The Death of Fissiparous and Other Words: A Dictionary of Words & Phrases on the Verge of Extinction

defalcate

di-FAL-kayt

verb

the embezzlement of money from a trust

1896Israel ZangwillWithout PrejudiceThe man with vagabond instincts becomes an explorer, Ishmael writes social dramas, the happier son of a defalcating cashier rises to be a minister of finance, the born liar turns novelist, the man with murder in his soul hunts big game in foreign lands or settles down at home as a critic.1919Robert LyndOld and New MastersEven when he is portraying human beings, like Flora de Barrel—the daughter of the defalcating financier and wife of the ship's captain, who is the heroine of Chance—he often permits us just such glimpses of them as we get of persons hurrying round a corner.

Labels: Israel Zangwill, Robert Lynd

Permalink: defalcate
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:

yoiks

interjection

an utterance of surprise: "Yoiks!"

1867M. E. BraddonBirds of PreyDon't let him slip through your fingers for a day; hunt him from lodging to lodging, from tavern to tavern, into jail and out of jail—tantivy, yoicks, hark-forward!1908O. HenryThe Gentle GrafterWe'll go out and get what's coming to us from a farmer; and then yoicks! and away.1914Israel ZangwillChildren of the GhettoOh yes! Yoicks! Tallyho!' cried Benjamin, with sudden excitement.1922P. G. WodehouseRight Ho, JeevesIt only needed Aunt Dahlia after them, shouting 'Yoicks!' or whatever is customary on these occasions, to complete the resemblance to a brisk run with the Quorn.1960Algis BudrysRogue MoonYoicks!' he yapped twistedly…

Labels: Algis Budrys, Israel Zangwill, M. E. Braddon, O. Henry, P. G. Wodehouse

Permalink: yoiks
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:

ARCHIVES
» 2009.01
» 2009.02
» 2009.03
» 2009.04
» 2009.05
» 2009.06
» 2009.07
» 2009.08
» 2009.09
» 2009.10
» 2009.11
» 2009.12
» 2010.01
» 2010.02
» 2010.03
» 2010.04
» 2010.05
» 2010.06
» 2010.07
» 2010.08