issue 4, sometime in april 2000


 




 
 

retrofitting english
by nicholas noyes

The English language is famously elastic, borrowing words from every culture and language it is exposed to. Still, occasionally situations occur, things are invented, and social practices evolve, which beggar description in English or any other language. When this happens new words have to be minted. Instead, however, of today's rather watery neologisms a much better idea would be to recycle words not in general use. 

Old words are tougher, less creepy and brash, and have a fine finish--like polished mahogany. Obviously they would retain their old meanings as well as being retrofitted to accept new ones, thus making the language richer. In compiling this short list of possible relogisms, an attempt has been made (except of course when the attempt has not been made) to avoid words which are themselves neologisms. 

All words, of course, were new once, but words like Interdigitate (to interlock the digits of ones hands) or Antidisestablishmentarianism, both new in the Nineteenth century, are too easily broken down into their component parts, and feel, somehow, more like mathematical formula's than words. Indeed no words beginning with “I” have been used at all, because, frankly, most of them are neological. This is not a prejudice, it’s true, and a close reading of the dictionary will bear this out. 

old meaning new meaning
Abstringe To unbind or loosen.  Awkwardness caused by belief that one's gym instructor thinks that you have a crush on them. 

Bashit

 

Scots. Mashed, as in Mashed Vegetables The stuff that happened in 'Nam. The stuff that's happening in today's high schools.
Boggart Eng. Evil Goblin who haunts a particular place Day-time Talk-show host
Battological Stammering, repeating one's self The type of stuff sports figures say when given free reign in interviews. 
Begrutten Swollen of face from too much crying. Feeling of resentment caused by guilt-induced attendance at family reunion. 
Blissom To couple with an Ewe The annoyingly happy state of the persistently ignorant and inept. 
Contesseration Contraction of Friendship The process by which certain American's, notably Donald Trump, feel that the company of Eurotrash reflects well on them. 
Cornuted Having horns—also cuckolded Elements that have been changed in a film version of a book. 
Dandiprat 1) Small coin,  2) Small insignificant or contemptible fellow A friend who consistently solicits your opinion on a new piece of his or her wardrobe that you find appalling. 
Dooputty   Hind. Sheet-like Garment Regis Philben's technique of "sweating" contestants on "Millionaire"
Edmede Feeling of humility Characteristic surfeit of Chintz found in American Bed and Breakfasts
Faldetta Maltese Cap Purported feud between two professional wrestlers
Forprise Exception or Reservation Similar to prequel with the added sense that it is particularly unworthy of the original book, movie, etc. 
Fritiniency To twitter Gastric distress caused by Olestra
Gearksutite An earth with the appearance of clay A person who relishes wearing the wardrobe of dress-down Fridays
Giabella Small space in the human forehead between the eyebrows and immediately above a line from one to another. A TV anchorperson specializing in looks of concern over items of "bad" news.
Grede To cry out or crow An individual who models their character on that of Gordon Gekko in “Wall Street”
Guinguette A suburban cabaret. A place of low class, for drinking and eating. Entertainer favored by denizens of Shopping malls - i. e. Tiffany, Brittany Spears
Hained Saved for consumption Having drunkenly appeared in public in ones underwear
 Hamacratic  Pertaining to government by mutual action  Beliefs expoused by Actors turned Politicians
 Haskardly  Low, vulgar, base  Irritatingly inept use of a computer or till - esp. in the case of trainee cashiers
 Hircocervus  Mythological creature half goat, half stag  Unattributable injury received during a bachelor party
 Hoplites  Heavy Greek infantry  Dancers seen in the background on live MTV broadcasts
 Malebogle  Eighth circle of hell  The facial expression peculiar to politicians discussing campaign finance reform.
 Minky  Dirty or disgusting  Pundit employed to comment on media coverage on TV. Esp. MSNBC or CNN
 Kerimery  Filigree work  The claiming of Irish roots by American politicians
 Menging  Mingling, mixture  Petty theft of office sup
 Merribowk  Sillibub or Posset  Adhesive used to stick swimsuits to beauty contestants' behinds. 
 Moloker  Renovated silk hat  Derisive:  Style of dress affected by younger sibling at some point during their first year of college
 Nieveling  Method of milking cows  Whining about the service in a fast food restaurant or diner
 Nippitate  Good Ale or other liquor. Prime Quality  Precise calculation by advertising professionals about the exact placement of a breast, covered or not, male or female, in an advertisement
 Oxter  Armpit  Stranger sitting next to you in public place, be it airplane or sporting event who persistently invades your seat space
 Partlet  Feminine article of apparel worn around neck  That region of a shared apartment agreed by common consent to be "yours"
 Quemful  Pleasing, agreeable  Angst induced by the realization that time spent watching the Fox network is part of your life you can never have back
 Ratelier  Stand for weapons  Owner of a Fleapit
 Scampavia  Swift sailing ship used in the Mediterranean  Mythological land inhabited by former child and animal stars
 Shabash  Hindi phrase borrowed by the British meaning "Well done"  Slight smirk visible on a politician's face when he finds himself in a position to attack a political opponent's morals
 Siderate To be blasted by lightening The arithmetic performed by couples deciding whose parents they spend the holidays with
 Skintle  To separate and reset half-dried bricks to facilitate drying  To lure people's interest in a product, activity or story with semi-clad models
 Slite  Wear and tear  Web site with no purpose other than to provide a web address they can add to conventional advertising
 Smoring  Burning without flame  Excessive vocally expressed nostalgia for summer camp
 Swingletree  Board used in dressing flax  Lamppost, hydrant, tree or similar used both by dogs for urination and by their owners as a locus for flirtation with other dog-owners
 Thrutch  Thrust, push, press  The constant readjustment of the groin area by professional athletes
 Tribade  Woman who indulges in unnatural acts with other women  Artificial name for listening area used by traffic reporters—e. g. the Southland's, the Tristate area, etc.
 Vaidie  Guileful Cunning  Daydreamlike speculation on what life would be like if things had worked out with ex-girl or boyfriend
 Wup  To bind  Unforceful, timid, or shy urban professional
 Xyster  An instrument for scraping bone  Television expert on youth culture
 Ylome  Frequently, Often  Slightly self-conscious gait of someone, in anger or denial, ignoring dirty dishes piled in a sink
 Zock  Exclamation  Matted fibers found between toes

 


 

Nicholas Noyes is a contributor to The Amok Fifth Dispatch, and is a member of team Gonzaga. Check the archive for more stories by Mr. Noyes.

Contact e-mail NickNoyes@earthlink.net

 

 

 
 


 
 
 
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