Words, Meanings, Language & Quotes

[des-wi-tood, -tyood ] [noun] The state of being no longer used or practiced. A very few people, not appearing to be up to much, sat far apart at desks in a dimly lighted panorama of desuetude. PETER SCHJELDAHL, "THE VILLAGE VOICE'S MAGIC MIRROR," THE NEW YORKER, SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 The practice of “leaving a calling card” may have fallen into desuetude among human beings, but as a description of pet behavior the phrase continues to have legs. CULLEN MURPHY, "ANTICIPATION," THE ATLANTIC, NOVEMBER 1998

The Queen’s English has changed over 60 years, and much for the better, argues the 'Countdown’ word wizard Susie Dent Telegraph May 21, 2012 The notion of “Queen’s English” is usually applied to our pronunciation. Taking the term at its most literal, our monarch’s own sounds are enlightening when it comes to language change during her reign. Phoneticians have noted subtle but distinct changes in Her Majesty’s voice over the past 60 years, amounting to a more democratic style of pronunciation. Evidence from a detailed acoustic analysis of royal Christmas broadcasts suggests that Estuary English, a term coined in the Eighties to describe the apparent spread of London’s sound patterns to counties adjoining the river, might well have had an influence on Her Majesty’s vowels. If in 1952 the royal complaint may have been “I’ve lorst thet bleck het”, then today those o’s and a’s would undoubtedly be more rounded. In the same way, “orf” was left behind and “off” ushered in, “veddy” be...

Fleur Morrison Oxford Australia (blog) September 2019 noun: (esp. of a woman) the practice or habit of taking the least attractive item or option; the practice or habit of putting the needs and desires of others ahead of one’s own. Several years ago an Australian journalist described the experience of playing Monopoly with her family: ‘My brothers fought over the racing car while Mum and I angled for the boot—though she would always give it up for something else because, you know, burnt chop syndrome.’ (Northern Territory News, 27 December 2015) The writer’s use of burnt chop syndrome is likely to have puzzled some readers. It’s a reference to the mother’s practice of allowing others to have what they want, in this case the best Monopoly token, and making do with what is left. If the habit of domestic sacrifice is a universal mothering trait, burnt chop syndrome is an Australian (and New Zealand) way to describe it. It derives from the literal notion that mothers will choo...

Giving only the illusion of plenty; illusory: a Barmecidal banquet. QUOTES The men employed by Mr. Hackley, the Street Contractor, assembled yesterday, the regular pay-day, at the office, in the Park, to receive their semi-monthly wages, but they were met by the assurance that there was no money, and that it was only a Barmecidal pay-day. -- "The Street Contractor's Pay-Day, but no Money," New York Times, January 22, 1862

also schtarker, shtarka, shtarker, shtorikue, starker[Yid.] 1. a strong, brave man (occas. woman), an important person (esp. used ironically). 2. a thug, a hoodlum. In a series of interviews he seemed to me a redeeming thug, a man creating himself by merging traits of biblical heroes, charismatic rabbis and the shtarkers of Brownsville's Murder Incorporated. New York Times, March 6, 1994 More   

August 21, 2017 Banausic: serving utilitarian purposes only; mechanical;practica l: architecture that was more banausicthan inspired.

marplot [mahr-plot] noun 1. a person who mars or defeats a plot , design, or project by meddling. First recorded in 1700-10 I'm sorry to be such a marplot, but you can take it out in quizzing me afterI'm gone. Rose in Bloom Louisa May Alcott marplot, an officious bungler, who spoils everything he interferes with. The Slang Dictionary John Camden Hotten Our only marplot has been laid by the heels at the very nick of time. Cripps, the Carrier R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore