\ FOS-ik \, verb; 1. To search for any object by which to make gain. 2.Mining. To undermine another’s digging; search for waste gold in relinquished workings, washingplaces, etc. 3. To hunt; seek; ferret out. “Sweet Benjamin, necessity is upon us, darling. Please suit up and fossick for the pie. Promptly.” Interestingly enough, ‘fossick’ makes me think in a British accent and imagine a lifestyle full of afternoon tea and homemade tarts. “Lovey cakes, you do not fossick fast enough. We mustn’t keep theContinue reading “fossick.”
Category Archives: Words
mussitate.
\MUHS-i-teyt\, verb: To silently move the lips in simulation of audible speech. Today was homecoming on the quaint campus of Mars Hill College and we were surrounded by cool breezes, the smell of the baptist’s bbq, and a whole lot of mussitating. The Lunsford festival is crowded, because it offers everything great that Madison County offers,Continue reading “mussitate.”
efface.
\ ih-FAYS \ , transitive verb; 1. To cause to disappear by rubbing out, striking out, etc.; to erase; to render illegible or indiscernible. 2. To destroy, as a mental impression; to wipe out; to eliminate completely. 3. To make (oneself) inconspicuous. Dear Employer, We need to talk. It’s not you. It’s me. This is just no longer working out. I can’t see you full time anymore. Almost two years together, and you have sucked the life out of me. I am no longer a patient or loving person, and IContinue reading “efface.”
rigmarole.
\ RIG-muh-rohl \ , noun; 1. An elaborate or complicated procedure. 2. Confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk When attempting to write ‘rigmarole’ in my phone, t9 suggested signarle, then rignapole. This made me laugh harder than I had laughed all day, and that made me wonder about my sense of humor. I’m starting work tomorrow in Mars Hill, NC but I do not have a place toContinue reading “rigmarole.”
hobbledehoy.
\ HOB-uhl-dee-hoy \ noun; 1. An awkward, gawky young fellow. I’m lined up to fly into fall tonight. Departing from the steamy asphalt of Clearwater and arriving in the refreshing breeze of the Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge Breezes are what I’ve been craving. The airport is frigid. I’m tempted to unzip my packed suitcase to throw some socks on with my chacos. MyContinue reading “hobbledehoy.”
hypocorism.
[hahy-pok–uh-riz-uhm, hi-]–noun 1. a pet name. 2. the practice of using a pet name. 3. the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, esp. by an adult. I had a very appropriate pet name my freshman year of high school. Simply “my pet.” Though there was nothing ‘simple’ about the name giver. I often heard his name mentioned in the halls between class. Tom Porter this, Tom Porter that. Curly dark hair and eyes as blue asContinue reading “hypocorism.”
electric.
I was shocked by the electrical plug and I can now cook organic veggie burgers, Thai green curry, and rice at the perfect texture. Shocked? I really am learning a lot here. I was in charge of dinner last night and the kids devoured it, so I call it a success. It is spring here,Continue reading “electric.”
powerball.
I bought a one-way ticket and will arrive in Auckland on September 19th, my 28th birthday, after a 20 hour flight from Tampa. I bought a powerball ticket (jackpot was $300 million) and realized that my plans wouldn’t even change if I won. Well, I guess I wouldn’t shear sheep or scrub toilets whileContinue reading “powerball.”
waterproof.
While at my favorite downtown bookstore, I saw a waterproof journal in the travel section. I flipped through the pages, figured I needed it, checked the price, then decided I’d write while undercover for free.
