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It might not come as a surprise to many of you if I were to admit that I am the sort of person who often finds himself devoting HUGE amounts of time to projects which bring me great personal pleasure but absolutely zero financial benefit. Such is my life...
The book I recently completed is a case in point and, with any luck, will be an exception as far as making a buck is concerned. By way of update, the New York publishing world wants no part of me seeing as how I am unpublished elsewhere so I am exploring other avenues in the Mid-West. Progress is being made but, damn it's a slow process! So what to do in the meantime? Start another book, of course! And just as the first one was inspired by something someone said on this board, so also is my next effort. In this case, the someone was myself. A running gag has revolved around the upstart American (me) rewriting the highly revered OED with the most recent twist being that I now intend to do so completely in limerick form. Possible? Yes. In one lifetime? I sincerely doubt it. And so, out of the goodness of my heart, I am going to allow my Wordcrafter buddies in on what undoubtedly will be a massively profitable business venture when it's all complete. I am going to permit you to assist in the writing of this great work. When complete, all contributors will be identified by initials at the end of each definition and I will maintain control over the whole schmear as editor. Rewriting of your contributions will be held to an absolute minimum. The only rule I will insist on is that this project must be done in alphabetical order so that it is readable on this thread. In other words, no skipping ahead to the "E" section to write a limerick on a favorite word, Kalleh. Definitions need not be as complete as in the OED since God knows there's only so much you can cram into five lines. I will be keeping to my Mondays-only-(for-the-most-part) schedule on this board but hope to crank out four or five limericks a week. In this way, assuming that there's something to all this reincarnation talk, we'll have the OED polished off in roughly 20 lifetimes. Ready? OK, here goes. The first entry I've transplanted from another thread. a The very first word here is "a." It's used with a noun to convey A singular notion Like "a duck" or "a potion" Or top notch as when used in "Grade A." aa In geology this word is autonomous And with rough-surfaced lava synonomous, Yet the meaning it conveys With two capital A's Is, of course, Alcoholics Anonymous. (a sidenote: This is the first example of where I have corrected the old OED which defined "aa" as "a stream or a water course" with no mention of the more widely-known definition involving lava.) aal An aal is a plant (this is clear) Which yields a red dye kings revere. Should you, Fred, and Ted Go to paint the town red, Sing out "Hail, Hail, the gang is aal here!" aald obs. see "auld" auld This word is not hard to define. Its use (nowadays in decline) For "old" is depicted And usually restricted To drunks singing 'bout "Auld Lang Syne." Well, that's it for this time around. Four down and about a half a google to go. The next words are aam, aan, aane, aarvark, aardwolf, Aaron, aaronic, aaronical (maybe we could combine these two), Aaron's-beard, and Aaron's-rod. Fame and fortune await!! Woo-Hoo!!! This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris J. Strolin, |
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Well, CJ, I have already rendered my opinion on your OED rewrite project elsewhere (where else?), but this idea seems a little better. But like Mr Shandy's enterprise, it seems doomed to non-closure. OTOH, inspired by the kabbalistic principle of notarikon ('acronym'), I, myself, am going to expand the complete text of the OED, 1st edition, to its full full state. You see, the OED is actually just an acronym, and we need to discover its true meaning.
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Maybe you should allocate us a letter each to work on - to avoid duplication.
 "No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson. Read all about my travels around the world here. Read even more of my travel writing and poems on my weblog. My new blog - which I hope to keep more up to date than my old one. And don't miss this - my unpublished book, now complete and unabridged My new photoblog The World Through A lens |
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My plan to avoid duplication is to propose a project so challenging (to put it mildly) that no one in their right mind would even consider attempting it. Duplications will be the least of my worries.
And jheem, what I need to answer your post is some sort of emoticon which conveys the meaning of "Yes, I agree with you completely, not because I totally understand all you've said but, rather, that I humbly concede that both your intellect and your experience with the English language are several planes higher than mine so much so that to even attempt contradicting a syllable of anything you've ever uttered would only result in my bringing down the linguistic roof upon my own head." Let me know if you come up with anything. |
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quote: Nope, nope, hang on a minute! OK, now I get it. (and I only had to read your post five times.) Sorry, but your meaning eluded me. I was thinking, "Of course the OED is an acronym. It stands for Oxford English Dictionary." I was pondering what other hidden meaning you might have been referring to when it finally (as in "at very long last") dawned on me that you had come to the conclusion that the OED itself was one monstrously long acronym. My God, Yes! Decoding that would be an interesting way to spend a lifetime or two. Tell you what - I'll race ya! |
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Sounds good to me, CJ. I'll meet you at the Place de Zeno, about halfway through. As for the emoticon, by Jove, I think you've got it! Problem with my expansion of the OED acronym scheme is that there's obviously more than one way to expand it, and, after we've done, we'll have to choose the correct one based on other criteria, such as elimination by limericization. Another fun endeavor would be to determine which letter is the center of the OED (non-expanded acronym) and write a paeon to it, the letter that is. (The middle letter of the Torah is an m, and has a special printed form, but I've forgotten which one it is and where it occurs.) Carry on!
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I don't know what aam, aan, or aane mean so I'll start with aardvark
This really is quite a lark, Limerickising aardvark The rhyme is infernal Though the mammal's nocturnal (It only comes out after dark) and aardwolf I can't claim to know very much An aardwolf I've not seen and not touched hyaenidae carnivora they eat fauna not flora That's bugs, larvae and termites and such Aaaron Aaron was the brother of Moses In the Old testament he reposes A priest of some might For the Israelites And that's about all that I knowses Please don't consider me dim, If I should go out on a limb and state quite laconically aaronic, aaraonically Mean "of or relating to him" Aaron's rod, a.k.a Aaron's beard May be cultivated or reared throughout Eurasia a scrophulariaceous plant, by some gardeners revered And just for good measure here's one more Though it shows little style and less flair A sleeveless coat made of goat's hair Is called an aba in Syria And meets the criteria For a chic fashion statement out there "No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson. Read all about my travels around the world here. Read even more of my travel writing and poems on my weblog. My new blog - which I hope to keep more up to date than my old one. And don't miss this - my unpublished book, now complete and unabridged My new photoblog The World Through A lens |
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To my suprise, this word is accented on the last syllable.
Abaca, a bananalike tree, Is valuable mercantilely As Manila hemp's source. (We use it, of course, For rope, not to smoke! You agree?) |
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"Yes, I agree with you completely, not because I totally understand all you've said but, rather, that I humbly concede that both your intellect and your experience with the English language are several planes higher than mine so much so that to even attempt contradicting a syllable of anything you've ever uttered would only result in my bringing down the linguistic roof upon my own head."
Yes, CJ, I feel the same way and would love a word for that! Does anyone know of one? Your limericks, guys, are great! |
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Excellent! Excellent!! Excellent!!!
Fantastic! We're almost halfway there! Well, no... That would be overstating it a bit. In fact, I dragged out the pocket calculator and I hate to say it but the results are not the cheeriest. If I devote 10 minutes per limerick (which includes research, writing, editing, rewriting, a certain degree of polish, and then recording the finished product) and roughly two hours a week to this project (I do have a life outside of this board) considering the fact that there are more than half a million words in the OED, the entire project looks to be completed sometime in the 29th century. That's why I'm so glad that several of you have joined in. And, yes, "several" usually doesn't equate to "two" but I'm counting those among you who are considering becoming part of this grand enterprise but who have not yet actually contributed. As editor, I am faced with tough decisions right at the start and I am proud to say that I have not shrunk from them. Or from making them. That is, if "shrunk" is indeed the word I'm looking for. Decision #1: The OED is famous, and rightly so, for containing every single word, past and present, of the English language. I feel that to truly improve the OED we would have to surpass this which, unless we want to consider imaginary words ("Sniglets" and such) would of course be impossible. I therefore decree that our OED in Limerick Form (henceforth acronymized "OEDILF" and pronounced "OH-uh-DILF") need not contain obsolete words. I mean, really! If a word's obsolete, let it go, right? Do you still hang on to clothes that you know in your heart you'll never wear again? (Well, actually, I do but, then again, you never know when you're going to contract a degenerative disease so, OK, maybe that was a bad example.) Do you still save your 4th grade school papers? (better) Of course not. OK, obsolete words are out. That'll save us almost a century right there. Decision #2: This one's going to create some controversy but for the purposes of the OEDILF, definitions will not have to be exactly precisely correct if this gets in the way of the writing of a good limerick. (Awright! Awright! Settle down!!) Case in point, Aaron's-beard and Aaron's Rod (note the corrected spellings - B.H. and I both got them wrong) are not actually the same plant but Bob's limerick was such a first class effort I'll overlook this relative triffle. Decision #3: I had planned on coming up today to crank out 10 more limerickial definitions but have found, to my dismay, that my library's OED is a reprint of the 1933 version which, for obvious reasons, will not do. A library in a neighboring town roughly 15 miles away has the 1996 edition (at least that's what the librarian here believes it is) and so, dedicated lexicographer that I am, I will be making trips up there at least weekly in order to use the best source material available. I probably should subscribe to the on-line version but, owing to an overly-frugal nature, can't. Or, technically, won't. Decision #4: One form of each word will be sufficient. If you define "abacinate" (Wow! An interesting word you don't get to use every day) (and, frankly, that's probably a good thing!) then, what the heck, we can skip "abacination." OK, that's it for this time around. B.H. & Hic have gloriously taken us boldly into the AB's (meaning words beginning with "Ab" - no beer comments, please) so the project is rolling along quite nicely. The previously mentioned "aam," "aan," and "aane," obsolete all, can now be ignored and the next words up for grabs are "abacinate," "aback," "abackstays" (good luck), "abactinal," "abaction/abactor," "abacus," "Abaddon" (a goodie!), "abaft, "abaisance" (similar to "obeisance" from Poe's "The Raven"??), "abaiser" (droppable?), "abalienate" (another goodie!), and "abandon/able/edly/ee/er/ing/ment." Feel free to snatch up the jucier morsels listed above. As editor, I'll pick up the dreggs. See you next Monday. This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris J. Strolin, |
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Suggestion that's designed to please
A's thru N's for one team, the other O's thru Z's. In Century Twenty-Five If any are still alive We can meet somewhere near the P's This message has been edited. Last edited by: jerry thomas, |
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>Four down and about a half a google to go.
not to be confused with googol?! -ron (a disinterested (not to say uninterested)) observer) obvious |
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BobHale mentions Aaron's rod, a.k.a Aaron's beard
Are you telling me Aaron did not know his rod from his beard? (I've heard of not knowing your a*se from a hole in the wall, but that is ridiculous.) |
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Consider this curious word:
He who steals cows from your herd Commits the infraction That's known as abaction (But rustling's the term that's preferred). |
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Aaron, you're such a disgrace
With priorities all out of place Your rod is your tool You bearded old fool And your beard is that stuff on your face |
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quote: Yeah, I'm pretty cheap, too. I access the OED Online from my home computer through my local library. And it doesn't cost me a thing (except time). Tinman |
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quote: That strikes me as odd. How can the OED expect to sell any subcriptions to their fine and, I'm sure, deservedly expensive work if it can be accessed in a prospective buyer's home via his or her library? In any case, this dodge won't work for me. Not only does my local library have a sadly outdated OED (copyright 1933) but they do not invest in the on-line edition. Any suggestions? |
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OK, first off, yes, this is neither a Monday nor a pseudo-Tuesday or whatever. I'm officially amending my schedule to allow posts to this thread only at any time the spirit moves me assuming I will be able to do so without becoming ridiculously obsessive about it. Or not. I really don't know.
Anywho, I'm back up because I've been playing around with this foolish project in my occasional off hour or two and didn't want the weekend to go by without posting a few new definitions. I'm particularly happy with "abbot" and even though the punchline is a bit obvious, I wanted to be the first one to deliver it. Plus there have been some revisions to how I'd like to see the OEDILF grow but first some definitions: aah Much more than the sound of a schwa But not as robust as "Aha!" This word is used best At the sight of a breast When you look, lick your lips, and say "...aaaaah!" [Editor's note: Mild sexism will be tolerated in the OEDILF but not encouraged. The languages does, after all, reflect the society using it.] aback If, during the course of lovemaking, Your paramour's heart you are breaking And some other guy Comes and catches her eye, Well, this is the seat you'll be taking. [Editor's note: Heh, heh...] abaft "Abaft" is a term you will note Which means "towards the stearn" as you float. If you're nautically hip, That's "the rear of the ship." If you're me it's "the back of the boat." abalone To a mermaid from Davy Jones' locker, This shell's so sublime it might shock her. With shapes like small bowls, 'Round their edge they've more holes Than the ear of your average punk rocker. [A sidenote: I've seen abalone shells and I did notice the little holes around the edge but until now I had no idea that they were intrinsically part of what made an abalone shell what it is. I had thought they were caused by the actions of sand and surf. Once again, an effort to teach becomes, in itself, a learning experience.] abandon For "abandon," this meaning I'll tender: You do this to a non-blending blender. Or when coupled with "wild," You're an unrestrained child As inhibitions you completely surrender. abash Your sense of decorum was dashed When a moth crawled out from your mustache As you bowed to the Queen. Your discomfort was keen And what you felt at the time was "abashed." [Call it my perverse nature but it tickles me to imagine this happening to R.E.] Abasia "Abasia" affects what you're doing With your legs. With your muscles, it's screwing. To dance brings disaster And your downfall is faster When a walk is topped off by gum chewing. abattoir It's good business sense and the mayor would Like someone to come and to stay for good. His advisors he's heeded And an abattoir's needed But not, naturally, in my neighborhood! [Editor's note: And don't think that one wasn't a struggle!] Well, that's it for the "aba" words so far. I seem to recall something about excessively long posts gumming up the works so let me close this one out and continue below. |
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I might be a little bit late -
But you seem to have missed out abate. Which means making less strong (or maybe less long) But always a reduction in rate. Richard English |
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Kudos, Chris Strolin, for these
You write them with elegant ease We're patiently waiting Our breathing abating; Meanwhile, I'm catching some zzzzzs |
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A few more and then some guidelines.
abbot This monastery head is a fellow Never caught in a local bordello. He often recites, From the Bible, insights And not "Who's on First" with Costello. abdominous There's no need to be prolegomenous. The word only seems to sound ominous. If you've got a huge belly Like a big bag of jelly In a word, it is clear, you're "abdominous." [Editor's note: "prolegomenous" (pronounced PRO-le-GOM-in-us), one of the few words in the English language to rhyme with "abdominous," is defined as "dealing with a preliminary discussion, especially a formal essay introducing a work of considerable length or complexity." I mention this here because we haven't gotten up to the P's yet.] abecedarian You're brutal and cruel? You're barbarian. Conspicuous wealth? You vulgarian! But when you study all night To get the alphabet right? Well done! You're an "abecedarian"! aberration Mother Nature, when shove comes to push, May position your face on your tush. It's called "aberration" Like a purple carnation Or a good beer from Anhauser-Busch. [which I hope makes up for me putting a moth in R.E.'s mustache when he met the Queen.] Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem With height that no smoking could hinder, As tall as a second floor winder, Was a prime 3-point maker, That Los Angeles Laker, The best of them all - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! [Any questions as to the meaning of this definition may be directed to R.E.] abhor To "abhor" is to dislike far more Hard-core than you've hated before Something like an eyesore Or a bad pompadour, But if there's one thing I abhor, it's a bore! More decisions: Decision #5 For ease in compilation (when I finally get to the point where I put this all together for publication and, yes, why not?) please alphabetize your defined words when submitting more than one in a post. Decision #6 Rather than me listing the words I am requesting definitions for I will, as suggested, simply give you a spread to work with. This spread, however, will not be huge since I'd like to see the OEDILF progress as any new edition of the OED does - slowly, deliberately, and on a roughly page-by-page basis. There are still dozens of words which fall between "a" and "abhor" so let's try to hit at least 75% of them before moving onwards. Decision #7 And more help needed. It is just begining to dawn on my that this project may be slightly beyond the realm of possibility. I'm not giving up! Not by any means but some words are simply tougher to define in limerick form than others. For example, "abducens" is defined as "either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves that convey motor impulses to the rectus muscle on the lateral side of the eye." Jeeze! Kalleh, with your nursing background, maybe you could take all the medical terms? Another example is "abfarad" which is "the centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of inductance, equal to one billionth of a henry." I spent almost an hour trying to put that into the form of a limerick (and God knows this is no way to get to Europe!) simply for the challenge involved but came up sadly short. Greater amounts of grey matter are required. Tinman? Arnie? jheem? KHC? Decision #8 And still more help needed. When I reached "abattoir" I realized that the OEDILF was missing something important - individual pronunciation guides for each word. An etymology for each one would, of course, also be of great service. A problem arises, though, in that if we were to include these and present them in limerick form as well, the format may start to grow stale. We've got another 500,000+ words to go now, remember. Maybe we could write the pronunciations and etymologies in Double Dactyl form? I suppose we could simply use prose but where's the challenge in that? OK, everybody, back to work. If we all pitch in together, it's entirely possible we'll knock this off by the year 2500! This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris J. Strolin, |
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quote: Ah, but confuse it I did. An honest mistake, though, considering we're nowhere near the G's just yet. Another error concerns my estimated completion date of the 29th century. My later guess of the year 2500 was just a WAG, based on my initial bliss prompted by the realization that I wouldn't be writing this entire thing on my own. I rechecked the math and it's still basically sound but it didn't take into consideration the possibility of new words entering the language. This seems to be a fairly safe bet. Work is underway to bring more lexicographers in to assist in this project. Current completion date WAG, including all neolgisms from now till then, is 2670. (April, I think.) |
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>Work is underway to bring more lexicographers in to assist in this project.
don't neglect to include a Professor, and a(nother?) Madman (if not a Surgeon). |
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Higgledy piggledy
Strolin, J. Christopher Wonders, when this is done, What to do next. "Easy as pie," say we, Lexicographically All you will need is a Detailed index. |
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Jeeze! Kalleh, with your nursing background, maybe you could take all the medical terms?
Well, hasn't this thread taken off! Okay already, I will attempt some of the medical words...but not tonight because it is waaay past my bedtime! |
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quote:Higgledy piggledy Jerry and Christopher Contemplate writing with "Detailed index". Wouldn't you think they would Opportunistically Match that key word so they Rhyme it with sex? |
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Higgledy Piggledy
Hic et Ubiquity Offers his aid to the Busy execs. Finishing touches for Anglolexology Might otherwise have just Overlooked "sects." |
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Per CJ's request:
Abducens, a cranial nerve, Innervates muscles with verve: Look to the side, Your eyes will so glide; This is the function they serve. |
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OK, we seem to have hit a bit of a dry spot. The weekend yielded just one limerick (Thanks, Kalleh - you're now officially the Medical Editor of the OEDILF) and three Double Dactyls which, while somewhat flattering (I think) provided no forward impetus to the project. No problem. Estimated completion date slips back to September of 2670 but this, as always, is subject to change.
And I was serious before - help is on the way. First off, the rest of the "aa - abhor" words: abacus The "abacus," a ciphering device, Does math in ways sure and precise. It's works are holistic With a form as simplistic As a toy put out by Fisher-Price. [Editor's notes: 1.) I assume the name Fisher-Price is known in the UK? They're famous for the production of toys so durable that even the most psychotic 8-year-old monster can't destroy them. 2.) "Holistic" is defined as "emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts" and, as such, fits nicely into the definition of an abacus. abature "Abature" is defined as the traces A stag leaves behind as he races Through the woods unconfined Leaving hunters behind As he leads them on long fruitless chases. [Editor's note: I say Good for the stag!] Abba I find myself often lip sync-ing To Abba, and I know what you're thinking: "He likes that pop mush?! "That would cause me to blush!" But it's only when I've been out drinking. (OK, it's fess-up time. In any written work a part of the author's personal life is revealed and, yes, I like Abba songs! I admit it. And it's true that they seem to be just the ticket right around my fourth or fifth White Russian BUT, I hasten to add, the above piece does take some literary license in that I drink primarily at home. I don't want you to conjure up a picture of me as some drunken lexicographer standing on a public bar while belting out "Dancing Queen." My existence is far from ideal but it's not as bad as all that!) Abbevillian "Abbevillian," a time before taxes, Refers to a place but the fact is Not location alone, It is noted for stone Hand tools like bifacial hand axes. (Editor's note: I can't tell you how proud I am to consider the extreme liklihood that I am the very first person in the history of the English language to write poetry on the subject of "Abbevillian," an adjective referring to the earliest Paleolithic archaeological sites in Europe and which was named for the town of Abbeville France. As contributors to the OEDILF, this same feeling of exultation is open to all of you as well!) abbreviation An "abbreviation" (like "abbrev.") often is The core of the lexicography biz. Examples are myriad But a few have no period Which is why some folks cannot stand "Ms". (Ah, controversy! Also, note the period/full stop outside the quotation marks in the last line in violation of the standard procedure since to follow the rule would be to make the entire effort nonsensical.) abdication It's clear we elected a dope for Our leader. I'd give up the rope for His hanging, but killing A man? I'm not willing, Yet abdication is too much to hope for. [Editor's note: Other OEDILF contributors of less-enlightened political leaning (AKA "Republicans") are free to offer rebuttals in their definitions of other words.] abduct If a person you go and abduct And their efforts to leave you obstruct, When it comes to your trial They will grill you and I'll Lay odds you'll be totally screwed. [Editor's comment: No comment.] Decision #9: After giving the matter considerable thought, I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that I may have bitten off just a tad bit more than I can comfortably chew and am considering changing the title of this work to "The Not-Quite-OED in Limerick Form" or some such. In short, some words just ain't gonna make it! So let's just go for a rewriting of most of the OED in limerick form. The next block of words to be opened up for your contributions will be the rest of the "Ab-" words but there are still a number of "aa - abhor" words that it would seem a shame to exclude such as: Hank Aaron, abacination, abackstays (again, good luck!), Abaddon, abalienation (?), abaxial, abbey-lubber (which the OED defines as "a lazy monk"!), abdest, abditory, abdomen, abeam, abet, and abeyance. Most of these are interesting enough to look up, if not to use in everyday speech, if you are unfamiliar with them. OK, now on to the rest of the "Ab" words: |
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Idea:
I know this was all tongue in cheek. However, we are darned good at it! Don't you think a dictionary of limericks would be very unique and enjoyable by people who like words? Why don't we come up with a short dictionary of words---maybe obscure ones---and really do this project? I think it would be fun....and may I please have "epicaricacy?"  BTW, I am not kidding about this. We could have a list of words and people could select the ones they want to do. Maybe 500 obscure words, or something like that? |
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ability
To write limericks I have the ability, And for humor a certain facility. But even I see That a new OED Is a huge exercise in futility. (Hold it! HO-O-O-O-OLD it!! Just hang on a moment!! That was nothing more than a moment of weakness, a temporary lapse of judgement! ... I'm OK now! I've shaken it off and am ready to get back to work. ...Phew!!) abjure To "abjure" means renounce or foreswear, To repudiate what's no longer there. It could be quite vital, A position or title, Or your passion for Smokey the Bear. (OK, before the purists jump on this one, yes, I know that the animal's actual name is "Smokey Bear." There is no "the" in the name but, hey, I needed the extra syllable.) ablation The medical process "ablation" Is a surgically done amputation. If you're lucky, on the whole, It's a cancerous mole. If you're not, it's a thing called castration! [Editor's note: This word also means "the process by which a glacier is reduced" but I couldn't get that to fit into the five lines. Also, Kalleh, I assume you won't object to some assistance with the medical terms, especially the easier one such as "abscess" (coming up) if the spirit should move me.] abnegation / abstinence The latest fad sweeping the nation? Self-denial of sex: "abnegation." Right wingers attest They like "abstinence" best. What's next? Universal castration?! [Editor's notes: 1.) I've taken the liberty to zero in on the sexual aspect of abnegation rather than focus on the overall definition of self-denial that most dictionaries take. I'm a lexicographer; I can do that. 2.) By combining two words into one definition every 20 or 25 limericks or so, the work will be considerably speeded up. Early 2635 is now the estimated completion date. 3.) And yes, I also noticed that "castration" has come up in two consecutive definitions and no, I don't choose to dwell upon why that might be.] abranciate "Abranciate" means "without gills" As in humans, wildebeest, whippoorwills, Or bison, an ox, Or a rosette-tailed fox Or those platypi with their duck bills. [Editor's note: OK, this one lead to Decision #10 - First come is not necessarily first into the OEDILF. In short, I'm not wild about this piece. For one thing, the correct plural of "platypus" is "platypuses" and (fess-up time again) there is no such thing as a "rosette-tailed fox." It rhymed and I liked the sound of it. As a lexicographer, I am able to stretch certain conventions language-wise though I realize full well I'm on thin ice here. Anyone wishing to improve on "abranciate" may do so with my blessings.] abreast It's true, I can personally attest, While it sounds like a thrill, nonetheless, There's no satisfaction, No second base action, When you're out somewhere "walking abreast." [Editor's note: Heh, heh! (though you probably saw that one coming a mile away!)] abscess An "abscess" is translated thus: A localized collection of pus Caused by flesh that is dead, Often painful and red. (And there's not much more left to discuss.) [Editor's note: The dictionary business is not for the squeamish.] absinthe "Absinthe" has a licorice flavor, A liqueur that you really can savor. It would get you pie-eyed But then several folks died And it's since fallen much out of favor. [Editor's note: This is all true. Production of absinthe is prohibited in many countries (the U.S. among them) due to the potential toxicity of this greenish liqueur and the fear of the permanent mental impairment it may cause. While stationed in Portugal in the 1970's, I enjoyed absinthe on a number of occasions but have never detected any lasting damage blue bucket eel transfer in a banana cart resulting from it.] absquatulate The source of some words can be blurry Which makes etymologists worry. From the "Latin" one gleans That "absquatulate" means "To abscond" or "depart in a hurry." [Editor's note: This is a favorite word of mine and comes from what is called the "Jocular Latin." The usage most commonly quoted is "Your horse has done absquatulated!" Is that musical or what?!] Well, that's it for the time being. There are scads of "ab" words left and, as my grandfather was fond of saying, "Time's a-wastin'!" (But then again, Grampa did like his absinthe...) This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris J. Strolin, |
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Sounds good to me.
Now, who's going to tell the editor of the OED...? Richard English |
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quote: Kalleh, in the past year or two you must have apologized to me a dozen times for what you perceived as slights of all sorts. In each and every case, I replied that absolutely no offense had been taken and that you were simply worrying overly-much, a (some would say endearing) trait which led to my labeling you the Mother Hen of this website. You, on the other hand, frequently label yourself a "literalist" but now, when I propose this grand lexicographal project, you somehow miss the whole point and assume I'm joking! What's up with that?! No apology is necessary. In lieu of any "I'm sorry" post, I will accept instead a dozen limericks based on words, medical or otherwise, obscure or well-known, begining with the letters "ab." Get crackin'! |
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quote: Excellent idea, R.E. I'll draft the letter tonight. |
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I have an idea.
Since the pool of writers will surely increase once this project captures the public imagination (or that part of the public which is literate - maybe even as many as a few dozen - ) there is the risk of duplication. So why not, as editor-in-chief, allocate a word, or maybe two or three words, to those who volunteer, in order of their application. I am prepared to have a go. Richard English |
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R.E., thank you (no, wait, make that Bless you) for your kind offer. Suspicions confirmed - We need more people like R.E.!
But as to your suggestion, I think not. I've given this considerable thought and now believe that it's best to open the OEDILF up for contributions one section at a time for several reasons: 1.) If I assign you certain words, there's no telling if they would inspire you to any degree. 2.) Furthermore, "your" words might inspire someone else. For example, I notice that the OED describes Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) as a "Finnish architect and furniture designer noted for his use of contrasting materials." This is interesting enough, I suppose, but it does nothing for me inspiration-wise. On the other hand, you might be moved to compose an entire Broadway musical on Mr. Aalto although, of course, for our purposes a simple limerick would be more than sufficient. ...2a) By way of a sidenote, I don't mean to be "America-centric" by using the term "Broadway musical" since I know fully well that you have your own excellent theatre section in London (plus your ticket prices are far more favorable to the theatre-goer!) but the term "Broadway musical" is used over there regardless of the actual location of the stage, is it not? 3.) By having a choice such as, at present, any word in the OED between "a" and "abyssal" (excluding the obsolete words and My God, aren't there a lot of them in there?!) it would seemed to me that greater participation would result, and 4.) I thought it would be more fun this way. Also, you mentioned the pool of writers increasing. I have been emailing Kalleh on this subject concerning an idea to boost participation on this website as a whole that I had come up with. As noted above, I am totally in earnest about this project while, at the same time, I readily admit that there is an inherent silliness to it all that appeals to me. I strongly believe that I would not be alone in this feeling if and when word of the project got out. To this end, I am writing the editor of "The Writer's Digest" (I assume you get that over there? It's an excellent monthly magazine not just for writers but for all linguaphiles.) to pitch the idea of me writing a monthly column devoted to the OEDILF. Each month I would submit one or two limericks to show that progress, slow but sure, was being made and invite the readers to submit their own pieces based on words begining with whatever letters we were up to at that point. I would choose my favorites for the next month's issue, all entrants would be promised their names in the final (if ever) published work, and maybe the magazine could give free subscriptions to the winners. Do I think they'll go for it? In all honesty, no, I don't. But there something that's just so damn appealing about the prospect of starting off a letter with "I am in the process of rewriting the Oxford English Dictionary in limerick form" that makes the attempt more than worthwhile. If not "The Writer's Digest" (which, frankly, would be ideal) there are any number of other outlets which might go for an idea of this sort. Plus, exposure of any sort could very well attract new Wordcrafters to our site. And, last but not least, I might even make a buck or two. I'll keep you advised of all progress. In the meantime, grab your Volume One of the OED (I picture you as having your own set and maybe an abridged edition for the Rolls) and chose whatever strikes your fancy in the "ab" section. And thanks again for your contributions, past, present, and future. This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris J. Strolin, |
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Human torture researchers now find,
Abacination's on everyone's mind; The hot metal's glare Truly scorches one's hair And renders its victims quite blind. This message has been edited. Last edited by: jerry thomas, |
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If self-applied, yes, but isn't the idea behind abacination to do it to someone else? [May 21st Post Script: This comment was directed to J.T.'s first version of this piece which no longer appears in this thread. While the original was OK, I'd say the rewrite is a huge improvement.]
Thanks for your contribution. Your name will be prominently featured in the OEDILF, once compilation is complete, officially making you a Published Author and copies will be available to you at the low, low price etc etc etc... This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris J. Strolin, |
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The abyss is a bottomless pit,
and moves me to ask how you sit if your bottom is missing? (Defecating and pissing are two other problems with it.) When an abvolt's crossed by an abampere There's scarely a measurable thing there All that you've got's A minuscule abwatt So small there's no reason to care. Use improperly or in a wrong way, Maltreat or exhibit foul play But when done to oneself That's quite something else Such reflexive abuse is OK ! The stocks and supplies remain high There's a plentiful, copious supply An abundance in fact And nothing is lacked And the well simply never runs dry From the moment the idea occurred The whole project's defined this one word It's strangely compelling And might yet be best selling This theatre of the very absurd I think I might write of abulia Where indecision can rulia But I quickly find I've again changed my mind That's the way that abulia can foolia "No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson. Read all about my travels around the world here. Read even more of my travel writing and poems on my weblog. My new blog - which I hope to keep more up to date than my old one. And don't miss this - my unpublished book, now complete and unabridged My new photoblog The World Through A lens |
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Kalleh: and may I please have "epicaricacy?"
CJ: I may grab it ahead of time just out of spite! In the face of CJ's vile threat, clearly a preemptive strike is necessary.  And I am rather proud of the alliteration in the first line. . . . .Want a word which we wish were deployed? . . . .We all would be quite overjoyed . . . .Someday to see . . . .'Epicaricacy' . . . .Replacing that beast, 'schadenfreude'. |
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HIC!!! How could you?!
You, on the other hand, frequently label yourself a "literalist" but now, when I propose this grand lexicographal project, you somehow miss the whole point and assume I'm joking! What's up with that?! CJ, a literalist is a realist. That's what's up with that. I would love to write limericks, but I agree with Richard. I don't know where to begin or what words to choose. I also don't want to be redundant. Besides, you gave me the medical words and then did 2 of them yourself! And, abscess would have been so fun to do. If this really is a project, and it sounds like it is, I think we need more direction, your royal highness. |
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quote: |
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Quote "...The fact that its completion within our lifetimes is a certain impossibility does not in any way detract from its reality here and now..."
Nothing is impossible and it must depend on the numbers involved. Our present membership would find it hard, I accept, but even as we are, at a rate of one word per day each, we'd have managed 140,000 in only three years. If we could recruit just 10% of the population of Illinois we'd crack it in months! Richard English |
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OK, five more words and them some more guidance as requested.
about This project is daunting, no doubt. Let's hope we don't wane or burn out Since the simple reality Is true immortality Is what all this writing's about. [Editor's note: This is it in a nutshell. Best case scenario? What we have begun here this month will continue uninterrupted for however many centuries it takes our descendants to complete it. We won't be there at the end but our writing, and our names, will be. And if a promise of immortality isn't enough to inspire someone to craft a five-line verse or two, I really couldn't tell you what is...] absorbed / absent-minded / abstracted Absorbed, absent-minded, abstracted - Three ways in which folks are distracted. The first means fixated. The next addlepated. The last, you're in deep thought protracted. [Editor's note: Woo-Hoo!! Three words in one limerick and, if I do say so myself, nicely defined. If this keeps up, I may live to see the beginning of the B's!] abstention Kalleh and Shu faced some tension From a stranger at a nursing convention When asked, "Do you swing? "Are you up for a fling?" (One vote Yea, one vote Nay, one abstention) (OK, first off, we'll assume that the stranger was the "Yea" vote. The humor comes in at the thought of either Kalleh or Shufitz abstaining. I truly hope neither of you is offended at this piece but, I'm sorry, that last line just makes me giggle!) |
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quote: Well said, R.E. I hereby officially name you Managing Director in Charge of Optimism. True, nothing is impossible but even if every single word was turned into a limerick today, the editing and compilation might take a decade in of itself. Plus, I would very much rather focus on making the quality of the work as high as possible rather than dealing with how quickly we might be able to crank it out. If quality and speed can go hand in hand, great! But let's avoid the misconception (far more common in the U.S., I believe, than the U.K.) that speed itself is an indication, in some way, of quality. Also, call me a romantic but there's something deeply appealing about the idea of working on a project that only our great-great-(times x?-great)-grandchildren will complete and then appreciate as a finished work. I have a friend who is constructing a huge family tree made out of concrete on some farmland with this same idea in mind. The ancient Romans, he is fond of pointing out, used concrete and their works are still with us today. Our descendants may take pride in the OEDILF's completion, and deservedly so, but we were there at the A's! |
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Decision #10 - All contributors are now officially designated as Contributing Editors and, as such, are free to add such Editor's Comments to their pieces as they see fit. This will both 1.) allow the inclusion of material not fitting in the five-line piece and 2.) break up the monotony of roughly 500,000+ limericks in succession.
For those of you who have asked for help on what to write on, I opened another thread to cover words still unwritten on. As the OEDILF grows, I'll delete words from the list. Gotta fly for now. Electrical storm in the area. |
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abed
Abed's where you sleep in the night Unless with your wife you did fight Then for you, it's the couch Next time don't be a grouch And just let her think she was right! |
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ablactation
Ablactation, to wean off the breast, Should wait 'til age 2, this is best. Though some men never quit (Bet you thought I'd rhyme tit) Because they're mammalian obsessed. (Co-editor's note... boy am I rusty!) |
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A weaver was found on a slab
His web site so cool! It was fab! All he had left Was a woof and a weft Obscenely exposing his abb. This message has been edited. Last edited by: jerry thomas, |
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I truly hope neither of you is offended at this piece but, I'm sorry, that last line just makes me giggle!
CJ, we both found it funny and surely wouldn't take offense. However, around the Shu and Kalleh household this morning we had a nice discussion about what gender the other person would be. Shu, in his lawyerly and oh-so-complicated way had many distinctions (like, it would make a difference if I were one of the people)...so I am still confused as to his thoughts on that. I am more simplistic than he, always! I would want 2 men, period. It wouldn't matter if one were Shu or not. I suppose that isn't very modern or liberal, but that's the way I feel. I, like Jerry Seinfeld ("not that there's anything wrong with it!"), respect other's views; I just wouldn't feel comfortable in bed with another woman. This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh, |
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