So how do these three things fit together? I finally took possession of Pimlico today and so the pic of the day had to somehow show this (the keys). But I am on a mission to populate the OED word…
DelFebruary 24, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 22, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 21, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 20, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 19, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 18, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 17, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 16, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 15, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 14, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 13, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 12, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 11, 2014
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…
DelFebruary 10, 2014
As I feared, it looks as though it's going to be two weeks of Olympic speak. Thankfully, today's word, which is acclivity, meaning 'An upward slope (of a hill, etc.); an ascending slope' (OED) can be used figuratively. As MisterMac…
DelFebruary 9, 2014
Ordinarily, at this time of year, Neusiedlersee might be iced over and a puckster ('An ice hockey player', OED) or two might be spotted on the lake. But early spring-weather meant blue skies, sunshine and a champagne picnic by the…
DelFebruary 8, 2014
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.;…
DelFebruary 7, 2014
Conversation overheard outside the supermarket Pigeon A: What’s young Walter up to, flapping about like that? Pigeon B: I’ve asked him to fly inside to buy some pigeon’s milk (winks), but he’s a bit worried they won’t serve him. Pigeon…
DelFebruary 6, 2014
I am sending out a lot of aroha today. I’m working on a few things that finally seem to be coming together (touch wood) and so it was most apposite that today’s word should be aroha, meaning: ‘Chiefly in Maori…
DelFebruary 5, 2014