As promised, I am restarting this thread with the new rules. Asa wanted me to remind us not to forget to rotate the WordMaster duties to the new players.

WordMaster duties will be rotated throughout all players.
3 points for the WordMaster fooling everyone.
2 points for guessing the word correctly.
1 point for fooling someone else with your definition.

The WordMaster will post the word, and then the players will send the WordMaster a private topic with a definition intended to bluff the players. Even if you know the word, you should send a made-up definition. When the WordMaster gets an adequate number of definitions (around 6), he/she will post them. Then the players will choose what they think the real definition is.


Now for my word:

quisquilious

One of my sources spelled it "quisquillous," but the gold standard, OED (except for deleting "epicaricacy" ), spells it "quisquilious."

[This message was edited by Kalleh on Wed Feb 11th, 2004 at 7:21.]

Last call for "quisquilious!" I have 6 responses so far; remember, the more the merrier!

I will post the definitions tonight (CST).

Here are the definitions. No cheating now!

1) From the archaic Castilian Spanish "quinoseer," meaning "questioning".

2) Made of rubbish.

3) Having a black sheen, like the feathers of a blackbird (genus Quisquilis).

4) Indecisive.

5) Displaying qualities of a traitor.

6) Treacherous, dishonest, untrustworthy (...such a gallery of quisquilious rogues..., Titus Andronicus - W. Shakespeare)

7) Anything in nature related to 5-sides; such as porcupine quills, many blades of grass, and snowflakes. In relating to people, a quisquilious person relates to all sides, trying to please everyone; but pleasing no one.

My vote is for 2)

I'm voting for 3

3 please

Every silver lining has a cloud.
Read all about my travels around the world here.
Read even more of my travel writing and poems on my weblog.

I vote for 3...

Three people vote for #3 and Arnie votes for #2 which, all things considered, make them about equal.

Can #5 and #6 both be right? If someone happens to actually know the meaning of the word, should they submit the correct definition or, for the sake of the game, just make something up?

Another observation - Might this game be better played if the final guesses also were sent in via PT? Just a thought...

I hate to just join a crowd but when I first read the list, #3 was the one to jump out at me as the most logical sounding so I'll go with it. I have reasons for liking and disliking others but I'll save any critique for later.


(Of course, if Arnie made up definition #3, I am going to be sooo pissed!)

7

Tinman

Since 5 and 6 are essentially the same, I'll assume that 6 is the answer, and that Arnie gave the correct answer, as usual...

Asa said:

quote:

---

I'll assume that 6 is the answer, and that Arnie gave the correct answer, as usual...

---

yeahbut... I went for number 2...

I will post the answer later this evening. Does anyone else want to play?

1) From the archaic Castilian Spanish "quinoseer," meaning "questioning"....WinterBranch

2) Made of rubbish. OED

3) Having a black sheen, like the feathers of a blackbird (genus Quisquilis).arnie

4) Indecisive.Asa

5) Displaying qualities of a traitor.CJ

6) Treacherous, dishonest, untrustworthy (...such a gallery of quisquilious rogues..., Titus Andronicus - W. Shakespeare)Bob

7) Anything in nature related to 5-sides; such as porcupine quills, many blades of grass, and snowflakes. In relating to people, a quisquilious person relates to all sides, trying to please everyone; but pleasing no one. KHC

arnie - 6!!! (didn't I say we all had to try harder, guys?!)
Kalleh - 0
Asa - 0
Bob - 2
WinterBranch - 0
KHC - 1

Totals:
arnie - 20
CJ - 8 1/2
Bob - 7
Asa - 7
Kalleh - 5
Shu - 3
Wordnerd - 3
WinterBranch - 2
KHC - 2
Haberdasher - 1

Well, I must confess to having an advantage for quisquilious, Our Latin teacher used to write trenchant comments, in Latin, on our homework. One I remember is quisquiliae sunt, which I had to look up in the dictionary. Unfortunately I found out it meant "rubbish"! I still remember the word forty years later.

When I was looking for a word for an earlier game I came across grackle (a North American blackbird) but rejected it as an American would probably know it. I remembered that the grackle is of the genus quis-something or other and so used it in an attempt to lend authenticity to my definition. It seems to have worked!

By the way, the real genus of the grackle is Quiscalus, according to Dictionary.com.

I think we need an extension to the rules to take into account what happens if someone accidentally guesses the right answer or if two people come up with extremely similar answers - oh yes, and to handicap arnie.

Any suggestions ?

And who's next up ?

(I feel quite worried that my guess was so simalr to CJ's, does this mean I need to spend my savings on seeking psychiatric help ?)


Every silver lining has a cloud.
Read all about my travels around the world here.
Read even more of my travel writing and poems on my weblog.

Like Arnie, I had hoped that my definition, being somewhat similar to that of the word "Quisling" which this round's word resembled, would prompt gullible Wordcrafters to jump on it. Unlike Arnie, sadly, no one's buying my BS these days. Three fine incorrect definitions and total point earnings of, roughly, bupkus.


And B.H., I'm mildly insulted. I would think that the similarity of our answers would be cause for great jubilation on your part. It's good to see that I'm finally having a positive effect on you.

Bob, do you want to suggest a new rule? To me, it really doesn't matter if the 2 are similar (obviously they won't be exactly similar.) Actually, CJ had decided against a more detailed part to his answer, and I definitely would have gone for that detailed answer. However, if it bothers others to have similar definitions, we could have the WordMaster contact them and ask for other definitions. Or, does anyone have another suggestion?

As far as arnie, I don't know what to do! He's waaaay too good for me! One thing--maybe arnie should try to post his answer last? Otherwise, I know I will always want to select his definition!

I suggest KHC next as she is newest to the board. Should we have the WordMaster suggest the next person, based on who has posted words before? I don't want to be too controlling here!

I have an appalling lack of self discipline and an irresistible urge to learn. I am unable to enforce the Prohibition against looking for information about the quiz word in all possible sources.

So .... that's to explain my absence.

in case anyone wondered.

~~~~ jerry

~~~jerry,

I did wonder! So perhaps you should be the Grand Poohbah next.. I certainly don't want to be.. Therefore, you would be in control and not have to worry about cheating.

Isn't that a grand idea? Whaddya think?

So perhaps you should be the Grand Poohbah next.
____________________________________________

As the one who started this game, I AM THE GRAND POOBAH. However, I do think that you should take the duties of WordMaster for the next round, KHC. Go to it!

Lord Asa the munificent and most wise Grand Poobah

Poor Jerry, he's probably still sucking on that coconut and missed his chance to LEAD. I will accept the Wordmaster position.. give me 24 hours! I know that you post definitions by private email... Did you want to post answers privately also? So no one can see which one Arnie picks? Or stick to posting answers in public...?

Hey, that's a marvelous idea, KHC! We wouldn't even have to start another private topic thread, unless the person guessing didn't post a definition, as Tinman sometimes does. We could put our guesses in the same private topic we used to post our definitions. Then, I wouldn't be tempted by arnie!

I know what you mean, Jerry. I look up the word the second I have chosen a definition. We would love to see you playing here, though. I imagine you would have some really creative definitions. I thought Bob's was just great last time.

Posting the votes by private message as well as the definitions seems fair enough to me. What says the Grand Poobah?

Posting the votes by private message as well as the definitions seems fair
enough to me. What says the Grand Poobah?
------------------------------------------------
It's worth trying. If it takes away from the fun, we can revert to the public posting of who picked what. Give it a try!

Asa,
We've waited all day for the Poobah okay.. I have a great word, I hope, that confounds everyone.. I will post on Monday. I want to be sure CJ is aware, he's been too quiet. Jerry, I wish you would join us.. and play along, w/o resorting to the dictionary. I'm on Eastern Standard Time, US... in case anyone wonders..
Hope everyone had a great President's Day/Valentine weekend... but I guess those of you in the UK don't celebrate President's Day.. Unfortunately, here in the states, it has become a good time to buy linens and towels.. Washington and Lincoln combined... it's a shame.

I will continue this in Bluffing Game 2, because I don't know how to start a new thread.. I don't even sew, for God's sakes!

Put on your thinking caps, my Mensa friends.

Don't worry about not starting a new thread, KHC. It's better this way. This gives newcomers the opportunity to review past games without having to go from thread to thread to thread.

And if I'm not around for a while, don't sweat it. I wouldn't want anyone to accuse you of favoritism. If I'm ever away for a while, it's probably due to work. Not a regular 8-to-5 kinda guy, most of my work is done from Thursday to Monday morning.


So bring on your killer word!

As promised, I am continuing this thread with the new rules. Asa wanted me to remind us not to forget to rotate the WordMaster duties to the new players.

WordMaster duties will be rotated throughout all players.
3 points for the WordMaster fooling everyone.
2 points for guessing the word correctly.
1 point for fooling someone else with your definition.

The WordMaster will post the word, and then the players will send the WordMaster a private topic with a definition intended to bluff the players. Even if you know the word, you should send a made-up definition. When the WordMaster gets an adequate number of definitions (around 6), he/she will post them. Then the players will choose, by private topic, what they think the real definition is.

Therefore, everyone will email me at khcharb@juno.com... their definition, and their choice of definitions when all are received.
If everyone sends me a correct definition, I will evaporate into the stratosphere, never to be heard from again...

The new Bluff word is: elaterium

Bring it on!

KHC, do you want an e-mail rather than a private topic?

Kalleh,
It doesn't matter.. So far I have 3 definitions... send me another one!

Now I have four definitions... I need more!

Sorry Kiddo, but this might just mean a bit more work from you this time around. Previously we came to a general agreement that if 6 entrees were not received by a certain time (though I don't think we came to any definite figure there) the WordMaster would be responsible for bringing the number up to that figure. Having one player come up with more than one definition would be an easy way out maybe but wouldn't be entirely fair point-wise later on.

Alternatively, read the board to see who the culprits are who have posted definitions before, but not now, and then e-mail or PT them to get their arse in gear! [Can you tell that I have been reading a book written by an Irish author?]

CJ has called me a noodge before, and I guess he is right!

I have 5 replies as of 6:30 pm EST... is that enough? Or do I need to noodge people...?

I "noodged" a few regulars... if I hear nothing, I will post possible definitions on Thursday night, 9 pm EST.

Use your noodle, not your google..

Use your noodle, not your google
----------------------------------
What do you find when you Google "noodle?"

Ta da! Here are the definitions.. Have fun.
Private post your votes.

1. A special room designed for pure pleasure. (from Sanskrit elat-- off to one side).

2. Ancient Roman theatre used solely for the performance of sung or recited verse.

3. A chemical element discovered by Sir William Crookes in 1898. Its nitrate is obtained by practical decomposition and crystallization of yttrium nitrate. Its atomic weight is 117.

4. The part of a Victorian theatre or music hall's auditorium comprising private boxes. The area occupied by the upper classes.

5. Most recent addition to the Periodic Table of Elements (discovered January 2004), highly unstable and not found in nature, it has a half-life of less than 20 nanoseconds.

6. A cathartic obtained from the dried juice of the spitting cucumber.

7. An aside, or incidental comment, from Latin, latus, side..

The word was elaterium.

Asa,
I never received your vote... private post me!

I am afraid to google "noodle"... God knows what will be there...

..... number three of course

Asa,
I never received your vote... private post me
______________________________________
I've e-mailed and I've PMed #4. Now I've gone public with it!

I have all the results and a nice, lengthy summary, but it refuses to send... This is a test..

It, it, what it? The damned computer, or the damned DSL or the damned internet.. who knows?

Jerry authored #1 - he fooled no one (0 points)
BobHale authored #2 - he fooled Kalleh (1 pt)
Kalleh authored #3 - she fooled jerry (1 pt)
Arnie authored #4 - he fooled Asa, CJ, Bob Hale (3 pts)
CJ authored #5 - he fooled no one, sorry KnifeMan (0 points)
KHC authored #6 - she fooled everyone! (3 pts)
Asa authored #7 - he fooled Arnie (1 point)

I'm keeping this short in hopes it will SEND..

I guess I can only write "briefly"... damned machine!

Watch those salads... you may find a spitting cucumber!

Please don't make me add point totals.. it is too late at night.. we'll do that tomorrow.. Arnie is still way ahead of the game. The Grand Poobah, Asa, who DID fool Arnie, needs to select the next Wordmaster... (In fact, they fooled each other.. )

Congratulations, KHC! You are the first WordMaster to manage to fool everyone!

I found this page at google:

quote:

---

There is a case on record of a French doctor who suffered severely from carrying some of the seeds in his hat from the Jardin des Plante to his Paris lodging.

---

... His hat?

Great Job, KHC!

Jerry, you haven't done your duty as Wordmaster, soooo, you're up!

Unaccustomed, as I am, to being "up," I'm here now to announce, with appropriate fanfare

(roll of drums)

(blare of trumpets)

The next word is ...... (the envelope, please!) ...

............. ........ ..... ... .. . psithurism

Belatedly, but congratulations, KHC!

CJ and I think alike!

Thanks, Kalleh... I think I was just lucky!

Evidently, you and CJ are twins separated at birth..

Now we have Surfer Boy leading the pack.. I think the winner of this next game needs a trip to Hawaii, courtesy of jerry..

Once again (4 times in a row, now!) I've had what I considered a crackerjack definition and once again I'm pointless. (I hear that a lot...)

Also, for the second time in a row I almost matched someone else with my phoney definition. What that says about B.H. and/or Kalleh, I don't know.

HOWEVER!! The new word is vaguely familiar to me. While I can't pull the correct definition out of the ol' grey matter at the moment, I'm hoping I'll at least be able to recognize it from the list. I'll catch Arnie yet!

(Yeah, right...)