|
putative PYOO-tuh-tiv adjective assumed or suggested to exist; generally believed or imagined 1919Max BeerbohmSeven MenIt was then that I espied yonder the back of the putative Maltby.1964Ross MacDonaldThe Far Side of the DollarThen I called Arnie Walters in Reno and gave him a rundown on the old man's son, Mike Harley, ex-sailor, ex-fighter, ex-bartender, gambler, kidnapper, wife-beater, putative murderer and driver of a 1958 Plymouth two-door, California license number IKT 449.1982Stephen R. DonaldsonThe One TreeBut at his back, his putative son slept.Labels: Max Beerbohm, Ross MacDonald, Stephen R. Donaldson
|
Permalink: putative
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:
|
|
susurrus suh-SUR-uhs noun a gentle whispering sound; a soft humming sound; a soft rustling sound 1911Max Beerbohm Zuleika Dobson Echoes of his boots fell from the upper stairs and met the ascending susurrus of a silk skirt. 1984Eric Van LustbaderThe Miko...he heard nothing above the soft susurrus of the faraway traffic on Highway 70.1994Poul Anderson The Stars Are Also FireBackground noise was a susurrus through which a gust of music would twang…Labels: Eric Van Lustbader, Max Beerbohm, Poul Anderson
|
Permalink: susurrus
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:
|
|
gallimaufry ga-luh-MAW-free noun a hodge-podge; a jumble of things; a mixture of multiple things 1652Robert BurtonThe Anatomy of MelancholyThe event of this is common to be seen in populous cities, or in princes' courts, for a courtier's life (as Budaeus describes it) 'is a gallimaufry of ambition, lust, fraud, imposture, dissimulation, detraction, envy, pride; the court, a common conventicle of flatterers, time-servers, politicians,' &c.; or as Anthony Perez will, 'the suburbs of hell itself.'1923Max BeerbohmYet AgainA tarnished French mirror, a strip of faded carpet, some rows of battered, tattered books, a few cups and saucers that had erst been riveted and erst been dusted—all these, in a gallimaufry of other languid odds and ends, seen through this mud-splashed window, silently echoed the silent misery of the horse.1998Barbara KingsolverThe Poisonwood Bible...I am a lame gallimaufry and she remains perfect.Labels: Barbara Kingsolver, Max Beerbohm, Robert Burton
|
Permalink: gallimaufry
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:
|
|
unberufen uhn-bur-OO-fen interjection uttered after boasting to avoid any bad lucky that might arise as a result of the boast; the verbal equivalent of knocking on wood 1872William Dean HowellsTheir Silver Wedding Journey'I don't suppose,' Burnamy said, 'that life ever does much better than this, do you? I feel like knocking on a piece of wood and saying 'Unberufen.' I might knock on your bouquet; that's wood.'1911Max BeerbohmZuleika DobsonWhile Mr. Druce put the finishing touches to his shin, 'I am utterly purposed,' he said to himself, 'that for this death of mine I will choose my own manner and my own—well, not 'time' exactly, but whatever moment within my brief span of life shall seem aptest to me. Unberufen,' he added, lightly tapping Mr. Druce's counter.1912Albert Bigelow PaineMark Twain, A BiographyI think the hen ought to have a name; she must be called Unberufen. That is a German word which is equivalent to it 'sh! hush' don't let the spirits hear you!' The superstition is that if you happen to let fall any grateful jubilation over good luck that you've had or are hoping to have you must shut square off and say 'Unberufen!' and knock wood. The word drives the evil spirits away; otherwise they would divine your joy or your hopes and go to work and spoil your game. Set her again—do!Labels: Albert Bigelow Paine, Max Beerbohm, William Dean Howells
|
Permalink: unberufen
Entry By: CJ Cooney
Smash illiteracy! Email This Word To A Friend:
|
|
|
BIO
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
RECENT POSTS
