A.Word.A.Day -- AWADmail Issue 1157

A.Word.A.Day

Home

AWADmail Issue 1157

A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and Language

Sponsor’s Message: OLD’S COOL. SM(ART)IST. CAFFIEND. JUST DO WIT. -- Try our wicked humor on for size. 100% Cotton Beautifully Made in America T-shirts. A terrific gift. Shop Now.

From: David Micklethwait (micklethwait hotmail.com)
Subject: effervescent

When I was little (about 75 years ago) I came across this word as part of a fanciful Cockney alphabet that started:
A for ‘orses (hay for horses)
B for mutton (beef or mutton)
C for sailors (sea for sailors)

Later, it had “F for ‘vescence” (effervescence).

David Micklethwait, London, UK

From: Elizabeth Block (elizabethblock netzero.net)
Subject: Malodorous

I love the picture of the skunk heading up Enron. There’s a resident skunk in my neighbourhood. Maybe more than one! Beautiful, but doesn’t wear a tie. I’ve seen it, more than once, but never smelled it, which I think means it has never sprayed. The landlord would like to get rid of it. Why?

Elizabeth Block, Toronto, Canada

From: Lawrence Crumb (lcrumb uoregon.edu)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--aspersion

The Asperges is a rite used before a sung mass, in which the priest sprinkles the congregation with holy water, using a wand called an aspergillum. The rite takes its name from the chant that is sung, “Asperges me hyssopo et mundabor” (Thou shalt purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, Psalm 51:7).

Lawrence Crumb, Eugene, Oregon

Email of the Week -- Brought to you buy OLD’S COOL -- Fits wiseacres to a tee.

From: Florian Patrick Thomas (thomasfp slu.edu)
Subject: aspersion

“Casting aspersions” became notorious when in 2014 current Texas representative and former judge Louis Gohmert and Attorney General Eric Holder had a discussion at a House Judiciary Committee meeting. In an argument Gohmert said “The attorney general will not cast aspersions on my asparagus.” To date the intent of his statement is clouded in mystery, but the line has become a running joke.

Florian Patrick Thomas, St. Louis, Missouri

From: Chuck Cole (cncole earthlink.net)
Subject: aspersion

I enjoy wordplay, especially malapropisms! I say “casting asparagus” instead of aspersions because it’s so much more graphic. Similarly, “issuing old tomatoes” (as if throwing them) instead of issuing an ultimatum.

Chuck Cole, St Paul, Minnesota

From: Steve Benko (stevebenko1 gmail.com)
Subject: literal and figurative

A Tom Swifty: “I love champagne!” said Tom effervescently.

“You can shower all you want, but you’re still malodorous,” said Melania.

“Thou art a sinner!” said John the Baptist, casting an aspersion.

Steve Benko, New York, New York

From: Alex McCrae (ajmccrae277 gmail.com)
Subject: effervescent and piquant

The word “effervescent” conjures up fond recollections from my ‘50s youth, and the go-to upset-tummy remedy Alka Seltzer with its cute mascot, Speedy. Just watching those white tablets fizz away was a marvel to my young eyes. Here, my animator brain kicks in with a reprise of yet another Speedy, namely Warner Bros. endearing Mexican mouse, Speedy Gonzales. Two Speedies for the price of one. Ha!

Seeing our word “piquant” suggested spicy Asian cuisine, from the fiery dishes of China’s Sichuan region, to the subtle spicy nuances of Kashmiri cooking. Perhaps you’ve had the occasion to dine at an Indian restaurant where the server asks, “How spicy?” Your “mild” may not be the chef’s idea of mild. No amount of rice, or gulps of water will quell that fire in the belly (and mouth) and the flow of tears.

Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California

Anagrams


This week’s theme: Words used figuratively 1. Effervescent 2. Malodorous 3. Piquant 4. Fulgent 5. Aspersion	=	1. Cheerful dude (topmost) 2. i.e. quite foul 3. Stings tongue or maw 4. Vast sheeny view 5. Speaker riffs slander
		-Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com)

=	1. Foaming, quite pert 2. Foul stink 3. Has a spicy edge (we serve southwest “verde”) 4. Luminous 5. Slander effort	=	1. Quite vivacious 2. We detest fetid, do resent whiffy 3. Pungent espresso 4. Agleam, shone 5. Flak, slur, rumor
	-Dharam Khalsa, Burlington, North Carolina (dharamkk2 gmail.com)		-Julian Lofts, Auckland, New Zealand (jalofts xtra.co.nz)

Make your own anagrams and animations.

Limericks

Effervescent

I recall that when I was pubescent,
I was bubbly and bright, effervescent.
But those halcyon days
Were a passing, brief phase;
And now (just don’t ask) I’m senescent.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

One candidate’s prone to complain;
The other’s more joyful, it’s plain.
With smile effervescent
And glow incandescent,
Ms. Harris sets out to campaign.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

I was so effervescent in youth;
Just bubbly, not ever uncouth!
But age has diminished
My outlook; I’m finished.
So tired! Oh gee, that’s the truth!
-Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com)

“Someday when me find Fertile Crescent,”
Said Oog, “me will be effervescent!
No more hunting! Grow food!
With real house, wife in mood!
If she’d only stop chatter incessant.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Malodorous

Have you ever tried Limburger cheese?
Your taste buds, I’m sure, it would please.
It’s malodorous, true.
So I must assure you,
Your objection will pass in a breeze.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

Phew, you’ve cooked a malodorous dish!
It’s an ugly, snake look-alike fish.
Boiled cabbage on eel,
For me seals the deal;
My dear, have it all, if you wish!
-Sondra Landin, New York, New York (sunnytravel att.net)

Just what was Trump going to do
With documents stashed in the loo?
I don’t understand
What things he had planned;
I find it malodorous, too.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

“Democracy? Ugh! It’s malodorous;
To win enough votes is too onerous,”
Said Donald. “And down
I went with Willie Brown!”
Will we let such a con man rule over us?
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Piquant

I use the word “piquant” at times,
In ice cold and searing hot climes.
I employ it with grace
In this keen lim’rick race,
To spice up the best of my rhymes.
-Sondra Landin, New York, New York (sunnytravel att.net)

The cleverest fellow I know
Is famous for all his bon mots.
How piquant his wit --
Each quip is a hit!
If he’s throwing a party, let’s go!
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

When debating we’ll see Donald rant.
He is known for his manner piquant.
So Harris would like
The guy on a hot mike,
‘Cause she knows that he will disenchant.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“To steal the election we want,
For Donald says things so piquant!”
said the crowd at the rally.
Its size, though? The tally
Keeps shrinking; it’s like this wee font.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Fulgent

We agree that Trump’s hardly a dull gent.
His smile, some folks think of as fulgent.
Will he charm us, my dears,
And get four more years?
No, no! We can’t be that indulgent.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

“That diamond is fulgent indeed!”
“It’s gorgeous,” her husband agreed.
“Indulge me, my dear,
Because it is clear
That this is the necklace I need.”
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

What a bright fulgent creature she was!
Wherever she went, such a buzz
Went up through the crowd;
And gee, I was proud
‘Cause she, Mary Lee, was my cuz!
-Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com)

If you give them your watch, a consultant
Will at telling the time be quite fulgent.
Then they’ll give you a bill
Which will make you feel ill,
But be happy; you’ve made them exultant.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Aspersion

To Trump I’ve a serious aversion.
He’s the avatar of sheer perversion.
In him I am seeing
A vile human being.
That’s a fact, not an idle aspersion.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

Trump’s casting aspersions, oy vey!
He makes accusations each day.
But it’s very well known
That sins of his own
He’s often confessing this way.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

There once was a man with a version
Of tales filled with spite and aspersion.
He’d gossip all day
In a most wicked way,
Till his friends staged a rapid dispersion.
-Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com)

When baptized, the poor baby cried.
His discomfort could not be denied.
He had an aversion
To priestly aspersion.
His parents, though, both beamed with pride.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

On your kitty I’ll cast no aspersion,
But mine’s prettier - long-haired, a Persian.
At least we’re agreed
On which pet people need;
Canine lovers should go through conversion.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Puns

“Bossie? Zat h-effervescent to ze barn to deliver her calf,” explained Hans the farmhand.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

On her nostalgic visit to the French town of St. Malodorous Day sang “Que Sera Sera” for old times’ sake.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Mom! I must piquant hold it any longer,” cried the little girl waiting on the long bathroom line.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“I bought the Miss USA Pageant so I could piquant-o the girls’ dressing rooms,” bragged Donald to Howard Stern.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“You must take a break from writing every hour or so. Even a great philosopher like you needs to piquant,” urged Immanuel’s colleague.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Of hypocrisy you are all very fulgent-lemen,” said Hester Prynne.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Her udder is fulgent-ly pull on it to release milk into the pail,” the dairy farmer instructed his daughter.
-Janice Power, Cleveland, Ohio (powerjanice782 gmail.com)

Being a friendly ghost, C-aspersion-ed banshees, goblins, and other evil spirits.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Flattery won’t hurt you if you don’t swallow it. -Kin Hubbard, humorist (1 Sep 1868-1930)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise