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May 29, 2022
This week’s themeWords that sound dirty (but aren’t) This week’s words nudum pactum titubation twattle cock of the walk penetralia How popular are they? Relative usage over time AWADmail archives Index 
Like what you see here?Send a gift subscription Next week’s theme Portmanteaux (blend words) 
AWADmail Issue 1039A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and LanguageSponsor’s Message: “Yes it is!” This teen on a bicycle skids right in front of me on lower Thames, a rascally twinkle in his eye. He looks down at my OLD’S COOL t-shirt, snickers, and then looks back up at me dead in the eye. He shakes his headful of fusilli curls, contemptuously. “No it isn’t.” Our old-school heavy-duty 100% cotton truth fits traditionalistas to a tee. Polos and rugbys too. A fantastic gift! Shop Now. From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) Subject: Interesting stories from the Net Chimpanzees Have Their Own Language Salon Permalink Is Quebec About to Push canada Into Another Language War? Toronto Star Permalink From: John Carver (john.carver obloketure.ca) Subject: nudum pactum Last week in Canada’s House of Commons a petition was read calling for repeal of the section of the Criminal Code outlawing public nudity. If passed into law, would charges of indecent exposure become nudum pactum? John Carver, Duncan, Canada
Email of the Week -- Brought to you buy OLD’S COOL -- Look 10 lbs smarter.
From: Virginia Glover (dvglover101 gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--nudum pactum When I married my beloved Don (as his third and ultimate wife), I insisted that we would have breakfast together every day, and that a clause to that effect should be included in our marriage contract. His lawyer fell about laughing, asking, “How do you enforce that?” Virginia Glover, Brockville, Canada From: Jim Tang (mauijt aol.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--nudum pactum It’s been 30 years this month since I took my contracts final with the legendary Prof. Claude Rohwer, but I have a feeling the Latin term was considered too prurient for first-year law students. The term we applied to this concept was an illusory contract, and the lack of consideration meant that either contracting party failed to provide a legal detriment in return. The detriment can be either doing something you don’t have to do (e.g., promising to pay the agreed amount), or not doing something you are entitled to do (e.g., not offering the goods to anybody else in the meantime). I still remember my classmate Carla providing the consideration definition while in Prof. Rohwer’s hot seat, a moment comparable to Eliza Doolittle reciting “The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain” perfectly for Prof. Higgins. On the other hand, you could also say that a nudum pactum fails as a binding contract due to lack of “skin in the game”. So calling it an illusory contract due to lack of consideration might be a reasonably dignified attempt to discourage snickering in the courtroom. Jim Tang, Kula, Hawaii From: Andrew Pressburger (andpress sympatico.ca) Subject: titubation In Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta The Mikado, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, sings a song to a bird named tit willow (here performed by Rowlf the Dog and Sam the Eagle of the Muppets: video, 2 min.) Not only does the listener get one, but three supposedly dirty words: tit, dick (as in dicky bird), and poo (name of the character who is singing the song). Such innocence deserves appropriate merit. Andrew Pressburger, Toronto, Canada From: Peirce Hammond (Peirceah.03.01 gmail.com) Subject: Harry Emerson Fosdick quotation
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined. -Harry Emerson Fosdick, preacher and author (24 May 1878-1969) Harry Emerson Fosdick is wrong about horses (they ate, drank, bred, and thrived without being harnessed), about gas (it drives volcanoes to escape confinement), about Niagara (it powers a river with no tunnel and sparkles light from the sun), and life in the wild can be great (take Denali or a buffalo herd). Peirce Hammond, Bethesda, Maryland From: David Rogers (davidrogersbooks gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--titubation Fosdick? Thanks, but no. Surely there are thoughts more worthwhile from better thinkers than that apologist for the military-industrial-animal-cruelty complex. David Rogers, Cave City, Kentucky From: Steve Robinson (spr lawrobinson.com) Subject: Today’s ATFT Today’s ATFT is hopelessly anthropocentric, stripping horses of any agency. Steve Robinson, Glendale, California From: Adrien Peu (sub.intelligitur sonic.net) Subject: Quotations We always enjoy AWAD. To us you are as important and worthy of support as Wikimedia, MSF, and Wait But Why. Your quotations challenge us, on a daily basis, to think, and are usually celebrated by our mind-weave. But since everything in the mortal world is partial and temporary, your thoughts are intended to make us analyze, not merely make us smile. This one, in our perception, is an unfortunate choice for these times. Fosdick chose religion as his master and his tool for dominating others, and devoted mind and pen to its service. In this quotation, the horse, the steam, the gas, the waterfall, and the life are presented in the objective case. Many humans make that choice, saying that unless they want to be subjugated, they must rule. That sentiment posits that all the dynamic forces in existence must be subjugated and serve the will, whim and purpose of a confining, dominating other. What if instead it was allowed to exist in peace and carry out the destiny of its own creation? Adrien Peu, Berkeley, California
This quotation spoke to me because it talked about the importance
of self-discipline. I did pause at the initial part (“No horse gets
anywhere until he is harnessed”) because no animal needs or deserves
to be harnessed, but I chose to overlook it in the service of the bigger
point. Thanks to everyone who wrote in response to this quotation. As
a counter to the initial part of Fosdick’s quotation, here’s one I
featured last year:
The animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more
complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with
extension of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices
we shall never hear. They are not brethren; they are not underlings;
they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and
time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.
-Henry Beston, naturalist and author (1 Jun 1888-1968)
-Anu Garg
From: Paul Castaldi (paulcast55 verizon.net) Subject: Twattle? Tosh! I usually see this word spelled as twaddle. Here is a short but hilarious (to me, anyway) relevant excerpt from a Cheers (24 sec.) episode involving a very American character’s affected British speech. Paul Castaldi, Havertown, Pennsylvania From: Carolanne Reynolds (cr carolanne.ca) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--cock of the walk USAGE:
“Father, that woman is so bossy. She thinks she’s the cock of the walk.”Shirley J. Mize; Hell at Tannehill; Infinity; 2006. She’s the hen of the pen! Carolanne Reynolds, West Vancouver, Canada From: Johnson Flucker (johnson.flucker yale.edu) Subject: “I’m especially good at expectorating.” -Gaston in Beauty and the Beast (2017) So nice to read the incomparable Howard Ashman’s words from Gaston’s song. The other zinger line from the same item is, “I use antlers in all of my decorating.” Also, I am honored to have been a chorus member in the 1991 animated version of Beauty and the Beast. Though now retired, I was a classically-trained professional singer. Due to NY-based lyricist Howard Ashman’s failing health, the “Beauty and the Beast” soundtrack was recorded in New York rather than Los Angeles. Classically-trained singers were added to the largely musical-theater-voiced vocal ensemble to lend more oomph. Based in New York, I was known to the good folks who were doing the hiring and the rest, as is said, is history. Disney artists also used me as a model for one of Gaston’s henchmen. How about that?! Johnson Flucker, Trumbull, Connecticut From: Kath O’Sullivan (pudsyduck gmail.com) Subject: Compassion is not weakeness or socialism
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Compassion is not weakness and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism. -Hubert Humphrey, US Vice President (27 May 1911-1978) Please tell this to the opposition party here in New Zealand! You published it whilst our compassionate Prime Minister is visiting your country. Thank you, it hit the nail on the head. Kath O’Sullivan, Auckland, New Zealand From: Wade Douglas (wadedouglas42 gmail.com) Subject: dirty words Interesting that our culture still views sex as “dirty” or thoughts of sex as being “in the gutter”. Wade Douglas, South Salem, Ohio From: Susan Turansky (catsmeowsusan gmail.com) Subject: “dirty” words I wonder why you consider body parts and sexuality “dirty”. To me, dirty words are those words that imply that some humans are better than others, that our body parts are something to be ashamed of, that sexuality is something not to mention. I still find it sad that the people who put out A.Word.A.Day and seemingly are trying to make language more interesting and well-rounded have such a reactionary attitude toward bodies and sexuality. Susan Turansky, Montreal, Canada
We had said “Words that sound dirty (but aren’t).” It’s not us
who consider such words dirty. We use and show words as they are
treated in the language. Words, in turn, show who we are as a
society. That’s why we had said on Monday that email systems at
some organizations were going to reject email this week. Sure enough,
we received a whole bunch of bounces like this:
“This message has been rejected due to objectionable content. The
message may be resent with the objectionable content removed.”
Sometimes we replace a letter with something from the Greek alphabet,
for example, breαst. Unfortunately, many of the email filters have
become “smart” and catch even those.
-Anu Garg From: Karen Folsom (kgfols yahoo.com) subject: Cock of the walk and penetralia  
Cock of the walk: Add pomposity to arrogance and you get turkey cock of the walk. Why not go for broke on imperiousness!
Penetralia: Into the spine of the secret deep
Karen Folsom, Santa Barbara, California 
Subject: titubation and cock of the walk Stutterers and stammerers have been mocked and maligned for their speech impediments for a long time. Yet in the cartoon character realm, the golden-era Warner Bros. animation scribes and cartoonists used the titubations of Daffy Duck and Porky Pig to their comedic advantage. Daffy was even saddled with a lisp. Here, Froggy steals Porky’s signature parting refrain... “Tha-tha-tha-that’s all folks!” 
Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California Anagrams
Make your own anagrams and animations. Limericks Nudum Pactum Mr. Devil, that contract, though signed By my client Dr. Faust, does not bind; Just observe the loophole: It says “his worthless soul” -- No value, nudum pactum, you’ll find. -Duncan Howarth, Maidstone, UK (duncanhowarth aol.com) “Nudum pactum, indeed. Ruddy cheek!” “Who said that, then?” “That saucy old beak. Said I ain’t got no case There’s no contract in place, Cos I didn’t respond, so to speak.” -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) A lot of regrets has he had At signing a contract so bad. Good lawyers -- he lacked ‘em And hence nudum pactum -- He’ll never get paid, and that’s sad. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Now they sealed the deal just with a shake, And we know that it was a mistake. For it wasn’t a factum, But a nudum pactum. Since his partner was truly a snake. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) The vote he declared nudum pactum; Those who told him the truth? Hah! He sacked ‘em. But Rudy and Bannon Found every loose cannon, And said, “On Jan 6 we’ll attract ‘em.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Titubation Long ago in our youthful gambolling We loved shaking and rattling and rolling: Vibration, gyration -- Controlled titubation -- But the shakes are now past our controlling. -Duncan Howarth, Maidstone, UK (duncanhowarth aol.com) “Titubation quotidian, eh?” “Comes on round about nine every day. I step out of the bar, To walk home -- it’s not far -- And I stagger and lurch all the way.” -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) Says cop to car driver, “I think that you’ve had way too much, sir, to drink. It seems the causation of your titubation. I’m taking you, sir, to the clink!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) He overindulged in libation -- He couldn’t resist the temptation. And now you know why That hiccuping guy Is walking with such titubation. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Post a thunderous ovation, when he rose to speak to the nation, The teleprompter froze, and President’s prose was mangled by titubation. -Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com) Democracy’s sad titubation Spells trouble ahead for our nation. “Who needs an election? I’ll make the selection!” That’s Doug Mastriano’s fixation. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Twattle “He’s a writer -- an erudite geek.” “Wouldn’t know it to hear the chap speak.” “Whilst he’s hitting the bottle He’s apt to talk twattle.” “In that, sir, he isn’t unique.” -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) Says she to her mate, “You appear to be overly-talkative, dear, when hitting the bottle. Enough of your twattle! Such nonsense I’d rather not hear!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) The nonsense that comes from Ted Cruz Is constantly making the news. He’s no Aristotle; He’s just full of twattle -- I’m not much impressed with his views. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) He and I (when our lives were at ease) met quite often to shoot the breeze. What we talked was twattle, re: sports and Aristotle; Missed the forest we did, for the trees. -Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com) He drank quite a bit from the bottle, Then started to weave and to waddle. Said he with a snicker, “I can’t hold my liquor?” And, adds, “Just ridiculous twattle.” -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “Hey Plato,” complained Aristotle, “That stuff you’ve been teaching is twattle. A philosopher king Isn’t really the thing; All your theories I’ll need to remodel.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Cock of the walk He wasn’t just talking the talk Henry VIII walked the ‘cock-of-the’ walk. No Lady-in-Waiting Would turn down his dating -- When you’re King you have no need to stalk. -Duncan Howarth, Maidstone, UK (duncanhowarth aol.com) “Yes, ‘e thinks hisself cock o’ the walk. Watch ‘im struttin’ ‘is stuff. (‘E’s all talk.) When a real tough come by An’ put one in ‘is eye, Feathers flew then, and ‘ow ‘e did squawk.” -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) There once was a young farmerette who declared, “I will never forget when our cock of the walk was defied by a hawk, and each hen began placing her bet!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) Have you seen how that bloke struts about? He’s a cock of the walk, there’s no doubt. He’s so self-impressed -- He thinks he’s the best, And his chest all puffed up he thrusts out. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Now Trump thinks he’s cock of the walk. It shows in his acts, and his talk. A celebrity schmoozer, The real “Biggest Loser,” And just a big, mean chicken hawk. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “Other birds call me ‘cock of the walk’? I’m deeply in shock,” said the hawk. “That’s only a chicken! Some butts I’ll be kickin’; Who dareth me mock with such talk?” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Penetralia He thought that his own genitalia Would match with his date’s penetralia. They soon tried it out, And both gave a shout, And called it their best saturnalia. -Lawrence Crumb, Eugene, Oregon (lcrumb uoregon.edu) Aboriginal lads are sent out To survive -- and prove manhood, no doubt -- The deep penetralia Of wildest Australia For their coming-of-age walkabout. -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) Down deep in the cave’s penetralia, I hope that your lantern won’t fail ya. For it’s darker than night, And you’ll need that light -- Your cellphone, you know, won’t avail ya. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) I wonder how deep you must go In the world of political woe To learn, inter alia, The dark penetralia That lurks in a candidate -- whoa! -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) “Boys, we’ll head for the hills’ penetralia,” Said Sundance and Butch. “We won’t fail ya. We’ll make homes for us all In the Hole-in-the-Wall, And bring train-robbing paraphernalia.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Puns “I quack, therefore I mus-twattle,” said René Duckartes. -Janice Power, Cleveland, Ohio, (powerjanice782 gmail.com), in collaboration with Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “Down, boy. My twattle be open for business after dinner,” Stormy scolded Donald. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “If only I could fly the whole way, we’d get there so much faster,” said the cock of the walk. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) The movie star thought he would be a great director, and called himself the Hitch-cock of the walk. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “I’m writin’ down every word ya say,” said the secretary. “I’m right behind ya and with a penetralia.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) 
Subject: Pelosi Tells It Like It Is San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone (not to be confused with fictive Godfather Vito Corleone) has denied devout Catholic, Nancy Pelosi, Holy Communion. He claimed, “My motives were pastoral, not political.” Maybe he should be sent out to pasture? It boggles the mind that these clergymen feel they have the ultimate moral authority. As George Will wrote in The Washington Post: “The Church’s crime wave is global.” Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
-John F. Kennedy, 35th US president (29 May 1917-1963)
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