Came across the above word yesterday. I don't know if it's a common word that has somehow just never appeared in my lexicon or if it is as uncommon as it appears to me.

Anyway, I thought I'd offer it up for a bluffing game.

Definitions, the wilder and more unlikely the better, to me in pms please.

Bob

Mine's in.

Come on people. I have exactly one entry so far. Not gonna be much of game unless we get a few more is it?

I don't know ....

If mine is the only (fake) daffynition I should stand a pretty good chance of winning.

I've finally seen the thread and responded. I've been distracted of late.

So.
That makes two of you.
Fine definitions from both but I NEED MORE!!

COME ON !!!!!

I know where you all live.
If you don't send me some definitions I shall send the boys round.

Mine's in, Bob. Sorry for the delay.

Well.

That's 3.

It might be a long wait because I'm not going to put the poll up until I have AT LEAST six.

I've emailed WM and CW, who have been MIA (that's an acronym I haven't used lately) recently.

I have six from four at the moment. Plus the real one and I can add a couple.

Like Oliver Twist, I want more.

When two more people enter, I shall post the poll.
And not until two more people enter!

I now have enough.

I'll leave it until tomorrow to post them in case all this prompting and prodding results in anyone else wanting to have a go.

OK then, here are the suggestions.
The choice is yours.

epergne

1. of a fish: to breed, spawn

2. a brittle crust that forms on the surface of thermal pools as minerals precipitate out of the water as it meets the cooler air.

3. a chevalier's riding crop.

4. a strike, or score, with a fencing sword.

5. a tip paid to a madam to ensure extra time with or services provided by a prostitute.

6. a branched table centrepiece for holding decorative displays of fruits, flowers or sweets

7. a flowering shrub of the genus Sparnia of North-Western France and Southern Belgium.

8. a fencing move in which the swordsman falls back prior to making a thrust

9. the ancient theory that the world is balanced n the backs of three monkeys.

10. a type of cream sauce used to dress savory dishes.

11. a short poem or verse that seeks to dramatize an everyday occurrence.

12. a coarse grass that grows in arid tropical and semi-tropical regions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BobHale,

I'll go with #6.

The only one I know is false is #9, since any fool knows it's turtles all the way down. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtles_all_the_way_down

Maybe it's the crust that forms on prostitutes in France and Belgium while they read short, dramatic verses in coarse tropical grass while thrusting their fencing swords at chevaliers with riding crops. Or maybe not. Oh, heck, I'll guess #2 and be done with it.

Boy, mine seems the best to me, but I know that's not it.

Ah, well, 3, please.

And I'll guess #11, but as I said in my PM, I really think it's a laxative.

WM

#2

FOur different guesses from five people. It seems that my fear that the word would be well-known to everyone but me was unfounded.

quote:

Originally posted by Geoff:

Maybe it's the crust that forms on prostitutes in France and Belgium while they read short, dramatic verses in coarse tropical grass while thrusting their fencing swords at chevaliers with riding crops.

Where do the three monkeys come into it? Probably wiser not to ask, I suppose.

quote:

Originally posted by Proofreader:
I'll go with #6.

Ditto.

still time? I don't like any of them! oh heck I'll try #12

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Proofreader:
I'll go with #6.


Ditto.

Uh--Oh!

Since arnie hath spoken, is it all over?

And Bob, the three monkeys are the subject of the verse they're reading.

Any more guesses before I give an answer.

I'll go with #11.

So here are the answers. If we ran a separate game guessing who would know the word, we'd all win every time.

epergne

1. of a fish: to breed, spawn (arnie)

2. a brittle crust that forms on the surface of thermal pools as minerals precipitate out of the water as it meets the cooler air. (wordmatic)

3. a chevalier's riding crop.
4. a strike, or score, with a fencing sword.
5. a tip paid to a madam to ensure extra time with or services provided by a prostitute. ( a trio from Geoff)

6. a branched table centrepiece for holding decorative displays of fruits, flowers or sweets (real,the right answer)

7. a flowering shrub of the genus Sparnia of North-Western France and Southern Belgium. (zmjezd)

8. a fencing move in which the swordsman falls back prior to making a thrust (Bob)

9. the ancient theory that the world is balanced n the backs of three monkeys. (Proofreader)

10. a type of cream sauce used to dress savory dishes. (wordmatic)

11. a short poem or verse that seeks to dramatize an everyday occurrence. (Kalleh)

12. a coarse grass that grows in arid tropical and semi-tropical regions. (Bob)


Proofreader and arnie knew it.

I hand over the challenge of defeating them to someone else.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BobHale,

Just a lucky guess for me.

I've no idea where, but I must have come across the word before. When Bob first posted it I hadn't a clue what it meant, not even a vague idea. When the list of daffynitions was posted. though, the correct answer jumped out at me.

Maybe it was mentioned on Antiques Roadshow or similar? I don't often watch such programmes but have done so a few times when I can't find anything better on TV.

It's a nice-looking table but what's
The reason it's moving. It cuts
My poor skin like a knofe
And please don't tell my wife
But this epergne's squashing my nuts.

eh-PER-gnee?)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Proofreader>,

quote:

I've no idea where, but I must have come across the word before.

Déjà vu...

Well, Kalleh, at least you and I snagged two each with ours.

WM

I've started a new game: lant.