We recently brought you a history of some of the main modern profanities. We now bring you some ways to spice those modern profanities up with a bit of “dad-sizzle!” Dad-sizzle, dad-blast, dadgum, dad-seize, dad-rat, dad-swamp… dad-anything, really These variations all symbolise an exclamation of contempt along the lines of “godamn!” Thunderation! Botheration! This is … Continue reading
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The Father of Fuck
Profanities are a cornerstone of any language, and always have been. Just ask our ancestoers, who coined the following delightful ways in which to enrich your vocabulary. Sard – the Father of Fuck Sard was a precursor to fuck, the latter of which surfaced in around the 15th century (see our entry on the history … Continue reading
A Compendium of Some of Our Favourite Lost Words So Far
Every now and then, we like to look back on things and consider them. We realise this is somewhat of a redundant statement considering we are in the business of delving into the musky depths of the English language. Let us rephrase – we wish to look back fondly upon some of our favourite lost … Continue reading
19.10.14
Euphemisms for Being Drunk
Euphemisms for Being Drunk Inebriated, intoxicated, tipsy, sideways… We think it’s high time we brightened up our euphemisms for being drunk. As reported on our Facebook page, Benjamin Franklin reportedly collected them as a hobby. The following have been taken from his collections in addition to the St Louis Republic Journal dated 30 June 1901, … Continue reading
Bring Back the Substances… ?
This week we bring to you not words, but substances. That’s right ladies and gentlemen. This week we are offering you a gentle stroll back in time, an ambulate through the arenas of the substances once consumed by our forefathers and mothers legally. Cocaine Cocaine was an over the counter drug commonly found in toothache … Continue reading
Unusual Etymologies Part II
And now for our second instalment of unusual etymologies… Namby-pamby Some of you may have seen that episode of Boston Legal in which Denny Crane wins a case by insinuating that Judge Clark Brown is a “namby-pamby” (if you haven’t but are partial to satires infused with a spot of legal drama and a sh*t-ton … Continue reading
Unusual Etymologies
Today we bring to you Part I of II installments of unusual word origins. Enjoy. Avocado The etymological origins of avocado lie in the Aztec word, ahuacatl. Ahuacatl means testicle. That’s right. Every time your partner or housemate goes down to the supermarket and you call gleefully after them, “Don’t forget the avocados!”, you are … Continue reading
Not Always as They Seem
Today’s topic comes courtesy of the very fine fellows over at ideas.ted.com – well worth a follow if you don’t already. Most people are aware that words change meaning over time. For example, presently is no longer used to mean ‘at once’ but has been appropriated into use over time to mean “without undue delay”. … Continue reading
Vociferous Victorians – Phrases We Love
Today we serve up to you some delectable Victorian slang. As it turns out, people have been ‘back dooring it’ for years. Back slang it (phrase, slang) Popular amongst thieves, this phrase means to go out the back way. “Have you seen the bride?” “She back slanged it about 10 minutes ago.” One of our … Continue reading
Bring Back the Words 