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270714 Cyclism

This should have been an easy one, but by the time I'd finished with another advisory day, there wasn't much time for snapping. I therefore bring you a rather dull example of "cyclism": 'The action or activity of cycling; (enthusiasm…
Del
July 27, 2014
zBlog Archives

260714 Peely-wally legs

When I first met MisterMac (25 years ago!), my vocabulary increased as I acquired new words that are only used north of the border. One of these was "peely-wally", so it was a real trip down memory lane to see…
Del
July 26, 2014
zBlog Archives

250714 Alphin

An "alphin" is: 'In the early game of chess: each of four pieces able to move two squares diagonally, jumping over the middle square. hist. in later use' (OED). I wasn't really sure what I was looking for today, as…
Del
July 25, 2014
zBlog Archives

240714 Prog

For those expecting a prog rock pic for today, prepare for disappointment. "Prog" also means 'To watch or spy on', (OED) and that is exactly what Will and I were doing. Mr C and I were doing a dusk 'til…
Del
July 24, 2014
zBlog Archives

230714 Le Mot Juste

There's only one word in this picture and I think it is an excellent choice for the "mot juste': 'The precisely appropriate word or expression', OED. Day #202 of a 365 project, where the daily pic is informed by the OED…
Del
July 23, 2014
zBlog Archives

220714 Pimms Pong not Beer Pong

I was in the splendid company of the wonderful Rathbands FRPSs today as I took a foray into the unknown territory of nature photography. At post shoot drinks, it would have been rather yobbish of me to ask if anyone…
Del
July 22, 2014
zBlog Archives

210714 Aficionado

I never knew that "aficionado" meant: 'An amateur bullfighter' (OED). Admittedly this meaning is now defunct, but even the second meaning has tones of bull-fighting. There just weren't enough hours in the day to seek out bull fights, so I…
Del
July 21, 2014
zBlog Archives

200714 Honeyfuggling Scoundrels

Great afternoon on the Bleeding London walk 'Stuart Walks Embankment' exploring some of the archways and alleyways on the north side of the river. These splendid gates lead to the stage door of the Savoy theatre and what better way…
Del
July 20, 2014
zBlog Archives

190714 No Franching Here

Anyone expecting this rather paltry bag of nibbles to be the prelude to a feast on which to “franch” (‘intr. To feed greedily (on). Also trans.: to devour’, OED) would have been deeply disappointed. Day #198 of a 365 project,…
Del
July 19, 2014
zBlog Archives

180714 Niobe Clicquot

“Niobe”: ‘An inconsolably bereaved woman, a weeping woman. Also in extended use’ (OED). As soon as I spotted the distinctive orange bucket, I knew I had today’s word in the bag! Day #197 of a 365 project, where the daily…
Del
July 18, 2014
zBlog Archives

170714 Makeshift Moab

I was wearing the towel as a “moab” (‘A kind of hat shaped like a turban’, OED) first thing this morning to dry my hair, but in these temperatures, I find a straw hat to be the more comfortable headgear.…
Del
July 17, 2014
zBlog Archives

160714 A Day for Coney Dogs

A “Coney dog” is: ‘A type of hot dog topped with chilli con carne (without beans), raw onion, and mustard’ (OED). A bit of word association today: (1) Sunrise to sun to hot to hot-dog to Coney dog. (2) Grass…
Del
July 16, 2014
zBlog Archives

150714 Listen to the Philosophunculists

I’m sure that a “philosophunculist” (‘A petty or insignificant philosopher’, OED) would use clichés. And if I’d paid more attention to the clichés, such as ‘You get what you pay for’, I would have bought a decent kettle, rather than…
Del
July 15, 2014
zBlog Archives

140714 Served by the Wirt

In the light of yesterday’s victory, it is not surprising that we have a German word today. A “wirt” is: ‘In Germany and German-speaking countries: a pub landlord, an innkeeper’ (OED). And as luck would have it, I’m in a…
Del
July 14, 2014
zBlog Archives

130714 Panier de Crabes

In keeping with the World Cup Final, the word of the day is “panier de crabes” - ‘ An arena of fierce or ruthless rivalry; a rat race; (also) a dangerously controversial topic.’ (OED) As it is MisterMac’s birthday, there…
Del
July 13, 2014
zBlog Archives

120714 Ethelborn

At one time, this house would have been inhabited by a coachman or someone else who had connections to those that were “ethelborn”: ‘Born into a noble family, high-born. Also as n. (with the and pl. concord): the nobility’ (OED).…
Del
July 12, 2014
zBlog Archives

110714 Savanarolas

A “Savonarola” is‘ A person considered to have the qualities of Girolamo Savonarola, esp. (in early use) a zealous reformer or spiritual leader, or (now more usually) a person who is considered austere, puritanical, or censorious in attitude’ (OED). I…
Del
July 11, 2014
zBlog Archives

100714 Book Padded

I’d hate to get involved in a long legal process about plagiarism, so I’ve deliberately shot this out of focus. However, there are a couple of books on this shelf where the authors have definitely “book-padded”: ‘To steal matter from…
Del
July 10, 2014
zBlog Archives

090714 Full on Zindabads

A "zindabad" is: 'Used as an exclamation or shout of approbation or encouragement. Also as n.: an exclamation of this kind; a cheer.' (OED). Zindabads abound at the moment. Day #188 of a 365 project, where the daily pic is…
Del
July 9, 2014
zBlog Archives

080714 Discalceate: check

"Discalceate": 'To remove one's shoes, go barefoot, esp. as a token of reverence or humility', (OED). I think this ticks all the boxes. Day #187 of a 365 project, where the daily pic is informed by the OED word of the…
Del
July 8, 2014