Around the world, Plain English is used as a communication tool. Today, as an English person born and bred, I decided to exhume this anything-but-plain snippet, created back in 2009, after a partaker of Fridge Soup listed (in random order) all the strange-looking words in the following lines. I promise my verse does make sense, once you hit a dictionary! :-)
Words, words, words...
A daysypigal hound with a dose of cynanthropy,
I'm still a romantic inclined to philosophy.
I'm not furfuraceous or given to ticks,
but ichthyomancy is one of my tricks,
as I geniculate, pre omphaloskepsis -
(I guess folks may wonder what the heck that is?)
I am known for philanthropy rather than love.
So I pray any qualtagh, who's sent from above,
will be no snollygoster, but a good friend of mine.
Otherwise, why bother wasting my time?
Thanks go to P&SU Friday Writing's #97 for nudging me into action!
A translation (of sorts) is provided HERE, for those of an enquiring mind.
LOL, I know the words are all real, but their unfamiliarity to me gives this piece an Alice in Wonderland feel. I wonder if the Jabberwocky is naturally daysypigal or does it sport a denuded rump?
ReplyDeleteDepends how sharp his razor is?! lol
DeleteThis makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteBut of course! That's always a writer's aim - isn't it? :-)
DeleteYou certainly know how to sniff out the best words buried in dictionaries that need airing out. :)
ReplyDeleteI claim no credit for finding the obscure words. They originated from 'SmitoniusAndSonata' via 'Fridge Soup' blog, as mentioned above.
DeleteI never cease to thank the diligence of the person who collected them ! :-)
Love your take Jinksy, Ma'am! Now I know why Hank's English teacher of old used to remind - "use simple English" It was less use of the dictionary then. Looking at it now it could be fun!
ReplyDeleteHank
Any dictionary is a delight for word-addicts like me :-) Thanks for stopping to read and comment.
DeleteWhat wonderful words! I did know philanthropy already (I guess most people did) but the others were a delight to discover. Not sure I'll be dropping them into conversation, however, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite is the 'navel-gazing' ! (omphaloskepsis)
DeleteMore than enough words I knew to make this a delightful little romp. I did cheat and use my dictionary though.
ReplyDeleteI certainly had to look at a dictionary before I managed to write anything. I often wondered how long it took SmitoniusAndSonata to compile their original list! :-)
DeleteSnollygoster is my new favorite word!
ReplyDeleteIt does have a great ring to it, I agree! LOL
DeleteWhat a fun poem and I love snollygoster Will look that up otherwise too many difficult ones for a Dutch person
ReplyDeleteI promise to write out an understandable translation of the whole thing, just to satisfy your curiosity. It may take me some time. Hehehe...
DeleteWhat? And what again? Looking forward to the translation Jinksy.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to find you in my comments; I have been bemoaning the fact that so many of my erstwhile blogging mates seem to have disappeared. Mind you, I have several times almost disappeared too.
It's hard to find interesting things to write after so many years. Look forward to hearing from you again.
Oh my goodness me! Hello, hello Blogpal! - no moderation required. I simply had a very busy day yesterday, as my Bro and Sister-in-law, on holiday in Minos, were sending multiple messages!
DeleteTranslation now on blog :- https://havantaclue.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-translation.html
♥
Where's my reply, do you have moderation here?
ReplyDeleteMore info on its way, m'dear - no moderation, promise. xx
DeleteAfter listening to the news this last few days, I feel like I could just geniculate snollygosters until they cry uncle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun read.
Hahah! What a perfect way to deal with the baddies, and all in perfectly legal language with no '******bleeps', either. :-)
DeleteI feel like I have dyslexia when I read your poem (I kind of mumbled and scanned the words) :)
ReplyDelete*smiles* - but I hope you fared better with the rough translation posted HERE
DeleteI felt immersed in a Lewis Carroll story!
ReplyDeleteLewis Carroll made up his own words, but in this post all the strange words may be found in a dictionary...
DeleteI have to admit, I sometimes follow his lead and make up new ones of my own, for example:-
Verifiable Nonsense
I'd like a job like Blogger's.
I could dodyliff all day
inventing splochi phloffers
(quite japfalod and gay)
for word verifications -
I'd do it for no pay!
No misaplovel spellings
would haunt my very dreams
when my twidanocky digits
typed words I didn't mean.
Imagination squafolding,
I'd write 'em by the ream,
'cos me an' totzy nonsense
make a undiflopit team.