee, n. coffee grounds boiled in water without a filter. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
high-maintenance, adj. needing a lot of work to keep in good condition. informal (of a person or relationship) demanding a lot of attention. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
medkniche [MED-nitch] a bundle of hay, usually measured as being as much as the hayward could lift with his middle finger as high as his knee. It was one of the perks of being the hayward, whose job was to keep the cows out of the common fields. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
deke n. 1. Hunting. a decoy. 2. Sports. a feint made to deceive a player and draw him out of position. Also as v. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0400
button man, n. informal, a hired killer. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
sukebind [SYOOK-bind] an imaginary plant used by Stella Gibbons in Cold Comfort Farm, associated with superstition and fertility, especially (as the OED puts it) 'intense rustic passions.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
Boob McNutt, n. [protagonist of eponymous comic stript (1915-34) created by cartoonist Rube Goldberg] a foolish or crazy person. -- used derisively. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
one-trick pony, n. informal, a person or thing with only one special feature, talent, or area of expertise. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
nullo [NULL-oh] someone who has undergone an elective amputation for the purposes of body modification, usually of a toe, but sometimes of a hand or limb. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
okey-doke, n. Esp. Black E., 1. a swindle; trick or deception. 2. foolishness; pretense. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
areligious, adj. not influenced by or practicing religion: "the sexual mores of today's secular and areligious culture." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
megacryometeor [meg-uh-KRY-oh-mee-tee-ur] a large chunk of ice that falls from the sky, often without a clear cause or origin. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
armpiece, n. Esp. Journ. an attractive woman escorted to social functions chiefly for the sake of her appearance. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
spork, n. a spoon-shaped eating utensil with short tines at the tip. ORIGIN: blend of "spoon" and "fork." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
petrichor [PET-rih-kor] the pleasant smell that sometimes accompanies rain, especially the first rain after a period of warm dry weather. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
ape hangers, n. pl. exceptionally sweeping V-shaped handlebars, as on a customized motorcycle. Hence, as attrib., "apehanger." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
genomics, plural n. [treated as sing.] the branch of molecular biology concerned with the structure, function, evolution, and mapping of genomes. ORIGIN: 1980s: from genome 'the complete set of genes present in an organism' + -ics. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
panyarring [puh-NYAR-ing] the act of kidnapping someone into slavery. The verb is panyar. It comes from a Latin word meaning ‘pawn.’ It was mostly used in West Africa. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
headache rack, n. Trucking. a rack positioned over or behind the cab of a truck to prevent injury from shifting cargo. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0400
insourcing, n. the practice of using an organization's own personnel or other resources to accomplish a task: "offshore insourcing of expense reporting processing." · the practice whereby an organization provides its own personnel to accomplish specialized tasks for a client, at the client's place of business. DERIVATIVES: insource, v. ORIGIN: on the pattern of outsourcing. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
ainhum [AYN-hum] a disease in which a fibrous constriction around the base of a finger or toe leads to its spontaneous amputation. Perhaps from a Yoruba word meaning ‘saw.’ http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
nimwad, n. [prob. alter. "nimrod"] a fool. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
overbreed, v. breed or cause to breed to excess: "the husband and wife were forcing the female dogs to overbreed, and litters grew up with several health problems." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
maisterel [MAYS-ter-ell] a rare and obsolete term for an imp or familiar. Perhaps from Middle French maistral, meaning ‘servant.’ http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
loogin, n. 1. a clumsy or stupid person; oaf; lug; (hence) esp. Und. a newcomer. Also "lugan." 2. a habitual fighter or brawler; ruffian; petty criminal; thug. Also "loogan." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
HIPAA, abbr. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a 1996 Federal law that restricts access to individuals' private medical information: [as adj.] HIPAA regulations. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
singultus [sing-GUL-tus] a rare word meaning ‘a sob.’ From a Latin word meaning ‘speech broken by sobs.’ Singultient is a rare word that means ‘sobbing.’ http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
lobscouser, n. Naut. a seaman, esp. if old or superannuated. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
crippleware, n. (informal, Computing) software distributed with reduced functionality with a view to attracting payment for a fully functional version. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
frapaille [fruh-PAIL] a disparaging term for camp-followers of an army. It’s also obsolete, but whether that’s because there are no longer so many camp-followers or because they are no longer held in such disrepute is not determined. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
cop-spotter, n. a rearview mirror. Joc. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0400
Tardis, n. 1. a time machine. 2. a building or container that is larger inside than it appears to be from outside. ORIGIN: the name (said to be an acronym from time and relative dimensions in space) of a time machine that had the exterior of a police telephone box in the British TV science-fiction series Doctor Who, first broadcast in 1963." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
feminisma [fem-in-EEZ-muh] a word used by the novelist Agnes Rossi, formed on the model of machismo, to describe the quality and display of feminine pride, especially based on childbearing and child-rearing. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
kookaboo, n. a crazy person. [poss. alter. "kookaburra" 'Australian bird whose call resembles human laughter.'] http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
wrapper application, n. a computer program that works only with another fully developed program, which it enhances in some way: "we have created a viewer that is a simple wrapper application for the underlying multimedia system." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
chelidonize [che-LYE-dun-ize] to twitter like swallows, or to sing the "swallow song" of Rhodes, which was a kind of trick-or-treating activity where boys, after seeing the first swallows arrive, would go around in bands singing for food 'for the swallow.' In more recent times it has been performed on March 1st by boys carrying a wooden swallow on a pole. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
magoo n. [orig. unkn.; perh. an elab. of GOO] 1. Theat. a cream pie thrown in slapstick comedy. 2.a. an important person. [Popularized in the 1932 Broadway comedy by Hecht and Fowler, "The Great Magoo."] b. a useless or foolish person. 3. sex appeal; (also) stuff; thing; situation; the right stuff, etc. -- used in a vague way to indicate the subject of conversation. -- usu. constr. with "the." http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
bunker buster (also bunker-buster), n. a bomb designed to penetrate deep into the ground or rock before exploding. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
kebbie [KEB-bee] a staff with a hooked head, like a shepherd’s crook. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
bogue, adj. [from "bogus"] 1. a. counterfeit, fake. b. contemptible; no good; offensive. 2. Narc. suffering withdrawal symptoms. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
romcom n. informal (in movies or television) a romantic comedy. ORIGIN: blend. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
boukie [BOO-kee] a flower made of fabric or leather, worn as an accessory. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
hard-shell n. 1. a. (usu. cap.) a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Now colloq. b. an obstinate, uncompromising, tough, or extremely conservative person; (specif., in 1850's) a conservative member of the New York State Democratic party. 2. Naut. a sailor who has been initiated in a Crossing-the-Line ceremony; shellback. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0400
SWOT analysis, n. a study undertaken by an organization to identify its internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as its external opportunities and threats. ORIGIN: acronym from strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
Mountweazel [MOWNT-wee-zul] a fake word or name invented by reference-book editors to trap plagiarists. It comes from Lillian Virginia Mountweazel, whose (fake) entry in an edition of the New Columbia Encyclopedia was a triumph of the form. (“Mountweazel” died in an explosion while on assignment for Combustibles magazine.) http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
lollipop factory, n. an insane asylum. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
West Nile virus, n. a flavivirus of African origin that can be spread to humans and other mammals via mosquitoes, causing encephalitis and flulike symptoms, with some fatalities. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
whigmaleery [whig-muh-LEER-ee] a Scottish word for any whimsical thing or fanciful notion. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
egg in your beer: a bonus; something for nothing; the good life. -- usu. in phr. What do you want -- egg in your beer? Stop complaining; are you never satisfied? -- usu. ironic. [Esp. common during WWII.] http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
SIM (also SIM card), n. a smart card inside a cellular phone, carrying an identification number unique to the owner, storing personal data, and preventing operation if removed. ORIGIN: 1980s: acronym from subscriber identification module. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
souteneur [sut-uh-NYER] an old word for 'pimp,' or a man who lives on the earnings of prostitutes. From a French word meaning 'protector.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
geetus n. money. Also variants: gheetas, geetas, geedus. [Origin unknown.] http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
structured settlement, n. a legal settlement paid out as an annuity rather than in a lump sum, usually with certain tax advantages for the recipient and a savings for the payer. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
verdugoship [ver-DOO-go-ship] an obsolete word meaning 'the personality of an executioner.' A verdugo is a hangman or executioner. The word comes from Italian verduco, meaning 'a narrow-bladed sword.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
kiyoodle n. [orig. unkn.; perh. infl. by coyote] 1. a small noisy dog. Also kyoodle. 2. a worthless person; an oaf. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0400
e-book, n. an electronic version of a printed book that can be read on a personal computer or hand-held device designed specifically for this purpose; a dedicated device for reading electronic versions of printed books. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
thurse (thurs) an obsolete word used to refer to giants in heathen mythology, or goblins and hobgoblins. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
mushfaker n. Und. and Hobo. an itinerant umbrella mender, tinker or pitchman; a repairer or deviser of small, cheap contrivances; (hence) (used among tramps, etc., as a vague term of opprobrium); a no-account. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
hoophead, n. informal a basketball player or devoted fan. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
brabbling [BRAB-ling] noisy arguing or hair-splitting. From obsolete "brabble," to argue noisily about insignificant things. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
kybo, n. a lavatory or toilet commode, esp. at a campground. Also kibo. [orig. unkn.; perhaps from "keep your bowels open."] http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
Chicken Little, n. an alarmist or doomsayer. "my beloved capital sounds more and more these days like a barnyard filled with Chicken Littles." ORIGIN: 1990s: from the name of a character in a children's story who repeatedly warns that the sky is falling. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
alexithymia [ay-leks-ih-THY-mee-uh] a disorder in which the sufferer is unable to recognize emotions or express them.
http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
liquid death, n. cheap, powerful liquor. Joc. Also: liquid crime. 1862 "E. Kirke" Among Pines 228: "Mine host" and two assistants were dispensing "liquid death," at the rate of ten cents a glass. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
obtention, n. the action of obtaining something: "their protests serve no purpose and will only make their obtention of a diploma almost impossible." ORIGIN: early 17th cent.: French, or from late Latin, obtentio(n-), from obtinere, 'obtain, gain.' http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
mascaron [MAS-kuh-run] an image of a (usually grotesque) face, human or animal, used as an architectural ornament.
http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
hoolihan, n. West. 1. (among cowboys) a backhand thrown loop for roping horses. 2. an exciting or extraordinary event. In phrase: "throw the hoolihan" [fr. sense of (1), above] (among cowboys) to celebrate riotously. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400
cybershop , v. (-shopped , -shopping) [intrans., often as noun cybershopping] purchase or shop for goods and services on a Web site: more than half of American workers cybershop on company time. n. a Web site that sells or provides information about retail goods or services: the retailer's cybershop sometimes has different prices than in its mail-order catalog. Also called cyberstore. DERIVATIVES: cybershopper n. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
croquembouche [KRO-kum-boosh] a pyramid of pastries, usually cream-filled, covered with spun caramel. When used as a wedding cake, the bride and groom traditionally smash the hard caramel coating with a hammer. From a French word that means crunches in the mouth.
http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
clothespin vote, n. [sugg. by the cartoon-inspired idea that voters must use a clothespin to protect their noses from the supposed stench of such candidates] Pol. a vote or votes made unenthusaistically for a candidate who is regarded as the least objectionable. Joc. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
sleeper cell, n. a secretive group with suspected links to a terrorist organization that is planning or believed capable of carrying out an attack. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
stilo novo [STEEL-lo NOH-vo] when used with a date, this means 'according to the Gregorian calendar.' It's also used figuratively to mean any innovation. From Latin words meaning 'new style.'
http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
okey-doke n. Esp. Black E. 1. a swindle; trick or deception. 2. foolishness; pretense. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
nostalgic adj. characterized by or exhibiting feelings of nostalgia. n. a nostalgic person. "to see classmates' e-mail addresses, nostalgics pay $36 a year." DERIVATIVES: nostalgically adv. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
igry [IG ree] painfully embarrassed by someone else's poor behavior. It can also be used to describe someone else's poor behavior. This word was invented by John Chaneski, Peter Gordon, Kevin West, and Francis Heaney, in part because they were annoyed by the -gry puzzle. The -gry puzzle ("Apart from angry and hungry, what other common English word ends in -gry?") is a broken puzzle -- until igry, there was not another common word in English that ended in -gry. (And I suppose igry is not actually common yet.) The original puzzle was most likely something like "Think of words ending in -gry. Angry and hungry are two of them. What is the third word in the English language? You use it every day, and if you were listening carefully, I've just told you what it is." That puzzle is trying to get you to say language (i.e., the third word in the phrase "the English language") but someone broke it, and the broken version has been circulating on the Internet ever since. The Igry Men, avid puzzlers, decided to invent a new -gry word, so that when they were asked about the broken puzzle, they could say "Oh, it's igry, I thought everyone knew that word!" Perhaps someday everyone will.
http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
moldy fig n.1. Jazz. a person who admires older styles of jazz. - used derisively. Now hist. 2. a person having outdated or conservative ideas. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0400
molecular electronics, plural n. [treated as singular] a branch of electronics in which individual molecules perform the same function as microelectronic devices such as diodes. DERIVATIVES: molecular electronic, adj. molecular electronic materials and inorganic particles. http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:30:00 -0400
wurp [wurp] an obsolete word meaning a stone s throw.
http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:30:00 -0400
from hell (used as an intensive); formidable, effective, or extraordinary (esp. in a negative way); bad or offensive; good or pleasing. 1965 in W. King Black Anthol. 305: Mac's copping me a number from hell for a nickel! http://blog.oup.com/zimm_wotw Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:30:00 -0400