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220214 A metaphorical affineur

An affineur is a 'person responsible for maturing cheese in a cellar, climate-controlled room' (OED) Yeah, like I was going to find one of those in SW3! However, I suddenly remembered the mouse sketch from Monty Python (extract below for…
Del
February 22, 2014
zBlog Archives

210214 Capisce? Absolutely. Capisco.

MisterMac's new streamer and gizmos arrived today, so being the "Head of IT" in a household that knows nothing about IT, I had to learn how it all worked. I have made copious notes and I think I understand. So…
Del
February 21, 2014
zBlog Archives

200214 Nyaff?

This is possibly too big for a genuine nyaff, which according to the OED is 'A small object; a trifle', but I'm afraid my ongoing battle with British Gas severely curtailed my nyaff hunting time. Day #51 of a 365…
Del
February 20, 2014
zBlog Archives

190214 A Charlie Foxtrot of a mogul

Mogul (today's word of the day) is another term prompted by the Winter Olympics (@ Mrs R - only four more days!). It means 'A bump on a ski slope, by which a skier's progress may be impeded' (OED). Unfortunately…
Del
February 19, 2014
zBlog Archives

180214 Our Aidos has little aidos

I didn't worry too much about looking for the word of the day, which was aidos - 'The ancient Greek concept of shame, modesty, or reverence, esp. as a motivating force. Also (usually with capital initial): a personification or representation…
Del
February 18, 2014
zBlog Archives

170214 A touch of mu

Today's word is mu - a 'state of voidness, nothingness, or detachment which is thought to transcend the concepts of negative and positive' (OED). Given the word has a Japanese etymology, I thought Japanese whisky would be appropriate as a…
Del
February 17, 2014
zBlog Archives

160214 In case of nivosity

The OED is anticipating bad weather, it appears. Today's word was nivosity, meaning 'Snowiness; a resemblance to snow' (OED). I guess there were a number of things that could have gone into the pot - I could have sought someone…
Del
February 16, 2014
zBlog Archives

150214 Speaking Mummerset

Mummerset is one of my favourite words so far (but we do still have another 319 to go). It means ‘A pseudo-rustic dialect used by actors, modelled on dialects from the west of England’ (OED). As I was unable to…
Del
February 15, 2014
zBlog Archives

140214 Pays du Tendre, SW3

A pays du tendre is a 'domain or subject of love; the experience of falling or being in love' (OED). An early stroll up the King's Road showed that SW3 is certainly a love domain at the moment with everything…
Del
February 14, 2014
zBlog Archives

130214 A philopatric dustbin

Philopatric means: 'Of an animal or species: tending to return to or remain near a particular site, esp. the place of origin' (OED). It is normally used in zoological circles, but there were none of those in today's orbit, so…
Del
February 13, 2014
zBlog Archives

120214 Hypothetical Alacrity

Before I am accused of spending the day quassing with alacrity ('Liveliness, sprightliness; briskness, speed; cheerful readiness or willingness', OED), I would like to point out that I didn't. I merely SAW these bottles of champagne and thought that I…
Del
February 12, 2014
zBlog Archives

110214 Alliaceous Produce

I think the OED's flirtation with the Winter Olympics is over as today's word - alliaceous - has nothing to do with snow or sport, but a lot to do with onions: 'Of or relating to plants of the genus…
Del
February 11, 2014
UncategorizedzBlog Archives

100214 Alley-oop avoided

As soon as I saw today's word, I knew it was going to be a tough one to bag. With very little photo time and no chance of going anywhere that involved either heavy-lifting or leaping, I was struggling to…
Del
February 10, 2014
UncategorizedzBlog Archives

070214 Cow on the piste

In recognition of the Winter Olympics, today’s word is piste, and although we all use it with reference to ski-ing, the first meaning (and that chosen by the OED) is: ‘A trail or track beaten by a horse, mule, etc.;…
Del
February 7, 2014
UncategorizedzBlog Archives

040214 Nudiustertian Snow

Today’s word is another obsolete one, namely nudiustertian, which means: ‘Of or relating to the day before yesterday’ (OED). I have to admit, that I’m only guessing that this snow is nudiustertian, as I wasn’t actually there on Sunday. However,…
Del
February 4, 2014