Neologisms
Mike from Cadillac
challenged me to come up with some words that we could use if they actually
existed. Rather than taking time out to make some up during this very busy
season, I’m going to cheat and offer some that I wrote in an article a few
years back.
kerysomnia
n. The unfailing ability to fall asleep during a
sermon. [< Gr keryssein, to proclaim, + L somnus, sleep]
synchrotenation
n. That embarrassing moment at the family dinner
table when everyone reaches for the last pork chop at the same time. [< E synchro-, simultaneously, + L tenere, to take hold of]
anamelophobia
n. Fear of, or aversion to, elevator music.
[< Gr ana,
upward, + melo, music, + phob, fear]
optotoxicidal
adj. Of or pertaining to poisonous looks that
could kill, especially from a spouse.
[< Gr ops, eye, + toxikon, poison, + E -cide, to kill]
umbalgia
n. The excruciating pain experienced when a
doorknob violently strikes one's thigh. [< L umbo, a knob or projection + -algia,
pain]
vinigrate v. -grated,
-grating To annoy others while under the influence of
alcoholic beverages. [< L vinum,
wine + grate, to annoy]
coprovore
n. A subordinate who is forced to listen
without interruption as his or her boss engages in unrelenting verbal abuse. [<
Gr kopro-, dung, + L vorare, eat]
vellicitude
(vel-ISS-uh-tewd) n. Having one's sleeve plucked by a persistent
street beggar. [< L vellicare, to
pull or pluck + solicit ]
philatelicide
n. 1. A postal worker who goes on a rampage and murders
his co-workers. 2. The act of a
philatelicide. [< G philately, the study of stamps, + L -cide, murder]
pisced-off (pisht-OFF) adj. Angry because the
market is out of fresh fish. [< L. piscis, fish, + -off]
proctotious (prok-TOE-shuss) adj.
Of or pertaining to a lazy knave, such as one's brother-in-law. [< Gr
proctos, rectum, + L otium, leisure]
frustrum
n., pl. frustra. An unendurably
itchy spot in the middle of one's back which defies all efforts to reach it.
[< L frustra in vain]
mephitomint n.,
pl. -mints. A lozenge deliberately designed to produce
foul breath in certain social situations, such as a blind date which is going
badly. [< L mephitis, noxious
stench, + mint]
testiculate
v. To make an obscene gesture by grabbing one's crotch. [< L testis,
testicle]
ructitude
n. The satisfying feeling of relief which comes
after a particularly good belch. {< L eructare,
to belch]
rhinothetic
adj. Having the tendency to stick one's nose in
other people's business. [< Gr rhin-,
nose, + E -thetic > Gr-tithenai, to put or place]
bisedilious
adj. Pertaining to a bus rider or theatergoer so
large tha two seats are necessary to accommodate him or her--and who invariably
sits next to you. [< L bi-,
two, + sedile, seat]
podostomatic
adj. Tending to suffer from foot-in-mouth disease.
[< Gr pod-, foot, +
stom-, mouth]
bufogamation
(bew-FOE-guh-MAY’-shun) n. The act of marrying a prince only to discover
that he's really a toad. [< Gr bufo-,
toad, + gam-, wed]
pharmasuitical
adj. Pertaining to a multi-pocketed garment worn
by drug smugglers. [< Gr pharmako,
drug, + Eng. suit]
Words to theWise, Kindle Edition
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