The "favorite words" thread!

[Bruno28]

And one more thing: We don't want some numpty causing a stooshie with her palaver about "vehicular cycling" vs. other techniques!

Very good! You speak Scots well.

[Duck on Wheels]

schlmiel [sh-l-meeyul]
and schlmazl [sh-l-mahzul]

A schlmiel is a clumsy oaf, and a schlmazl is the unfortunate character oafed upon (if oaf can be used as a verb). E.g. at a restaurant: the schlmiel might be a waiter who spills soup on a customer, that customer then being the schlmazl of the moment.

[Jolt]

schlmiel [sh-l-meeyul]
and schlmazl [sh-l-mahzul]

A schlmiel is a clumsy oaf, and a schlmazl is the unfortunate character oafed upon (if oaf can be used as a verb). E.g. at a restaurant: the schlmiel might be a waiter who spills soup on a customer, that customer then being the schlmazl of the moment.

Those are good--Yiddish does have some amusing ones! And don't forget schmutz!

[DrBee]

schlmiel [sh-l-meeyul]
and schlmazl [sh-l-mahzul]

Weren't those words used in the Laverne & Shirley opening theme?


A few of my favorites:

persnickity
couillon (dumba$$)
framousse (a big 'ol frown that kids are good at making, adults also qualify)

The last 2 are cajun. I'm not sure on the spelling - cajun is one of those things that's spoken and not always written - I often accuse Mr. Bee and his dad of making up words as they go along. I seem to keep hearing new words.

[mimitabby]

Weren't those words used in the Laverne & Shirley opening theme?


A few of my favorites:

persnickity
couillon (dumba$$)
framousse (a big 'ol frown that kids are good at making, adults also qualify)

The last 2 are cajun. I'm not sure on the spelling - cajun is one of those things that's spoken and not always written - I often accuse Mr. Bee and his dad of making up words as they go along. I seem to keep hearing new words.

couillon = culo italian rude word for your buttocks

[Mr. Bloom]

OK, it's not a total hijack since others have interjected 'poetry'...but here's my favorite limerick (and Silver will attest that I've known it for years)

A canner exceedingly canny
One morning remarked to his granny
A canner can can anything that he can
But a canner can't can a can, can he?

It makes total sense, which still amazes me 35 years after I first read it...

[Zen]

A canner can can a can if she is a canny canner.
And has a hammer.

[Jolt]

Very good! You speak Scots well.

Thanks!

[Duck on Wheels]

My maternal grandfather's favorite was the German word for tank:
schutzengrabenvernichtungsautomobil
(artillery trench destroying vehicle)

He said it illustrated how the language had been a factor in the Germans losing both world wars. Just compare the time it takes to give the same order in German and English:

Send tanks!
Bie mir die schutzengrabenvernichtungsautomobils gesenden! (or something like that, I don't actually know German)

[Zen]

German is such a lilting, musical language isn't it?

[Dr. Liz]

My maternal grandfather's favorite was the German word for tank:
schutzengrabenvernichtungsautomobil
(artillery trench destroying vehicle)

He said it illustrated how the language had been a factor in the Germans losing both world wars. Just compare the time it takes to give the same order in German and English:

Send tanks!
Bie mir die schutzengrabenvernichtungsautomobils gesenden! (or something like that, I don't actually know German)

Waffenstillenstahentag (it's been years since I studied German, so I may have misspelled that). If I remember correctly, it is Armistice Day - literally, The Day the Weapons Stood Still.

But if I get to pick a name as my favorite word? Vercingetorix.

It just rolls off your tongue. I SO want to name our next dog Vercingetorix, but it might be a little tough in obedience school!

[margo49]

What does it mean?

[Dr. Liz]

Vercingetorix, d. 46 B.C., leader of the Gauls, a chieftain of the Arverni. He was the leader of the great revolt against the Romans in 52 B.C. Julius Caesar, upon hearing of the trouble, rushed to put it down. Vercingetorix was, however, an able leader and adopted the policy of retreating to heavy, natural fortifications and burning the Gallic towns to keep the Roman soldiers from living off the land. Caesar and his chief lieutenant Labienus lost in minor engagements, but when Vercingetorix shut himself up in Alesia and summoned all his Gallic allies to attack the besieging Romans, the true brilliance of Caesar appeared. He defeated the Gallic relieving force and took the fortress. Vercingetorix was captured and, after gracing Caesar's triumphal return to Rome, was put to death.

(thanks to www.reference.com - too lazy to type it all up myself! )

The guy was one of the first 'barbarians' to make the Romans sit up and take notice. But more importantly, he's got a COOL name!!!! It just sort of rolls off the tongue! (Much more cool than Caesar, too, if you ask me!)

[NJBikeGal]

Enunciate!

Brought to you by the morons who zoom past you in their cars, yelling stupid stuff out the window, but all we hear is "SJAODJKAAARRRGGGHHH"

Yes, I'm sure that you think the profanities that you are spewing out the window at the cyclist panting her way through interval training is hilarious...but if I'm going to join in the fun...ENUNCIATE!