Muffineer

A muffineer is actually a small bottle for sprinkling sugary or salty toppings on muffins. What a wonderful range of meanings on the blog today. I was excited to see so many participants but, of course, it made the job of choosing three for the poll excruciating. The winner on the poll for the day was the appropriately named Muffy M. Well done, MM.

Jobbernowl

A jobbernowl is a stupid person, colloquially speaking. There were some interesting invented meanings on the blog and two word imps share the honours according to the voting. Well done to Odalisque and Sonnjea B.

Dreamhole

A dreamhole is the name for a hole in the wall of a tower that lets in light. Thanks to those who humoured me with invented meanings for dreamhole. It was interesting to see the range of ideas and I'm pleased to announce that Sonnjea B topped the poll with her meaning. Great work, Sonnjea.

Hecatomb

Hecatomb is actually a word from ancient Greek meaning a great public sacrifice. The dictionary refers to the meaning translating from the words which mean 100 oxen. So there you go. Another piece of information that I have no guarantee of retaining. The invented meanings held a lot more intrigue for me and I particularly enjoyed the winning entry on the poll, written by Ron. Congratulations, Ron.

Squit

A squit is slang for a small insignificant person. Quite sad really. No one should be called a squit if you ask me. Lots of invented meanings for squit on the blog today. Thanks for your participation. I'm pleased to say that a new blogger, Code Cutie, is today's winner on the poll. Well done, CC.

Piliferous

Piliferous simply means having hair, particularly in the botanical sense. I was thrilled with the number and variety of meanings on the blog today. Weekends traditionally haven't been that busy on the blog, but that all changed today. Well done, everyone. Several new bloggers as well, including Code Cutie who is well named. Coolskool and Madame C were equally well favoured on the poll today. Well done to you both.

Stactometer

A stactometer is actually a tube for measuring liquid in drops. Fascinating. I think our invented meanings were a little livelier, don't you? Two winners on the poll again today - which was fair since both meanings had similarities. The honours go to Floribunda and Sonnjea B.

Frass

Frass is larvae excrement or the stuff left over by boring insects. Not sure why I seem attracted to words related to excreta lately. I'll try to make amends with the next word. Two people shared the top score on the poll today. Well done to Sara and Calie.

Bibelot

A bibelot (pronouced beblo) is a small curio or trinket. Now that could be a useful word for impressing antique dealers! The invented meanings have been judged by the voters and Belle Etoile has come up trumps again.

Spraints

Spraints is actually the official term for otter dung! Quite different entirely from the meanings invented on the blog today. But that's the way with this game. Calie's meaning was chosen by the voters on the poll. Congrats, Calie.

Polynia

Polynia is a space of open water surrounded by ice such as might be found in the Arctic Sea. I would never have guessed that in a million years, but there you go. A nice variety of meanings on the blog today, with some new entrants as well which is always encouraging. Auntibeck's meaning found favour with the voters. Well done, again Auntibeck!

Spuddling

Spuddling is actually light digging as performed by amateur gardeners such as myself - not the kind performed by most of my neighbours who - although not professional gardeners - are often found doing much more than spuddling in their gardens. I spuddled in my garden yesterday. Others toiled. The invented meanings were all very enjoyable and I'm pleased to announce that one of my favourites, from Sonnjea B, was the winner on the poll. Great work, Sonnjea.

Autarky

Autarky is self-sufficiency - quite a big leap from the invented meanings suggested by our bloggers today. I had a good laugh reading through the meanings, spelling mistakes and all. Quite a tonic! Belle Etoile was the belle of the poll today. Tres bien!

Febrifuge

Febrifuge, of course, is a medicine for reducing fever. It can also describing a cooling drink. I enjoyed the wide variety of invented meanings for today's word. It's so interesting to see how many different "takes" there can be on one word. I like analysing how bloggers came up with particular meanings. Two people tied on the poll today, which was great because I liked both meanings very much. Congratulations to Matt 23 and Calie.

Crenated

Crenated describes anything with a notched or toothed edge. The meaning suggested by Coolskool was today's winner. Congratulations, Coolskool. Yawl come back now, y'hear?

Beadledom

Beadledom is great. It's my new favourite word. The actual meaning is "stupid officiousness". So now we can actually go around accusing stupidly officious people of beadledom and they'll have no idea what we're on about! The blog meanings were cool too, of course. Sawmaster was the winner on the poll. Another first timer on the blog. Great work!

Messuage

Messuage is a legal term which describes a dwelling house with outbuildings and land. So, we were all way off beam on that one. I loved the blog meanings again. Nobody's losing the creative touch - especially not Realityjunkie who was the winner on the poll today. Good for you, RJ.

Spattee

A spattee is actually a woollen legging (or probably two) worn over shoes and stockings. The blog meanings were exceptional and the runaway winner on the poll was The Chindo. Well done, again.

Uxorious

I love this word. Uxorious means excessively fond of your wife. I'm all for that. Beats being excessively fond of someone else's wife! So girls, ask your hubby if he's feeling uxorious tonight and see what he says. I asked mine and he said, yes, but he thought it was caused by too much time in the sun! That gave me a giggle and giggles are good. The meaning suggested by Two Cents, a new blogger, came out tops on the poll. Congratulations, Two Cents.

Dipsomania

Dipsomania is a morbid craving for alcohol. Not something I have a problem with. Nor dips. I wonder what the word is for a morbid craving for chocolate! Interesting meanings on the blog today. Thanks for taking time out from your weekend to participate. Two winners delighted voters today. Congratulations to Calie and Auntibeck.

Tarantism

Tarantism is dancing mania, particularly related to a dance mania in Southern Italy among people who thought they'd been bitten by a tarantula! Creepy. Auntibeck's invented meaning was the favourite today. Good for you, Auntibeck.

Squaloid

Squaloid means "like a shark". Mmmm. Obviously, it's never too late to learn something new. Sonnjea B's invented meaning found favour with the voters. Good job, Sonnjea.

Irredentist

Interestingly, an irredentist has nothing to do with teeth. Instead, an irredentist is an advocate for the recovery of all Italian speaking districts back to Italy. That said, I have to admit that the blog meanings were more interesting - if slightly cheeky in the case of the poll winner, The Mad Fishicist. Great work again TMF.

Cryptaesthesia

Cryptaesthesia is supernormal knowledge - however, not the kind we're all gaining through our participation in this knowledge increasing blog. Cryptaesthesia is knowledge gained through telepathic or clairvoyant means. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the invented meanings added to the blog today. Winner on the poll was Hello from Julia, a meaning I enjoyed very much indeed. Thanks again, Julia.

Fosse

A fosse is a long narrow trench, ditch, canal or groove. I particularly enjoyed today's invented meanings and am pleased to report that Rainbowspirit topped the poll with her invented meaning. Great work!

Oxymel

Oxymel is a syrup of honey and vinegar. Not sure of the purpose of such a syrup. Perhaps it's a cure for sunburn or hangovers - both of which were prevalent at the Wellington Rugby Sevens tournament I've just been visiting. See my other blog for more information about that. And I've noticed that, while mother word imp was away, the little word imps did play - literally. Joint winners on the poll were Madame C and Realityjunkie. Well done, both of you.