The Elusive Tongue

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself

2009-07-23T04:17:00.000-07:00

I must apologize to my readers. I have been alternately crazy busy and uninspired but overwhelmed as of late. But never fear, I am getting back into the swing of things. Here is a new column and a commitment to continue the blog more regularly.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself

There are as many fears as there are things in the world. Some of the following objects of discomfort and terror might surprise you. See if you can over come your logophobia or maybe your atelophobia and figure out what there is to be frightened of in the words below.

Agoraphobia: (n) fear of... a) open spaces. b) literally “the marketplace”. c) public areas. d) all of thee above.

Algophobia: (n) fear of... a) abduction b) pain. c) glowing clocks. d) limping.

Amaxphobia: (n) fear of..a) riding in a car. b) suffocation. c) over spending on your credit cards. d) men named Max or Maxamillion.

Anuptaphobia: (n) fear of...a) foods with nuts b) remaining single. c) getting married without a prenuptial agreement. d) being shipped off to Borneo.

Chrematophobia: (n) fear of...a) being cremated. b) being cremated while still alive. c) chemical additives. d) money

Cibophobia: (n) fear of...a) food. b) people from China. c) siphons. d) siblings

Ecophobia: (n) fear of... a) loud sounds, b) your own home,
c) reverbertaion, d) enviromental breakdown.

Gamophobia: (n) fear of...a) sports and games. b) loosing. c) rotting flesh. d) marriage.

Iophobia: (n) fear of... a) Jupiter’s moons. b) being poisoned. c) owing money. d) vowels.

Keraunophobia: (n) fear of...a)kerosene b) glare from the sun, c) thunder and lightening, d) crunchy foods.

Kleptophobia: (n) fear of a) clowns. b) stealing. c) people with canes or crutches. d) paper clips.

Linonophobia: (n) fear of...a) the music of Yoko Ono Lennon. b) waiting in line c) string d) country line dancing.

Lygophobia: (n) fear of...a) gophers. b) being lied to. c) telling lies. d) darkness.

Molysmophobia: (n) fear of...a) dirt or contamination. b) oil. c) girls named Molly. d) fire.

Muriphobia: (n) fear of...a) the ocean. b) the paintings of Joan Miro c) seafaring ghosts d) mice

Myxophobia: (n) fear of...a) fungus. b) slime. c) moxibustion. d) your own smelly socks.

Omborphobia: (n) fear of... a) people from Hamburg Germany, b) umbrellas, c) being boring, d) fear of rain or of being rained upon.

Nebulaphobia: (n) fear of...a) phenomenea beyond the planet Earth, b) fog, c) being a nebish, d) castration

Peniaphobia: (n) fear of...a) poverty b) being forced to wear a pinafore in public. c) pennies. d) pasta.

Phobiaphobia: (n) fear of...a) falling. b) embarrassment c) being afraid. d) your blind date will run screaming in fear when you get to the door

Tocophobia: (n) fear of...a) childbirth or pregnancy b) cigars or cigarettes. c) Mexican food. d) sounding crazy when speaking in public.

Thantaphobia: (n) fear of...a) ghosts. b) department store Santa’s who lisp. c) the number 13. d) death.

2009-05-28T15:37:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to a podcast that I did with Pilar Alessandra a few weeks ago. Anyone interested in movie musicals or writing musicals should check it out.

http://blip.tv/file/2138236

Basketball Talk

2009-05-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

Basketball Talk

A few years ago the only thing vaguely like sports that I would be found watching was ice-skating, gymnastics or sumo. Then my husband turned me into a Lakers fan. I realized that one of the reasons I never liked or followed the game before was that, like all sports and other cabals, it has its’ own language. Once I learned the lingo, I started to understand what was going on and found that basketball is an amazing, fast paced, largely unchoreographed dance. This is part two of my B-ball blogs.

Bigs – a) players who consistently score over 25 points a game b) players who play Center or Power Forward positions and tend to be the largest player on the team c) Players with large feet i.e. “He tripped over his own bigs.” c) the biggest stars or superstars that bring in the crowds

Boards- a) the wooden floor of the court b) the seats, because they were pine benches when the game started c) rebounds d) disinterested spouses or friends who have been dragged along to the game

Brick – a) a shot ball that misses b) a ball that scores; one brick in the wall of the score c) a run of ten or more points for a single team d) each million dollars in a player’s contract.

Charity Stripe – a) where the players who are not dressed to play because of injury or other issues sit on the bench b) when players donate money or time to charity c) the stripe down the side of a player’s jersey d) the free throw line

Chippy – a) A Laker Girl b) when players tease, or call each other out on the court c) when the ball flies into the crowd d) when the officials disagree about a call

Chirpy – a) a player under six feet b) the sounds that the player’s shoes make on the court c) when players complain about the calls of the refs d) basketball groupies

Cleans it up – a) shoot the winning basket b) stops a non scoring run c) stops swearing at the ref d) gets the rebound

Easy Deuce a) uncontested or very easy two point score b) an easy two game win c) a two year contract d) two endorsement deals

Flat Footed – a) a player who can’t jump after an injury b) standing around, not really reacting or playing i.e. “caught flat footed” c) literally a player with flat feet – a fairly common condition in people over six and half feet tall d) seats where the feet are actually on the wood of the court – “front row” or “flat footed seats.”

Free Throw Line – a) the line at the top of the key where shots cannot be contested because the other team has committed a foul against the player or team doing the shooting b) the line that divided the court in half- once crossed a player is free to shoot the ball c) the line which non-players are not allowed to cross – audience members will be thrown out if they cross the free throw line d) none of thee above

Good Look – a) a spiffy uniform b) seats with a good view of the game c) how players communicate with eyes and facial expressions so that the other team won’t know the game plan d) a good or open shot

Mr. Mo – a) what they call Spike Lee because he likes “Mo Better Basketball” b) the momentum of the game c) money, the main motivating factor d) the player who gives that extra effort

One and done – a) the last game in a series b) one shot with a score and no reliance on the rebound c) the last shot of the game when missed is “one and done.” d) a player who’s career is cut off by a single injury

Open Shot – a) uncontested, no player from the other team is playing defense on the shooter. b) a shot from the foul line c) a player who’s contract is open to sign to a new team d) a shot made in the air

Shooter – a) player attempting to make the basket b) the press on the floor c) a single shot from the bar c) all of thee above

Stops – a) a time out b) keeping the other team from scoring c) the bell to signal the end of a quarter d) the apparatus that the basketball and backboard are attached to

Strip – a) what many fans wish the Laker girls would do b) to run the floor and get to the basket without any defenders c) to steal the ball from an opposing player when it is their possession d) the half court line that determines who’s end of the court you are on

Stripe – a) the free throw line b) any of the lines on the floor c) the style of play of any given player d) the security guards

Triple Double – a) two three point shots on a row b) three two point shots in a row c) two shots in a row with a foul that allows for a third point attempt d) when a player gets three or more stats over two digits in any game

Walk – a) the way the players strut out when introduced b) to be asked to leave the court c) to carry the ball without dribbling for more than a single step d) the long route to the parking lot after the game.

BONUS QUESTION: Which of these phrases were coined by the beloved Lakers announcer Chick Hearn?

Who's That Man?: Key

2009-05-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Who’s That Man?

Sports figures often get nicknames. They come from the press, from the team and from fans. Can you tell the following monikers of the Lakers over the years?

George Mikan – b) Mr. Basketball

Jerry West – c) Mr. Clutch d) The Logo e) c and d

Kareem Abdul-Jabar – a) Cap

Ervin Johnson – a) Magic b) Young Buck c) Buck d) all of the above.

James Worthy – b) Big Game James

Wilt Chamberlain

Karl Malone – d) The Mailman

Vladimir Radmanovic – Vlad Rad

Shaquille O’Neal – a) Superman b) The Big Guy c) The Diesel d) The Big (fill in the blank)… e) Shaq f) all of the above.

Kobe Bryant – a) The Kid b) Kid Skills c) Ocho d) Triple Ocho e) Mamba f) a and d g) all of the above

Lamar Odom – L.O.

D.J. Mbenga – D.J.

Sasha Vujacic – a) The Machine c)Sasha

Derek Fisher – b) D-Fish c) Fish

Pau Gasol – The Quiet One

Trevor Ariza – The Thief, The Cobra

Sun Yue – Q-tip

Phil Jackson – PJ

Kurt Rambis – d) a and b

Rat Riley – d) all of the above

Who's That Man?

2009-05-10T03:49:00.000-07:00

Sports figures often get nicknames. They come from the press, from the team and from fans. Do you know the monikers these various Los Angeles Lakers from over the years?

George Mikan – a) Specs b) Mr. Basketball c) Mr. Mike d) Rochester

Jerry West – a) Wild, Wild West b)Mr. W. c) Mr. Clutch d)The Logo e) c and d f) a and b

Kareem Abdul-Jabar – a) Cap b) The Aviator c) Captain Sky-Hook d) none of the above e) a and c.

Ervin Johnson – a) Magic b) Young Buck c) Buck d) all of the above.

James Worthy – a) Mr. Give and Go b) Big Game James c) Big Game Jimmy d) J.W. Dunker

Wilt Chamberlain – a) Wilt the Stilt b) The Big Dipper c) Chairman of the Board d) all of the above

Karl Malone – a) Malone Alone b) The Delivery Man c) The Big Defender d) The Mailman

Rick Foxy – a) Sly Fox b) Bahaman Ricky c) Foxy d) Mr. America

Vladimir Radmanovic – a) Bad Rad b) Vlad Rad c) Broadway Joe d) b and c

Shaquille O’Neal – a) Superman b) The Big Guy c) The Diesel d) The Big (fill in the blank)… e) Shaq f) all of the above.

Kobe Bryant – a) The Kid b) Kid Skills c) Ocho d) Triple Ocho e) Mamba f) all of the above

Lamar Odom – a) L.O. b) Rich Soil c) Mello L.O. d) The Sixth Man Special

Didier Mbenga – a) Congo Johnny b) Mr. Chivalry c) D.J. d) D.B.

Aleksandar Vujacic – a) The Machine b) Hole in One c) Sasha d) a and c

Derek Fisher – a) Final Shot Fish b) D-Fish c) Fish d) b and c

Pau Gasol – a) The Quiet One b) The Llama c) The Spaniard d) P.G.

Trevor Ariza – a) The Cutter b) The Thief c) Cobra d) b and c

Sun Yue – a) Sunny b) U.A. c) Triple d) Q-tip

Phil Jackson – a) P.J. b) Zen Master c) Maverick d) all of thee above

Kurt Rambis – a) Superman b) Clark Kent c) Goofy d) a and b

Pat Riley – a) Riles b) Coach Slick c) Mr. G.Q. d) all of the above d) none of the above

Gone for the Gold

2009-05-02T13:08:00.001-07:00

Those of you who check here each week for the answers to last week’s quiz may have noticed that I have been absent for a few weeks.

Last week I was in Houston, Texas. Reaping a reward for some of the other work I do with words; namely, screenwriting. My husband and I write together. And we have successfully adapted his short film into a feature length script. The readers at WorldFest Houston found A One-Color System, the feature, worthy of a Gold Remi Award.

The hospitality was lovely. The awards banquet treated us to great food, decent entertainment and the excitement that almost everyone in the room was there to get an award or support someone getting one.

The air in Houston isn’t something you breathe, as much as something you swim through. The only thing that kept the temperature in check was the gale force winds. All I can say is that I am very lucky that my hair is short and straight.

I apologize for the long absence. I was out of town last week and catching up on the rest of my life this week.

Here are the answers for the last quiz. A new one will be coming in the next few days. My current theme is going to be basketball, in honor of the Lakers. May they make it all the way to the top this year.

Days into Weeks, Weeks into Seasons:Key

2009-05-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Days into Weeks, Weeks into Seasons: Key

Biannual: d) a and b (occurring twice a year b) occurring every two years)

Biennial: c) occurring every two years or for a two year duration

Diurnal: b) daily; of, relating to or occurring in the day.

Fortnight: d) two-weeks.

Hiemal: c) winter.

Hodiernal: a) today.

Neoteric: b) recent, modern.

Nocturnal: a) nightly; of or relating to, or occurring in the night.

Nudiustertian: d) the day before yesterday.

Nychthemeron: b) a 24 hour period.

Penteteric: d) five years

Perendinate: b) postpone.

Days into Weeks, Weeks into Seasons

2009-04-18T01:36:00.000-07:00

Days into Weeks, Weeks into Seasons

Time may or may not be on our side, but all of the following words deal with some measure of time, weather it be by the clock or the season. Don’t wait forever, make use of your limited time and see how temporally linguistic you are.

Biannual: (adj) a) occurring twice a year b) occurring every two years c) occurring for two years d) a and b

Biennial: (adj) a) occurring every two hundred years b) lasting two hundred years c) occurring every two years or for a two year duration d) something that runs for two years, stops for two years and then starts again for a two year period

Diurnal: (adj) a) plants that shed their leaves in winter. b) daily; of, relating to or occurring in the day. c) occurring every month. d) of or pertaining to night.

Fortnight: (n) a) the seemingly slow passage of time on night watch--used in military or police work. b) actually two months--the period of time it took for the cavalry to complete a fort in the old west. c) four days and three nights, a common “get-away” package. d) two-weeks.

Hiemal: (adj) pertaining to... a) a medical condition that worsens over time b) a period of hibernation c) winter d) spring

Hodiernal (adj) pertaining to.. .a) today b) tomorrow
c) yesterday. d) never.

Neoteric: (adj) a) a blending of science and religion over time. b) recent, modern.
c) outdated. d) happening every nine months.

Nocturnal: (adj) a) nightly; of or relating to, or occurring in the night. b) of or pertaining to or occurring in the day. c) eternal. d) describing something that happens once a year.

Nudiustertian: (adj) of or pertaining to...a) tomorrow. b) things that happen in the month of November. c) the time before clothing. d) the day before yesterday.

Nychthemeron: (n) a) another name for “Old man Time” so often picture in New Years cartoons. b) a 24 hour period. c) a period of darkness. d) when it is both hot and dark.

Penteteric: (adj) recurring every...a) five weeks. b) five days. c) five business days. d) five years

Perendinate: (vt & i) to...a) move backwards in time. b) postpone. c) go on a seemingly endless blind date. d) rent a time share on a condo or apartment.

Sheer Lunacy: Key

2009-04-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

Sheer Lunacy: Key

Blue moon: the third full moon in a season with four full moons
Cislunar: lying between the Earth and the Moon

Esbat: a neopagan celebration held on he full moon of every month

Gibbous: a) convexly rounded b) seen with more than half, but not all of a disc revealed c) having a hump d) all of the above.

Harvest moon: full moon nearest the autumnal equinox
Hunter’s moon: the moon after the harvest moon.

Lunacy: insanity or extreme folly

Lunatic Fringe: members of a movement espousing extreme, eccentric or fanatical views

Moonlighting: to hold a second job

Moonshine: a) the light of the moon b) intoxicating brew generally distilled illegally or at home c) empty talk d) all of the above.

Moon-struck: romantic sentimentality to the point of being mentally unbalanced.

Dark Moon: the period when the moon is in conjunction with the sun and is not visible to the naked eye

Selenium: a non-metallic chemical that varies in electrical conductivity based on the intensity of its illumination.

Sanguine Moon: another name for the Hunter’s moon

Waning: to grow gradually smaller

Waxing: the increase in size, volume or duration.

Sheer Lunacy

2009-04-11T02:11:00.000-07:00

Sheer Lunacy

As the second most prominent astronomical feature in the sky – the sun being the first – the moon has attracted a lot of attention for human kind. It has been important in folklore, astronomy, and astrology. It has been seen as a Goddess, a bringer of romance and insanity as well as having some effect on the tides. Do you know your lunar lingo?

Blue moon: a) when the full moon lasts an extra day b) the third full moon in a season with four full moons c) when a really cold prankster bares their behind at you d) when the moon makes you sad.

Cislunar: a) lying between the Earth and the Moon b) the co-moon that was destroyed 2 billion years ago by a giant asteroid c) the bubbling effect that the moon has on the outgoing tide d) lying outside the orbit of the moon.

Esbat: a) a species of bat that will not fly if the moon is not visible in the sky b) a monk who worships the moon c) an ancient Egyptian Goddess associated with the moon d) a neopagan celebration held on he full moon of every month

Gibbous: a) convexly rounded b) seen with more than half, but not all of a disc revealed c) having a hump d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

Harvest moon: a) in Native American folklore the full moon after the Mead Moon, but before the Snow Moon b) a night long celebration of feasting on the first full moon after the final summer harvest c) full moon nearest the autumnal equinox d) a popular film by Bruce Springsteen

Hunter’s moon: a) the full moon when Neolithic tribesmen stole their brides b) the full moon after the harvest moon. c) the full moon before the Harvest Moon, d) the celebration of a young hunter’s first kill, held on the full moon nearest to the first successful hunt.

Lunacy: a) insanity or extreme folly b) a Looney-Tunes convention held once every four years, c) the original name of the Lindy-Hop d) fear of the dark on moonless nights.

Lunatic Fringe: a) the long fringe worn by flappers in the 1920s b) members of a movement espousing extreme, eccentric or fanatical views c) the group of artists and writers that come before the avant garde d) nudists

Moonlighting: a) showing your bare bottom to an unsuspecting victim. b) working as a private investigator c) to date two people at the same time without either of them knowing about the other d) to hold a second job

Moonshine: a) the light of the moon b) intoxicating brew generally distilled illegally or at home c) empty talk d) all of the above.

Moon-struck: a) same as awestruck or dumbstruck b) being so taken with the beauty of the moon that one is speechless c) a rare phenomena when someone comes out of extended darkness and is temporarily blinded by moon light d) romantic sentimentality to the point of being mentally unbalanced.

Dark Moon: a) the period in the lunar cycle when the moon is in conjunction with the sun and is not visible to the naked eye b) an anti-moon that cannot be seen from Earth but that does effect the tides c) the part of the moon that cannot be seen on Earth. d) the moon that draws vampires out into the night.

Selenium: a) a Greek Goddess b) a non-metallic chemical that varies in electrical conductivity based on the intensity of its illumination. c) a rock that glows in moonlight d) a mineral taken to cure night blindness.

Sanguine Moon: a) the full moon seen in summers in the Northern reaches b) name for eggs pickled in sangria c) another name for the Hunter’s moon d) the full moon reflected in salt water

Waning: a) to grow gradually smaller b) to grow gradually bigger c) to flicker like the moon on a stormy night d) the sound that dogs, wolves and coyotes make when they howl at the moon

Waxing: a) to decrease in size, like a melting candle b) swaying side to side, like dancers in the ancient moon cults of Mesopotamia c) to increase in size, volume or duration. d) to behave in a dramatic fashion

Key: Stong Drink

2009-04-11T02:10:00.000-07:00

Key: Strong Drink

Ebriection: (n) b) mental breakdown from over consumption of alcohol.

Ebrious: (adj) d) tending to drink; lush; mildly drunk
Hipsy: (n) b) drink made up of wine, water & brandy

Muckibus: (n) a) wine boiled and then mixed with honey.

Nimptopsical: (adj) a) word- listed by Ben Franklin, along with over 200 other synonyms for drunk.

Oenometer (n) a) a meter used to determine alcohol content of wine

Shaftsbury: (n) d) a gallon jug of wine

Strong Drink

2009-04-04T00:24:00.000-07:00

Strong Drink

Despite the efforts of churches, temprence societies and governmental agencies the love of the fermented fruit remains high on the human list of fun and foible. All of the words in this weeks list have to do with making, consuming or effects of consuming alcohol. So, sit down, pour yourself a cool one and drink it all in.

Ebriection: (n) a) stumbling on the bricks in the road or cracks in the pavement due to drunkenness. b) mental breakdown from over consumption of alcohol. c) a toast. d) a conviction of drunk driving.

Ebrious: (adj) a) describing any religion that prohibits the use of strong drink. b) describing uncontrolled laughter brought on by alcohol. c) a level of intoxication that leads to black out. d)tending to drink; lush; mildly drunk

Hipsy: (n) a) a hip flask. b) drink made up of wine, water & brandy. c) a girl who drinks. d) drunk; part of a rhyme by e.e. Cummings beginning “Tipsy-hipsy, topsey-turvey, so so drunk,
i poke my own eye...”

Muckibus: (adj) a) so drunk one is vomiting. b) the sober person with a group of drinkers; designated driver. c) likely to stir up trouble after drinking. d) drunk

Mulse: (n) a) wine boiled and then mixed with honey. b) mulled apple cider with cinnamon and raisins. c) one who has passed out from drink. d) a fermented beverage common to West Africa.

Nimptopsical: (adj) a) word- listed by Ben Franklin, along with over 200 other synonyms for drunk. b) topical application of hard liquor to help prevent infection. c) eschewing alcohol.
d) the sludge that floats to the top of beer during the fermentation process.

Oenometer (n) a) a meter used to determine alcohol content of wine. b) the characteristic rhythm and slur of drunken speech. c) a gauge used to determine how many bottles can be filled from a wine cask. d) a measure of outrageous or obnoxious behavior typical of drunkenness, having a scale of 1 (sober) to 15 (violent, lewd and given to physical destruction.)

Shaftsbury: (n) a) like Shaing-hai; a clearing house for sailors and laborers abducted in the ports of Northern England. b) a 12 inch tall beer glass with a bulb at the bottom. c) a homemade dark ale common to Britain. d) a gallon jug of wine

# # #

Key: Anamalia

2009-04-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

Answer Key

Ajaja: (n) a) the rosette spoonbill

Alouatte: (n) c) the South American Howler Monkey

Hackee: (n) d) the chipmunk, so called for the noise it makes

Kaka: (n) a) a parrot of New Zealand (Nestor meridonalis) having a brown body marked with other colors.

Miniver: (n) c) an ermine in it’s white phase

Narwhal: (n) b) a walrus-like mammal with a spotted coat and single long tusk, hunted for it’s ivory

Natterjack: d) the common toad of Western Europe.

Oii: (n) b) the New Zealand mutton-bird

Okapi: (n) d) a giraffe-like animal with a shorter neck, stripes instead of spots and a long blue tongue.

Veery: (n) a) the brown & white thrush

Blogs of Interest

2009-03-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

http://zombiepsychic.com/

Drew the Zombie is just waking up, and wants to take on his journey between worlds. Check it out.

Animalia

2009-03-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

One man's Duster is another man's California Towhee. There are always local names for the flora and fauna. The following words are the local names of many animals that are familiar to us through zoos, TV programs and actual encounters, but usually under a different name.

Ajaja: (n) a) the rosette spoonbill b) the stellers jay c) cactus wren. d) the flamingo

Alouatte: (n) a) the lion faced tamarin. b) tarsier c) the South American Howler Monkey d) the common field mouse.

Hackee: (n) a) a horse that pulls a single rider on a small, light weight buggy, c) a tubercular farm animal on it’s last leg. c) a green jay, common to the American North East, also known as the coughing jay d) the chipmunk, so called for the noise it makes

Kaka: (n) a) a parrot of New Zealand (Nestor meridonalis) having a brown body marked with other colors. b) any animal that defecates in it’s nest or dwelling c) the Chilean rooster d) a small spotted cat that lives on the Serengeti

Miniver: (n) a) a miniature horse strong enough to pull a child’s livery, b) a mythical creature that begins life as a seal, walks on land as a woman and then must return to the sea every ten years, c) an ermine in it’s white phase, d) a door mouse

Narwhal: (n) a) a male deer with a rack of antlers suitable for hanging on a wall, b) a walrus-like mammal with a spotted coat single long tusk, hunted for it’s ivory, c) the call of Alaskan whalers when they spot a whale in the hunt, d) a kind of seagull that can swim through oil spills with very little ill effect.

Natterjack: (n) a) another name for the jackdaw, b) a black and grey Eurasian crow c) a local Irish name for a rodent that appears to whisper to itself while it eats, d) the common toad of Western Europe.

Oii: (n) a) the female hippopotamus, b) the New Zealand mutton-bird, c) an Andean Condor d) a toad named after the sound it makes

Okapi: (n) a) the black capped chickadee, b) a breed of fish that lives in the Amazon who’s upper scales make it almost impossible to see unless underwater, c) a pet mouse that travels inside a hat or cap, d) a giraffe-like animal with a shorter neck, stripes instead of spots and a long blue tongue.

Veery: (n) a) the brown & white thrush b) a breed of African bees c) green frog from south of the boarder, d) any pest animal that congregates in Western Australia

Key: Throw the Bones and Watch the Skies

2009-03-27T16:12:00.000-07:00

Aeromancy: (n) a) weather forecasting/ reading fortunes by watching wind & air.

Aleuromancy: (n) a) fortunetelling with flour

Cartomancy: (n) d) telling fortunes with cards

Catoptromancy: n. b) fortune telling with mirrors.

Cleromancy: (n) a) divination with dice

Gyromancy: (n) c) divination performed by walking around a circle

Hieromancy: (n) b) telling of fortunes by observing & interpreting sacrifices.

Keraunoscopia: (n) d)using thunder to tell fortunes

Lampadedromy: n. b) fortune telling with the torch of a flame.

Myomancy: (n) a) divination by watching mice

Necyomancy :(n) d) fortunetelling by summoning the devil

Omphalomancy: n. a) predicting the number of children a mother will bear by counting the knots on the umbilical chord of her first born.

Oenomancy: a) fortune telling with wine.

Pegomancy: (n) d) divination by watching bubbles rise in a fountain

Throw the Bones and Watch the Skies

2009-03-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Throw the Bones and Watch the Skies

As long as people have been aware that there was a tomorrow, they have hoped to find some way to discover the secrets of the future. Each of the following words is a method of fortune telling or seeking of foreknowledge. See if you can divine the definitions of the words below.

Aeromancy: (n) a) forecasting the fate of airplanes. b)weather forecasting/ reading fortunes by watching wind & air. c) bird watching for future profit. d) using arrows shot into the air to tell the future.

Aleuromancy: (n) a) fortunetelling with flour. b) being able to tell when a young woman will wed. c) divination using aluminum cans. d) flirting with danger when seeking one’s fate.

Cartomancy: (n) a) being able to tell when someone is “putting the cart before the horse.” b) mapping out one’s future. c) using the tracks of a cart to see one’s path. d) divination with cards

Catoptromancy: (n). a) learning one’s future from cats. b)fortune telling with mirrors.c) using the lines on the forehead to tell someone’s future. d) divination with hats.

Cleromancy: (n) a) divination with dice. b) the future of clerical workers. c) literally- “clear sight” into the future. d) divination with rain water.

Gyromancy: (n) a) spinning like a dervish to achieve a trance state for the purpose of fortunetelling. b) use of gyroscope to see the future . c) divination performed by walking around a circle d.) predicting the future of the planet by subtle changes in the electromagnetic field that surrounds the planet.

Hieromancy (n) a) predicting who will be the next king,
b) telling of fortunes by observing & interpreting sacrifices,
c) fortunetelling using hair, d) telling the fortunes of a person's children, not the person themselves.

Keraunoscopia: (n) a) fortunetelling by looking at solar flares and the corona of the sun, b) using small burning pools of kerosene to divine the future, c) telling the fortune of the blind, d) using thunder to tell fortunes

Lampadedromy: n. a) knowing which person at the party is most likely to dance on the table wearing only a lamp shade. b) fortune telling with the flame of a torch. c) using lampreys in predicting the future of the fish catch. d) divination using tea leaves.

Myomancy: (n) a) divination with mushrooms or fungus. b) divination by watching mice, c) telling your own fortune, d) using chanting to achieve a trance state to predict future events.

Necyomancy :(n) a) using the property of the dead to discern the fortunes of their children. b) tossing disc shaped candies onto a soft surface and reading the future in the pattern in which they land. c) divination by candlelight. d) fortunetelling by summoning the devil.

Omphalomancy: n. a) predicting the number of children a mother will bear by counting the knots on the umbilical chord of her first born. b) predicting the number of wives or sexual partners a man will have by marks or bumps on the phallus, c) divining the future by chanting "Om," d) predicting the numbers times someone will have to fail at something before they succeed.

Oenomancy:(n) a) fortune telling with wine. b) fortune telling where only the negative is emphasized. c) divination by burning cork. d) a fortune told for a child before it’s birth.

Palmistry: (n) a) divination using palm fronds from the date palm tree, common to Oceania b) divination by reading the lines on the hands. c) a trick practiced by some unscrupulous fortune tellers where by they distract the client and an accomplice steals money or jewelry. d) a way of telling who’s cheating at cards.

Pegomancy: (n) a) telling fortunes by reading the random pattern of pegs tossed into the air. b) fortunetelling by one legged pirates. c) knowing when tight legged pants will come back into vogue. d) divination by watching bubbles rise in a fountain

Key: Eat Drink and Be Merry

2009-03-20T11:09:00.001-07:00

Eat Drink and Be Merry
Answer Key

Allotriophagy: (n) d) craving of strange foods

Bananavorious: (adj) c) eating mostly bananas

Chankings (n) a) spat out food; i.e. rinds, pits and small bones.

Chtonophagia: (n) b) eating dirt

Dipsetic: (adj) a) thirst provoking

Discubation: (n) b) reclining during meals

Esculent: (adj) b) edible

Galactophagist: (n) d) one who drinks milk

Glycolimia: (n) d) craving for sweet foods

Ingluvious: (adj) a) given to excessive eating

Mycophagy: (n) c) eating of mushrooms or other fungus

Nucivorous: (adj) nut eating

Oligophagous: (adj) b) eating only certain foods

Theophagy: (n) b) Literally “God- Eating” the ritual practice of communion.

Key: The road to nowhere

2009-03-13T00:53:00.000-07:00

Carfax: d)a place where four or more roads intersect.

Circumnavigate: b) to travel completely around something, especially by water

Exodous: d) mass departure

Expedition: c) journey made for a particular purpose

Funambulation: (n) a) dancing or walking on a tightrope

Junket: a) a) a trip made by an official at public expense.

Mundivagant: (n) d) wandering all over the world

Noctambulation: (n) a) sleep-walking

Noctivagation: (n) c) wandering around or traveling at night

Oikofugic: n. b) obsessive wandering

Eat, Drink and Make Merry

2009-03-13T00:44:00.000-07:00

Eat, Drink and Make Merry

Face it, one of the few things I like more than words is food.
All of the following words pertain to food or drink in some way. Some definitions are pretty straight forward. Others may make you want to leave the table.

Allotriophagy: (n) a) eating all of the time b) a theory of food combining where protein, complex carbohydrates and fiber must be eaten in equal amounts at the same time. c) an open air, communal, Roman kitchen. d) craving of strange foods

Bananavorious: (adj) a) allergic to bananas. b) craving bananas. c) eating a diet almost exclusively consisting of bananas. d) craving foods with yellow dye.

Chankings (n) a) spat out food; i.e. rinds, pits and small bones. b) edible intestines of pork of beef. c) candy necklaces. d) Chinese food cooked in the style of the Northern provinces.

Chthonophagia: (n) a) trauma associated with food. b) eating dirt. c) food of the underworld gods. d) food of the dead.

Culinary: (adj) a) an accumulation of food. b) the art of slicing and cutting for garnishing. c) of or related to cooking. d) cleaning fish.

Dipsetic: (adj) a) thirst provoking. b) causing dyspepsia. c) describing foods that are better with dip or sauces. d) adding gelatin to factory baked goods to make them set better and keep from breaking up during shipping.

Discubation: (n) a) cooking chicks in the eggs, a Roman delicacy. b) reclining during meals. c) round cakes or pastries. d) a movement towards more natural, less processed foods.

Esculent: (adj) a) delectable b) edible. c) poisonous. d) fattening

Galactophagist: (n) a) one who’s appetite is enormous. b) a cook who specializes in cooking with dairy products. c) a person who inspects food for insect larva. d) one who drinks milk

Glycolimia: (n) a) inability to digest sugars. b) sugar water used in iv drip. c) adding sugar or honey to beans or legumes. d) craving for sweet foods

Ingluvious: (adj) a) given to excessive eating. b) food that “sticks to the ribs” c) tending to indulge in sweets. d) requiring intravenous feeding.

Mycophagy: (n) a) a disorder where a person hordes food, normally triggered by long periods of food deprivation. b) eating of foods believed to improve intelligence. c) eating of mushrooms or other fungus d) study of edible microorganisms.

Nucivorous: (adj) a) concerned with eating nutritious foods, b) eating only fresh foods, c) nut eating d) picky about one's food to the point of starvation.

Oligophagous: (adj) a) leaf eaters. b) picky; eating only certain foods c) a fat substitute used in some margarine and processed baked goods. d) always leaving a small portion of the plate; not finishing one’s food.

Theophagy: (n) a) the worship of food. b) Literally “God- Eating” the ritual practice of communion. c) food of the soul d) mana or food from above.

On the Road to Nowhere

2009-03-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

On a Road to Nowhere

We’ve all taken a wrong turn or a false step somewhere. After hearing some the words in the following list you may think you’ve stumbled onto the wrong tour bus. Follow them down the primrose path to find out more about roads, wandering and modes of travel.

Carfax: (n) a) part of a mobile office. b) an ancient Egyptian city known as a cross roads of trade. c) another name for the compass rose on a map d) a place where four or more roads intersect.

Circumnavigate: (n) a) to navigate with a compass. b) to travel completely around
something; especially by water. c) a culinary tour of a country or region. d) to travel on a wheeled conveyance.

Exodus: (n) a) crossing a continent from the northern most point to the southern most point. b) a cross roads where one can change direction. c) group travel package. d) mass departure.

Expedition: (n) a) tour led by an expert guide. b) a journey on foot. c) a journey for a particular purpose. d) a journey made with a cameraman.

Funambulation: (n) a) dancing or walking on a tightrope. b) walking in a strange or amusing manner; a silly walk. c) fumigating on foot. d) in martial arts the steps walked between kicks or strikes.

Junket: (n) a) a trip made by an official at public expense. b) a boat tour of Asia. c) all of the things you collect while traveling. d) a buying trip abroad; a mission to import goods.

Mundivagant: (n) a) taking in vagrants. b) the mundane or dull parts of a package tour. c) the knowledge gained from travel. d) wandering all over the world.

Noctambulation: (n) a) sleep-walking. b) sneaking around at night. c) being guided by bird calls. d) flying in the dark using sonar, like bats.

Noctivagation: (n) a) being guided by feel. b) traveling without a navigator. c) wandering around or traveling at night. d) trying to navigate the isle of a plane in turbulence when your feet have become numb from sitting too long.

Oikofugic: (n) a) one who is guided by inner music. b) obsessive wandering. c) an obsessive desire to travel to the Okavango river delta. d) travel fever brought on by documentary television.

Key: Words on Words

2009-03-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

Altiloquence: (n) a) pompous speech

Amadelphous: (n) d) talkative

Claver: (n) b) gossip

Epilegoemenon: (n) a) an added or additionial remark

Epizeuxis: (n) c) emphatic verbal repetition

Facundity: (n) d) eloquence

Fissilingual: (adj) a) having a forked tongue

Galimatias: (n) b) confused, meaningless jargon

Glossolalia: (n) d) gibberish; non-sensical talk

Lamprophony: (n) d) loud, ringing speech

Monoglot: (n) a) someone fluent in only one language

Mugient: (adj) b) bellowing

Remugient: (adj.) b) renewed shouting or bellowing

Suaviloquence: n. a) bland, agreeable, soothing talk

Welcome to The Elusive Tongue

2009-02-27T17:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Elusive Tongue Blog. My fascination with words has led me in many directions. One of them has been to create a weekly column of subject-grouped, off-beat, word quizzes. I will post a quiz a week, with the answers the following week. I will also make occasional posts about words, writing and the writing life. I hope you have fun with the quizzes.

Your Scrivener,
Tasha

Words on Words

2009-02-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more self-referential than words about words. These words are about the gift of gab or language in general. There are more words relating to the gift of gab than can fit into most mouths. Here is a sampling of glossolalia, gibberish and grandeleoquence, or more words about words.

Altiloquence: (n) a)pompous speech. b) speaking in tongues. c) speaking with a high, squeaky voice. d) calming, placating speech patterns.

Amadelphous: (n) a) speaking more than one language. b) prophetic speech. c) sing-song speech patterns. d) talkative.

Claver: (n) a) loud noises. b) gossip. c) witticisms. d) interruptions.

Epilegoemenon: (n) a) an added or additional remark. b) a well timed non-sequitur.
c) a medical discussion. d) talk about hair removal.

Epizeuxis: (n) a) talk interrupted by a seizure. b) an obsessive disorder where a person cannot be diverted from a particular subject. c)emphatic verbal repetition. d) long windedness.

Facundity: (n) a) talking a lot. b) talking about productivity. c) confused speech. d) eloquence.

Fissilingual: (adj) a) having a forked tongue. b) having a quick wit. c) a volcanic temper, erupting in a lava stream of “hot words.” d) saying everything twice.

Galimatias: (n) a) speaking quickly, the words veritably galloping from the mouth b) confused, meaningless jargon, c) speaking of weights and measures d) words coined by the Ancient Roman General Galimatus.

Glossolalia: (n) a) slick, convincing arguments, often said of politicians. b) large vocabulary. c) a stuttering rolling R sound, common to the dialects of the south seas. d) gibberish; non-sensical talk, often said of politicians.

Lamprophony: (n) a) words that refer to light b) cell phone that glows in the dark or come equipped with a light. c) speech that leads the way or gets people excited d)loud, ringing speech

Monoglot: (n) a) someone fluent in only one language b) someone who says the same thing over and over. c) trying to talk with something stuck in the throat. d) a baby’s first spoken word.

Mugient: (adj) a) talking about the weather, b)bellowing, c) one sided conversation d) spitting while talking

Remugient: (adj.) a) ceaseless shouting or bellowing b)renewed shouting or bellowing c) two one sided conversations carried on at once d) to remove or ignore someone who is
talking out of turn

Suaviloquence: n. a) bland, agreeable, soothing talk b) one whotalks their way into places above their station, c) eloquent and well dressed, d) words or speeches pertaining to fashion.

Words on Words

2009-02-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more self-referential than words about words. These words are about the gift of gab or language in general. There are more words relating to words than can fit into most mouths. Here is a sampling of glossolalia, gibberish and grandeleoquence, or more words about words.

Altiloquence: (n) a)pompous speech. b) speaking in tongues. c) speaking with a high, squeaky voice. d) calming, placating speech patterns.

Amadelphous: (n) a) speaking more than one language. b) prophetic speech. c) sing-song speech patterns. d) talkative.

Claver: (n) a) loud noises. b) gossip. c) witticisms. d) interruptions.

Epilegoemenon: (n) a) an added or additional remark. b) a well timed non-sequitur.
c) a medical discussion. d) talk about hair removal.

Epizeuxis: (n) a) talk interrupted by a seizure. b) an obsessive disorder where a person cannot be diverted from a particular subject. c)emphatic verbal repetition. d) long windedness.

Facundity: (n) a) talking a lot. b) talking about productivity. c) confused speech. d) eloquence.

Fissilingual: (adj) a) having a forked tongue. b) having a quick wit. c) a volcanic temper, erupting in a lava stream of “hot words.” d) saying everything twice.

Galimatias: (n) a) speaking quickly, the words veritably galloping from the mouth b) confused, meaningless jargon, c) speaking of weights and measures d) words coined by the Ancient Roman General Galimatus.

Glossolalia: (n) a) slick, convincing arguments, often said of politicians. b) large vocabulary. c) a stuttering rolling R sound, common to the dialects of the south seas. d) gibberish; non-sensical talk, often said of politicians.

Lamprophony: (n) a) words that refer to light b) cell phone that glows in the dark or come equipped with a light. c) speech that leads the way or gets people excited d)loud, ringing speech

Monoglot: (n) a) someone fluent in only one language b) someone who says the same thing over and over. c) trying to talk with something stuck in the throat. d) a baby’s first spoken word.

Mugient: (adj) a) talking about the weather, b)bellowing, c) one sided conversation d) spitting while talking

Remugient: (adj.) a) ceaseless shouting or bellowing b)renewed shouting or bellowing c) two one sided conversations carried on at once d) to remove or ignore someone who is
talking out of turn

Suaviloquence: n. a) bland, agreeable, soothing talk b) one who talks their way into
places above their station, c) eloquent and well dressed, d) words or speeches pertaining to fashion.

The answers will go up with next week's blog.

Until then may the cat never get your tongue.