Friday, November 24, 2006

Haruspex

I'm back from school camp - tired and happy. And I'm back with a wonderful word for your edification - or maybe just your education. Haruspex. It sounds like a friendly enough kind of word, but it has a dark side. A haruspex was an Ancient Roman priest who practised divination by inspecting animal entrails. The precursor to tea leaves one presumes. Jude's invented meaning was chosen by the voters as the best of the bunch. Well done, Jude. I like it too. And yes, I'll keep an eye out for those emails!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a tiny camera that goes on the end of a probe so you can check what's causing a blockage in a pipe.

Anonymous said...

A haruspex is a machine that Harry Potter uses to take photos of clouds and to spy on Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy.

Anonymous said...

Haruspex is the name for the type of glasses worn by Harry Potter.

Anonymous said...

An igloo made from haruroot biscuits

Anonymous said...

Haruspex is the name of a dodgy investment company, offering high returns on your money. Be warned, they will steal from you and you will never see your money again. If you get ANY emails from Haruspex, DELETE IMMEDIATELY!

Anonymous said...

Haruspex are spectacles that look really trendy, like sunglasses.

Unknown said...

They are Haru's spectacles - in short Haruspex

Unknown said...

Not an entry for Haruspex, I am going to need more time for that. But to tell you that in re-reading Pride and Prejudice, I found this exchange.....

Mr Darcy to Mr Bingly.....

"...you meant it as a sort of panygeric, of compliment to yourself..."

Do you think Jane Austin was the original Word Imp imagining the meaning to be a double from a parrallel universe?

Word Imp said...

Spooky indeed, Madame C. I love the moments of synchronicity within this game. Thanks for letting me know. I'm pressing on with a new word, but feel free to add something for haruspex if you feel inspired later.

angelfeet said...

The Haruspex is the very tippy top of Mount Harus, Kenya.

After risking life and limb scaling the sheer face of the infamous Mount Harus, Kevin reached the Haruspex and discovered a party of schoolchildren, eating their packed lunches.