Uncommon (and proper) names for everyday things…

Here’s just a few to tickle your palett until next time:

Words for things commonly seen around Seattle and (more specifically) SPU:

-zori (ZOR-ee): also known as “flip-flops” or “thongs”
-zarf: a sleeve for a coffee cup or beer (or soda) can.
-flews: the fleshy flaps on the sides of a dog’s mouth.
-kibble: dead leaves and other organic material swept or raked up from gardens and courtyards.
-eroteme: the question mark symbol.
-haze: the slightly nappy green cloth that typically covers the tops of billiard tables and gaming tables. (a.k.a. – the remaining tattered threads littering the tops of Ashton’s pool table in the lounge.)
-aglet: (or ‘tag’) the plastic or metal sheath on the ends of shoelaces.
-escutcheon (e-SKUHCH-in): a decorative metal plate around a keyhole, door lock, doorknob, or the handle on a drawer. (sorry dorm-dwellers, you will not see too many escutcheons around your ‘pad’).
-octothorpe: the ‘pound key’ on your phone. (#)
-belgard (bel-GAHRD): a loving look.

And some other fun, but also aplicable words:

-resistentialism: seemingly spiteful behavior manifested by inanimate objects.
*Naturally this word brings to mind many wonderful examples…
-microwave ovens that sabotage your food so that the first bite you take is lukewarm and the second one scalds your tongue;
-elevator or train doors that try to crush you in their grip;
-drinks that walk off by themselves, and glasses that quietly sidle into just the right position so you will knock them over;
-computers that wait with the patience of a trapper for the precise moment when they can crash and eat your most important files (which you’ve neglected to back up on disk);
-televelocoraptor: VCR’s that erase, ingest, or otherwise mangle your favorite tapes;
-car alarms that announce their jargling indignation to the neighborhood at precisely 2:57 A.M., 3:30 A.M., and 4:22 A.M.;
-and of course, plastic wrap. (Need I say more?)

*moving on…here’s a few more before I hit the books again…

-lasterday: anytime before yesterday (NOTE: this is my own word, hehe)

-nudiustertian (N(Y)OO-di-yoo-STUR-shin): adjective that means pertaining to the day before yesterday (NOTE: I think my word is better)

-perendinate (pur-EN-di-nayt): to delay until the day after tomorrow or to postpone indefinitely.

-amphigory (AM-fi-GOR-ee): a poem that on first reading appears to be profound but that on further inspection turns out to be complete nonsense.

-demitoilet: fairly elaborate but not entirely formal dress.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS

3 Responses to “Uncommon (and proper) names for everyday things…”

  1. Anonymous says:

    jru
    Most interesting… I am particularly fond of resistentialism… and it appears you are too.
    what about that one doorframe that manages to jump out and hit your toe in the middle of the night on the way to the bathroom/kitchen.

  2. sarahmadson says:

    Re: jru
    yea, that’s at the top of the list too. Particularly screen doors that jump in front of anxious people eager to get outside. Glass doors have a tendency to do this too.

  3. Anonymous says:

    HipTip
    And I thought I was clueless about words
    -HipTip

Leave a Reply