Phrontistery – “a thinking place, from ‘phroneein’ to think.”
Here’s an early post, from way back in 2017. I was a woman of fewer (but longer) words…
Now and then, you hear of writers’ “drying up” or “burning out,” but, for one reason or another, the older I get, the more ideas arrive…Take this morning – at the early hour of 5.15, damn… there was a wide awake queue of “subjects” (animated like an excitable group of Star Trek conference devotees) suggesting a variety of, mostly, serious topics. Keen to write something in a lighter vein, with maybe a humorous slant, I patiently listened to my babbling muses, but had to refuse their, more serious, offerings. So, what to write? Sometimes, too many ideas are worse than none! They can overwhelm and leave you confused.
The very name of “Trump” (can one word/person be a cliche?) and connections left me cold; “Literary Advice” sounded like preaching – how many more tips can one suggest without boring the pants off people? Eventually, I decided to visit “The Phrontistery.” Again. For newcomers to my – lately – rare posts, The Phrontistery is a haven for words which I enjoy visiting now and then.
A Facebook friend by the name of Aurora mentioned the word CODDICOMPLE :”To travel purposefully toward an.- as yet – unknown destination,” so was quite apt for the occasion, and led me to visit the above virtual learned ‘establishment.’ (Thanks Aurora!) If you enjoy words, it’s always fun.
Quite a few intrigued…AMORETTO: “A cherub or spirit of love” (thought it came in a bottle?!), ABBOZZO: “A preliminary sketch,” Really! ABRA: “A narrow mountain pass.”” (Not to be confused with ”A Bra”: (A feminine undergarment.). The decidedly odd ACERSECOMIC: “One whose hair has never been cut!” AFTERWIL: “Locking the barn after the cows have been let out…”.(always thought it was a horse) .And, my favourite for now: ALLEMAIN: “An enormous pudding, out of which acrobats leap!” So graphic and sounds such fun! Surely, a perfect prop for the amazing Cirque du Soleil.
As expected from such a comprehensive list of words, many are archaic: more at home in a Dickensian story: Words like BANTLING: “Brat, whelp, bastard child,” BASTINADE: “To beat with stick or baton, ESPECIALLY ON THE FEET?!” Then there’s DEBLUBBERED: “Disfigured from weeping.” BICACIOUS: “Fond of drinking,” (timeless!), and last, for now, BLETHERSKATE: “Garrulous talker of nonsense.” The latter group is perfect for including in a Victorian who-dunnit! Ummm, I have an idea…
© Joy Lennick 2023
Joy Lennick 
You are such a sesquipedalian
How dare you, sir!! (In truth, I can’t find the word in either of my dictinaries.
Someone who enjoys long words!!
I like short and long words…but could only find ‘sesqui’ which, apparently, means ‘one and a half’ ?! Puzzled… Cheers.
A very bletherskatish post, Joy! Those words would make some great titles. One blogging expert suggests using unusual words to catch interest. CODDICOMPLE would be the perfect word for a travel blogger to use – or even someone who dreamed of traveling. They are so funny that “abbozzo” should use them in his/her comedic act somehow. 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting Marsha. The last word ‘Allemain’ has turned out to be a mystery…On double-checking, as I suspected, it is German but seems to have no connections with puddings or people leaping out of them?! I keep notebooks stuffed with lots of notes and comments, dictionaries, etc.,.but can find no answer!! I hate that… At least it has made me keep clearer notes and check information where I can! Cheers.
I think the only word I’d heard before is “Bletherskate,” Joy, though not quite that spelling, I think. I also enjoyed “ALLEMAIN: “An enormous pudding, out of which acrobats leap!”” I can’t believe there’s actually a word for that! A fun post, my friend. I love words.
I love old English words that are no longer in daily use. I too thought Amoretto came out of a bottle 😉
I might have to use a few of these just to befuddle readers, lol