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Del

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241114 Python By Association

Go-go girls -> snake euphemism -> "python": 'Greek Mythol. With capital initial. The serpent or monster killed by Apollo near Delphi; (hence poet.) any monstrous antagonist', (OED). Day #324 of a 365 project, where the daily pic is informed by…
Del
November 24, 2014
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231114 Obnoxious Consequences

Today's word was "obnoxious" and although it's often used to mean 'offensive', its original meaning was: 'Liable, subject, exposed, or open to a thing (esp. something actually or possibly harmful)', (OED). Being so used to the current definition, it was…
Del
November 23, 2014
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221114 Four Pettitoes

I screwed up today … finding a "petittoe" (meaning 'A pig's foot, esp. as an article of food; a pig's trotter', OED) should have been really easy, but I was so immersed in other things, that I forgot to check…
Del
November 22, 2014
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211114 Panem et circenses

"Panem et circenses" ('Bread and circuses or (more generally) food and entertainment, regarded as typically satisfying the desires of the mass of the people; hence used allusively of anything which pleases and pacifies the people, thus helping a government to…
Del
November 21, 2014
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201119 Kriemhild’s Knavigation

On seeing today's word, my brow definitely furrowed. How on earth was I going to find a "knavigation", which is 'A statement or story that is characteristic of a knave, esp. in being dishonest or fraudulent', (OED)? I'm not sure…
Del
November 20, 2014
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191114 Goddard’s Drops

"Goddard's drops" are: 'A liquid medicinal preparation of uncertain composition, used in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders. Also Dr. Goddard's drops' (OED). I suppose the obvious choice should have been one of the exciting looking bottles on…
Del
November 19, 2014
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181114 An Enthusiastic Maven

Although I'm no "maven": 'An expert, a connoisseur; a knowledgeable enthusiast, an aficionado’ (OED), I'm enjoying the works of those who are. Art week continues to showcase an amazing array of talent - some of it I just don't get,…
Del
November 18, 2014
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171114 No Adipsia Here

"Adipsia" is: 'Absence of thirst; lack or loss of the desire to drink; reluctance or refusal to drink' (OED). Haha! No chance! Day #317 of a 365 project, where the daily pic is informed by the OED word of the day.
Del
November 17, 2014
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161114 Proxima Centauri

Early morning at Heathrow, from where you can just see the "Proxima Centauri" ('A faint red dwarf star in the southern constellation Centaurus, which forms part of a three-star system with the binary star Alpha Centauri', OED) in the distance:-)…
Del
November 16, 2014
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151114 Philippic

"Philippic" meaning 'Of the nature of a bitter attack, denunciation, or invective; that is a philippic (sense B. 1); spec. relating to or designating the Philippics of Demosthenes and Cicero', (OED). It doesn't get any more philippic than this. Day…
Del
November 15, 2014
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141114 The Quick, Lazy Pangram

Today's word was "pangram", meaning: 'A sentence or (occas.) verse containing every letter of the alphabet', and I thought it would be fun to make one up, but didn't actually get very far, so have resorted to that good old…
Del
November 14, 2014
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131114 Proot and Toot

To no avail I shouted "proot", which is: 'A command to a donkey or mule to move faster',(OED). I had a feeling of deja-vu - it seems now that every time I drive down to see the elderly relative, there's…
Del
November 13, 2014
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121114 Periclitation: Odd-One-Out

Which is the odd-one-out? One of these three has never experienced "periclitation": 'The action of exposing a person or thing to danger; the condition of being exposed to danger; danger, hazard, etc.' (OED). Day #312 of a 365 project, where…
Del
November 12, 2014
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111114 Armistice Day

After my surprise on Sunday, I was relieved to see that the OED chose an appropriate word for today, namely "Armistice" ('Originally: a suspension of hostilities; a (short) truce, a ceasefire. Later chiefly spec.: a total suspension of hostilities formally…
Del
November 11, 2014
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101114 The Phlegethon of SW3

The Christmas shopping (not mine, I hasten to add) has begun in earnest and it seems to be creating a retail-driven Phlegethon: 'Something regarded as resembling the mythical river Phlegethon; a river of fire, a seething torrent or turmoil', OED.…
Del
November 10, 2014
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091114 The Riant Pensioners

Given that OED stands for the Oxford ENGLISH Dictionary, I was expecting some sort of remembrance word, as it was a particularly special occasion. But there was always the chance that the OED might go in the direction of the…
Del
November 9, 2014
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081114 Nick, Music and Acyrology

So this was a toughie since I needed to maintain my track record of depicting the OED word of the day, which today was "acyrology" meaning the 'Incorrect use of language', (OED), but I also wanted a pic of my…
Del
November 8, 2014
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071114 The Mpret’s Throne

"Mpret" = 'In Albania: a king, a monarch', (OED). A monarch sits on a throne and "throne" can be used euphemistically. Day #307 of a 365 project, where the daily pic is informed by the OED word of the day.
Del
November 7, 2014
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061114 Pocas Palabras – A Modern Take

The expression "pocas palabras" may be obsolete, but the sentiment is not, for it means 'As an exhortation: ‘be quiet’, ‘be of few words’, ‘enough said’' (OED). I offer the modern day equivalent that hangs over my workspace. Day #306…
Del
November 6, 2014
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051114 A Sweet Little Marplot

Given that I am such a fan of Paddington Bear, I feel a bit of a heel using him to populate today's word, which is "Marplot" meaning "A person who or (occas.) a thing which spoils a plot or hinders…
Del
November 5, 2014