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250914 Monopolylogue on the Danube

I suppose as today's pic features both Sarah and Georg, it's not really a "monopolylogue" ('A dramatic entertainment in which a single performer takes the part of all the characters involved. Also in extended use', OED), but rather a duopolylogue.…
Del
September 25, 2014
ViennazBlog Archives

240914 Oliprance on the Danube

I opted for the later use meaning of "oliprance": 'In early use: pomp, ostentation, pride, vanity. In later use: merrymaking, jollity; an instance of this' (OED). It was really good fun to catch up with those superstars - Sarah and…
Del
September 24, 2014
zBlog Archives

230914 Pennyweighting

A pity Penny isn't here otherwise a snap of her at the bus-stop would have done the trick, for today's word was "pennyweighting", although it actually means: 'The theft of jewellery, typically through sleight of hand substitution of fake stones…
Del
September 23, 2014
zBlog Archives

220914 The Home of the Demogorgon

"Demogorgon" - 'Mythol. (The name of) a powerful and terrible god or demon, associated with hell or the underworld' (OED). Now I'm not suggesting for one minute that this young lady is a demogorgon … but she is at Heathrow…
Del
September 22, 2014
zBlog Archives

210914 Imperial Purple Coffee

Coffee fit for an emperor! Today's word was "imperial purple", which means: 'Cloth of (or trimmed with) a rich crimson or purple colour; spec. (with the) a robe or garment made of this, worn as the distinguishing dress of Roman…
Del
September 21, 2014
zBlog Archives

200914 Obnoxity in the Car-Park

"Obnoxity" - 'An obnoxious, objectionable, or offensive person or thing; an object of aversion. Also: obnoxiousness’, (OED). I'm sure this is a perfectly nice family - ordinarily - but I totally disapproved of the way in which the wrappings from…
Del
September 20, 2014
zBlog Archives

190914 A Form of Eatertainment

There isn't much in the way of "eatertainment" ('An experience which combines eating with entertainment; spec. the sector of the restaurant industry comprising restaurant chains based on an entertainment theme, such as sport, music, or film.’, OED) in the depths…
Del
September 19, 2014
zBlog Archives

180914 Result of Pluvian Weather

Ordinarily, a word like "pluvian" ('Rain-giving, rain-bringing; rainy. In early use chiefly literary in Pluvian Jove, Pluvian Jupiter', OED) would be easy - step outside front door and press shutter. Today, however, there was no sign of anything vaguely pluvian…
Del
September 18, 2014
zBlog Archives

170914 Behaving Like Quondams

Penny and I had a wonderful lunch to celebrate her Associateship. It would have been most impolite whilst feasting and imbibing to enquire as to whether there was a "quondam" ('The former holder of an office or position; (Oxford Univ.)…
Del
September 17, 2014
zBlog Archives

160914 To Hondle Over A Hubble-Bubble

"Hondle" means 'intr. In Jewish usage: to haggle, bargain. Also trans. with direct speech as object. Cf. handel v.’ (OED). I was in the wrong part of town for Jewish usage, but I did find these hubble-bubbles on Forset St…
Del
September 16, 2014
zBlog Archives

150914 An abnormous fungus

Oh they'll make a natural history photographer out of me yet! I needed a pic to fulfil today's word, which was "abnormous" ('Originally: irregular; exaggerated; misshapen. In later use also (humorous, chiefly U.S.): enormous', OED) and so I paused to…
Del
September 15, 2014
zBlog Archives

140414 Acrophobia underground

At first sight, Clapham North underground station might not seem relevant to acrophobia: 'Fear of being in high places’ (OED). But I definitely suffer from acrophobia when I have to travel on the lines that are deep beneath the bowels…
Del
September 14, 2014
zBlog Archives

130914 An Orexigenic Substance

Friends bearing gifts of Taittinger are always welcome … and what better "orexigenic" ('That stimulates appetite for food; of or relating to the stimulation of appetite for food', OED) substance is there? Day #252 of a 365 project, where the…
Del
September 13, 2014
zBlog Archives

120914 The Local Pandal Connection

Today I was looking for a "pandal", which is: 'In South Asia (orig. in southern areas): a shed, booth, shelter, or triumphal arch, esp. for temporary use (at a festival, etc.); a marquee; spec. (among Hindus and Parsees) a tent…
Del
September 12, 2014
zBlog Archives

110914 The Tropicopolitan Midlands

"Tropicopolitan" means: 'Belonging to or inhabiting the whole of the tropics, or tropical regions generally' (OED). There wasn't a huge amount of choice for this - a carton of Tropicana was one option, a can of bug spray another or…
Del
September 11, 2014
zBlog Archives

100914 Procerity, Penny and Squirrels

I broke my 'no squirrel' rule as I thought a natural history picture would bode well for the day in store. Squirrel Nutkin was raiding the rubbish bins around South Ken as I was waiting for Penny, to take her…
Del
September 10, 2014
zBlog Archives

090914 Moonraker Close

I didn't know that a "moonraker" was: 'A native of the county of Wiltshire, in England' (OED). I knew the term applied to folk who told the excise men they were raking the moon out of the pond, when they…
Del
September 9, 2014
zBlog Archives

080914 Phaser Not Working

Hmmm, I got into a bit of a muddle with today's word. A "Phaser" is 'A device for changing or controlling the phase of an oscillation or waveform; a phase shifter', whereas I always thought it was a device used…
Del
September 8, 2014
zBlog Archives

060914 A Gentleman’s Punctilio

Today was a Bleeding London street pounding day - E11, E18 and then more E11. In E18 Station Approach, we assume that the holding of the pink handbag was a punctilio ('A minute detail of action or conduct; a nicety…
Del
September 6, 2014