@imjohn.bsky.social
Today the word is “parvitude”...or “parvity”.
“Parvitude” is defined as:
“an extremely small or minute thing” or
“the quality or state of being little” or
“littleness” or
“minuteness” or
“smallness”.
It comes from the Latin word “parvus” (meaning “little”).
“Parvitude” is defined as:
“an extremely small or minute thing” or
“the quality or state of being little” or
“littleness” or
“minuteness” or
“smallness”.
It comes from the Latin word “parvus” (meaning “little”).
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Today the word is “parvitude”...or “parvity”.
“Parvitude” is defined as:
“an extremely small or minute thing” or
“the quality or state of being little” or
“littleness” or
“minuteness” or
“smallness”.
It comes from the Latin word “parvus” (meaning “little”).
“Parvitude” is defined as:
“an extremely small or minute thing” or
“the quality or state of being little” or
“littleness” or
“minuteness” or
“smallness”.
It comes from the Latin word “parvus” (meaning “little”).
Today's word: "rigmarole" is “a rambling and disconnected account” or “an unending story or yarn”.
It is said to be a corruption of "rag man role". It goes back to the early 18th century.
If you've ever spent any time in my company you have more than a passing acquaintance with "rigmarole".
It is said to be a corruption of "rag man role". It goes back to the early 18th century.
If you've ever spent any time in my company you have more than a passing acquaintance with "rigmarole".
November 21, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Today's word: "rigmarole" is “a rambling and disconnected account” or “an unending story or yarn”.
It is said to be a corruption of "rag man role". It goes back to the early 18th century.
If you've ever spent any time in my company you have more than a passing acquaintance with "rigmarole".
It is said to be a corruption of "rag man role". It goes back to the early 18th century.
If you've ever spent any time in my company you have more than a passing acquaintance with "rigmarole".
Today's word is "esurient", which means “hungry” or “greedy”.
From Latin "esurire" (to be hungry).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root "ed" (to eat, to bite).
One might say "the esurient personalities which are drawn to celebrity at all costs diminishes both the audience and the artist".
From Latin "esurire" (to be hungry).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root "ed" (to eat, to bite).
One might say "the esurient personalities which are drawn to celebrity at all costs diminishes both the audience and the artist".
November 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Today's word is "esurient", which means “hungry” or “greedy”.
From Latin "esurire" (to be hungry).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root "ed" (to eat, to bite).
One might say "the esurient personalities which are drawn to celebrity at all costs diminishes both the audience and the artist".
From Latin "esurire" (to be hungry).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root "ed" (to eat, to bite).
One might say "the esurient personalities which are drawn to celebrity at all costs diminishes both the audience and the artist".
Today's word is "rede", from the Old English "raed" meaning "counsel" or "advice".
The "redder" is one who tries to separate parties fighting or who settles, or "redes", a quarrel.
King Ethelred II "the Redeless" or "the Unready" ("unredey") meaning he was without, or destitute of, counsel.
The "redder" is one who tries to separate parties fighting or who settles, or "redes", a quarrel.
King Ethelred II "the Redeless" or "the Unready" ("unredey") meaning he was without, or destitute of, counsel.
November 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Today's word is "rede", from the Old English "raed" meaning "counsel" or "advice".
The "redder" is one who tries to separate parties fighting or who settles, or "redes", a quarrel.
King Ethelred II "the Redeless" or "the Unready" ("unredey") meaning he was without, or destitute of, counsel.
The "redder" is one who tries to separate parties fighting or who settles, or "redes", a quarrel.
King Ethelred II "the Redeless" or "the Unready" ("unredey") meaning he was without, or destitute of, counsel.
Today's word is "soodle", a word for which I can find only the definition "to go unwillingly". One might "soodle" out in foul weather; or find oneself facing The Forlorn Hope, and "soodle" on; or one might cling to a position or situation made untenable wherein the only option is to "soodle" off.
November 14, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Today's word is "soodle", a word for which I can find only the definition "to go unwillingly". One might "soodle" out in foul weather; or find oneself facing The Forlorn Hope, and "soodle" on; or one might cling to a position or situation made untenable wherein the only option is to "soodle" off.
Today's word comes from Germany: "gemutlichkeit"
(that's guh-myoot-lish-KYT, -likh-, -MOOT-). The German word "gemütlichkeit" comes from "gemütlich" (comfortable, cozy). It dates from the late 1800s and means "warm friendliness; comfortableness; coziness". I wish you all "gemutlichkeit" today.
(that's guh-myoot-lish-KYT, -likh-, -MOOT-). The German word "gemütlichkeit" comes from "gemütlich" (comfortable, cozy). It dates from the late 1800s and means "warm friendliness; comfortableness; coziness". I wish you all "gemutlichkeit" today.
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Today's word comes from Germany: "gemutlichkeit"
(that's guh-myoot-lish-KYT, -likh-, -MOOT-). The German word "gemütlichkeit" comes from "gemütlich" (comfortable, cozy). It dates from the late 1800s and means "warm friendliness; comfortableness; coziness". I wish you all "gemutlichkeit" today.
(that's guh-myoot-lish-KYT, -likh-, -MOOT-). The German word "gemütlichkeit" comes from "gemütlich" (comfortable, cozy). It dates from the late 1800s and means "warm friendliness; comfortableness; coziness". I wish you all "gemutlichkeit" today.
Today the phrase is "all Sir Garnet" which means "everything is as it should be". This began as an army (British) phrase of the 1880s arising from Sir Garnet Wolseley's skillfully organised operations in Egypt.
November 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Today the phrase is "all Sir Garnet" which means "everything is as it should be". This began as an army (British) phrase of the 1880s arising from Sir Garnet Wolseley's skillfully organised operations in Egypt.
Today the phrase is "all Sir Garnet" which means "everything is as it should be". This began as an army (British) phrase of the 1880s arising from Sir Garnet Wolseley's skillfully organised operations in Egypt.
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Today the phrase is "all Sir Garnet" which means "everything is as it should be". This began as an army (British) phrase of the 1880s arising from Sir Garnet Wolseley's skillfully organised operations in Egypt.
Today “animal sound” words:
To "curkle": cry like a quail.
To "winx": bray like a donkey.
To "desticate": squeak like a rat.
To "chirr": trill like a grasshopper.
A cock, when it crows: gi'-me-trousers.
A nightingale's cry: jug.
The cicada can be heard "cigling".
To "curkle": cry like a quail.
To "winx": bray like a donkey.
To "desticate": squeak like a rat.
To "chirr": trill like a grasshopper.
A cock, when it crows: gi'-me-trousers.
A nightingale's cry: jug.
The cicada can be heard "cigling".
November 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Today “animal sound” words:
To "curkle": cry like a quail.
To "winx": bray like a donkey.
To "desticate": squeak like a rat.
To "chirr": trill like a grasshopper.
A cock, when it crows: gi'-me-trousers.
A nightingale's cry: jug.
The cicada can be heard "cigling".
To "curkle": cry like a quail.
To "winx": bray like a donkey.
To "desticate": squeak like a rat.
To "chirr": trill like a grasshopper.
A cock, when it crows: gi'-me-trousers.
A nightingale's cry: jug.
The cicada can be heard "cigling".
Today's word is "tiffin":
“a form of confection made up of crumbed digestive biscuits, sugar, syrup, raisins and cocoa powder, and a layer of melted chocolate”
or
a "fridge-cake"
or
“a light meal, usually lunch”.
The word may be used to indicate a "small treat of little substance or worth".
“a form of confection made up of crumbed digestive biscuits, sugar, syrup, raisins and cocoa powder, and a layer of melted chocolate”
or
a "fridge-cake"
or
“a light meal, usually lunch”.
The word may be used to indicate a "small treat of little substance or worth".
October 31, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Today's word is "tiffin":
“a form of confection made up of crumbed digestive biscuits, sugar, syrup, raisins and cocoa powder, and a layer of melted chocolate”
or
a "fridge-cake"
or
“a light meal, usually lunch”.
The word may be used to indicate a "small treat of little substance or worth".
“a form of confection made up of crumbed digestive biscuits, sugar, syrup, raisins and cocoa powder, and a layer of melted chocolate”
or
a "fridge-cake"
or
“a light meal, usually lunch”.
The word may be used to indicate a "small treat of little substance or worth".
Today's word is "hypnagogia".
This is the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep. The transition from sleep to wakefulness is a "hypnopompic" state. Phenomena during this phase include lucid dreaming, hallucinations, out of body experiences and sleep paralysis.
This is the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep. The transition from sleep to wakefulness is a "hypnopompic" state. Phenomena during this phase include lucid dreaming, hallucinations, out of body experiences and sleep paralysis.
October 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Today's word is "hypnagogia".
This is the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep. The transition from sleep to wakefulness is a "hypnopompic" state. Phenomena during this phase include lucid dreaming, hallucinations, out of body experiences and sleep paralysis.
This is the transitional state from wakefulness to sleep. The transition from sleep to wakefulness is a "hypnopompic" state. Phenomena during this phase include lucid dreaming, hallucinations, out of body experiences and sleep paralysis.
Today's word is “blousy" or "blowsy" or "blowzy" and are all pronounced "BLOU-zee".
An adjective with two meanings:
1. Having a coarsely ruddy complexion.
2. Disheveled, or unkempt.
It has it's origins in the English dialect "blowze" (wench); and dates from around the 1770s.
An adjective with two meanings:
1. Having a coarsely ruddy complexion.
2. Disheveled, or unkempt.
It has it's origins in the English dialect "blowze" (wench); and dates from around the 1770s.
October 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Today's word is “blousy" or "blowsy" or "blowzy" and are all pronounced "BLOU-zee".
An adjective with two meanings:
1. Having a coarsely ruddy complexion.
2. Disheveled, or unkempt.
It has it's origins in the English dialect "blowze" (wench); and dates from around the 1770s.
An adjective with two meanings:
1. Having a coarsely ruddy complexion.
2. Disheveled, or unkempt.
It has it's origins in the English dialect "blowze" (wench); and dates from around the 1770s.
Today's word is "kakistocracy", which is a government made up of the morally bankrupt or bone-headedly ignorant... in other words, a "kakistocracy" is a government formed of the worst possible people.
October 22, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Today's word is "kakistocracy", which is a government made up of the morally bankrupt or bone-headedly ignorant... in other words, a "kakistocracy" is a government formed of the worst possible people.
Today's word is "optant".
Meaning either
1. A person who, when the territory of which he or she is a citizen changes its sovereignty, has the choice between retaining the former citizenship and
accepting the new one.
or
2. A person who opts for, into, or out of something.
Meaning either
1. A person who, when the territory of which he or she is a citizen changes its sovereignty, has the choice between retaining the former citizenship and
accepting the new one.
or
2. A person who opts for, into, or out of something.
October 20, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Today's word is "optant".
Meaning either
1. A person who, when the territory of which he or she is a citizen changes its sovereignty, has the choice between retaining the former citizenship and
accepting the new one.
or
2. A person who opts for, into, or out of something.
Meaning either
1. A person who, when the territory of which he or she is a citizen changes its sovereignty, has the choice between retaining the former citizenship and
accepting the new one.
or
2. A person who opts for, into, or out of something.
The word is "otiose". This means "useless", or "idle", or "unnecessary". It should not be confused with "adipose", which means "fat".
October 19, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The word is "otiose". This means "useless", or "idle", or "unnecessary". It should not be confused with "adipose", which means "fat".
Today's word is "sanctimonia clarus" (charity clause). It refers to the sort of "catch" used by individuals/organisations offering charity to needy people but only on condition. An example of would be a soup kitchen which offers free soup to the homeless, but only if they listen to a bible reading.
October 18, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Today's word is "sanctimonia clarus" (charity clause). It refers to the sort of "catch" used by individuals/organisations offering charity to needy people but only on condition. An example of would be a soup kitchen which offers free soup to the homeless, but only if they listen to a bible reading.
Today's word is "amandation", which is "the act of dismissing or sending away"... So, one might look upon a contest, say, an election, as a chance to perform an "amandation".
Afterwards, however, there may be, depending on personal alliances, a feeling of "amarulence" ( bitterness; spite).
Afterwards, however, there may be, depending on personal alliances, a feeling of "amarulence" ( bitterness; spite).
October 16, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Today's word is "amandation", which is "the act of dismissing or sending away"... So, one might look upon a contest, say, an election, as a chance to perform an "amandation".
Afterwards, however, there may be, depending on personal alliances, a feeling of "amarulence" ( bitterness; spite).
Afterwards, however, there may be, depending on personal alliances, a feeling of "amarulence" ( bitterness; spite).
Today's word is "graith", which is an old Scottish word pronounced "greth". The "graith" of a job is the equipment, tools or the gear needed to accomplish the task at hand. It comes from Old Norse and it originally meant "to be ready; prepared".
Who has the "graith" to run the Country is up to you.
Who has the "graith" to run the Country is up to you.
October 14, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Today's word is "graith", which is an old Scottish word pronounced "greth". The "graith" of a job is the equipment, tools or the gear needed to accomplish the task at hand. It comes from Old Norse and it originally meant "to be ready; prepared".
Who has the "graith" to run the Country is up to you.
Who has the "graith" to run the Country is up to you.
Today the word is “mammothrept”, meaning: “a spoiled child” or “a person of immature judgement”.
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
October 2, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Today the word is “mammothrept”, meaning: “a spoiled child” or “a person of immature judgement”.
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
Today's word is "Heath Robinson" (or "Robinsonian"). This phrase is commonly applied to complicated, ingenious, and fantastic contraptions of machinery, etc. The reference comes from the work of W. Heath Robinson, 1872-1944). His distinctive designs and drawing, though absurd, are worth looking up.
September 30, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Today's word is "Heath Robinson" (or "Robinsonian"). This phrase is commonly applied to complicated, ingenious, and fantastic contraptions of machinery, etc. The reference comes from the work of W. Heath Robinson, 1872-1944). His distinctive designs and drawing, though absurd, are worth looking up.
Today's word is "custos morum", defined as a "guardian of morals" or a "censor". Typified by uninformed unstudied prudishness, self-righteousness, and judgemental decisions, the "custos morum" is quick to burn books, diminish arts, and silence authors, all in an attempt to protect us from ourselves.
September 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Today's word is "custos morum", defined as a "guardian of morals" or a "censor". Typified by uninformed unstudied prudishness, self-righteousness, and judgemental decisions, the "custos morum" is quick to burn books, diminish arts, and silence authors, all in an attempt to protect us from ourselves.
Today’s word is “prosopography”:
“the description of the form or personal appearance of an individual/an instance of this.”
The historian Ronald Syme focused on the study of societal groups (like knights or bishops) about whom one knows little individually but much is gleaned when taken together.
“the description of the form or personal appearance of an individual/an instance of this.”
The historian Ronald Syme focused on the study of societal groups (like knights or bishops) about whom one knows little individually but much is gleaned when taken together.
September 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Today’s word is “prosopography”:
“the description of the form or personal appearance of an individual/an instance of this.”
The historian Ronald Syme focused on the study of societal groups (like knights or bishops) about whom one knows little individually but much is gleaned when taken together.
“the description of the form or personal appearance of an individual/an instance of this.”
The historian Ronald Syme focused on the study of societal groups (like knights or bishops) about whom one knows little individually but much is gleaned when taken together.
Today's word is "moon-struck" which dates from the "Sailor's Word-book" written in 1867 by Admiral William Smyth.
Today the word means "stunned" or "surprised" (in a wondrous or magical way), but at the time of Admiral Smyth it meant "an influence imputed by the moon, by which fish spoiled".
Today the word means "stunned" or "surprised" (in a wondrous or magical way), but at the time of Admiral Smyth it meant "an influence imputed by the moon, by which fish spoiled".
September 23, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Today's word is "moon-struck" which dates from the "Sailor's Word-book" written in 1867 by Admiral William Smyth.
Today the word means "stunned" or "surprised" (in a wondrous or magical way), but at the time of Admiral Smyth it meant "an influence imputed by the moon, by which fish spoiled".
Today the word means "stunned" or "surprised" (in a wondrous or magical way), but at the time of Admiral Smyth it meant "an influence imputed by the moon, by which fish spoiled".
Today's word is "gregarian", which means: “of the common sort” or “ordinary”.
It is related to "gregarius" (“belonging to the herd”).
The practice of “collecting in flocks or companies” is referred to as "gregarianism". A soldier with the rank of Private is referred to as a "gregarian".
It is related to "gregarius" (“belonging to the herd”).
The practice of “collecting in flocks or companies” is referred to as "gregarianism". A soldier with the rank of Private is referred to as a "gregarian".
September 22, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Today's word is "gregarian", which means: “of the common sort” or “ordinary”.
It is related to "gregarius" (“belonging to the herd”).
The practice of “collecting in flocks or companies” is referred to as "gregarianism". A soldier with the rank of Private is referred to as a "gregarian".
It is related to "gregarius" (“belonging to the herd”).
The practice of “collecting in flocks or companies” is referred to as "gregarianism". A soldier with the rank of Private is referred to as a "gregarian".
Today's word is "cothish". To be "cothish", one would be “sickly or ailing” in some way. An animal is said to be "cothy" if it is “meek and/or delicate”.
“Cothe" (to faint), in the 1800s, meant “morose”. It was said the springs in New Forest would "cothe" sheep (meaning "disease their livers").
“Cothe" (to faint), in the 1800s, meant “morose”. It was said the springs in New Forest would "cothe" sheep (meaning "disease their livers").
September 20, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Today's word is "cothish". To be "cothish", one would be “sickly or ailing” in some way. An animal is said to be "cothy" if it is “meek and/or delicate”.
“Cothe" (to faint), in the 1800s, meant “morose”. It was said the springs in New Forest would "cothe" sheep (meaning "disease their livers").
“Cothe" (to faint), in the 1800s, meant “morose”. It was said the springs in New Forest would "cothe" sheep (meaning "disease their livers").