Siriasis

Siriasis is actually sunstroke. We're more likely to be prone to it down here in the southern hemisphere at the moment - although today's weather was pretty changeable. The garden was pleased of the rain though. Shari's entry was the favourite with the voters this time. Great work Shari.

Rictus

A rictus is the gape of an open mouth. Who knew that? Not me, that's for sure. However, mine's a rictus as I'm up so late watching Titanic on the telly. There was a tie on the voting poll between Sophie 8 and Habermans Habits. Well done, both of you.

Gnomon

The gnomon is the bit on a sun dial which shows the time by casting a shadow. So there you go. Another fascinating piece of information. I very much enjoyed the meanings on the blog today and agree with the voters who picked Sara's as the winning entry. Well done, Sara.

Bathybius

Bathybius isn't something you want in your bath at all. It's a slimy gelatinous substance dredged from the bottom of the ocean. Not sure why anyone would bother dredging it up or even giving it a name, but there you go. The dictionary's a bit like that. Anyway, there were some very creative meanings on the blog today and I'm happy to say that Madame C was the pick of the voters. Well done, Madame C.

Caprification

Caprification is actually nothing to do with caps or hats, funnily enough. It's far more interesting. Caprification is making figs ripen more quickly by subjecting them to the puncture of wild fig gall insects. Make sense to anyone? So there you go. It's holiday time and we're still learning something new. Sonnjea's meaning was chosen by the voters today. It was a close race though - even stevens right up to the last vote. Well done, Sonnjea.

Bastinado

Bastinado is terrible! It's punishment done by caning the soles of the feet! That's a word none of us needs to know, I'm sure. Albow's reference to pig dancing was a hit with the voters. Well done, Albow.

Nodosity

Nodosity is actually another word for knottiness. Now that's a useful word if you're into wowing your friends and co-workers. My daughter and I are both long haired blondes so nodosity is a constant companion. Sara's meaning won the day with the voters. Congratulations Sara.

Didapper

A didapper is a small diving waterfowl. There were some very intriguing entries on the blog and Floribunda's was the pick of the voters. I liked it too, Floribunda. Thanks for taking time out from your busy schedules everyone.

Uliginose

Uliginose means growing in muddy places. Not sure what actually does grow in muddy places but whatever it is, it's probably not that palatable. Perhaps someone could enlighten me. Molly Malone's entry was the favourite with the voters. Well done, Molly. Great to have you back on the blog.

Wentletrap

A wentletrap is actually a shellfish. It has a spiral shell with many whorls. I enjoyed reading the meanings on the blog today. Little Rhody's entry was voted the best. Well done and Merry Christmas Little Rhody.

Guddle

To guddle is to catch fish by hand by groping under stones and along stream banks. Sounds tricky. Floribunda was the favourite with the voters today. Well done, Floribunda. Enjoy the holiday season.

Ullage

Ullage is the correct word to describe the amount by which a container falls short of being full. So I suppose negative people look at the ullage instead of the liquid in a glass. I hope that makes sense to those reading. If not, I apologise. The voters chose Katy.did's invented meaning as the fave of the day. Katy.did well!

Testudinarious

Testudinarious describes the mottley red, black and yellow look of a tortoiseshell. We had a wonderfully friendly testudinarious kitten once. Unfortunately, she met a very sad end. On a brighter note, two clever word imps were equal first in today's poll. Congratulations to Jude and Yours Truly B.

Tabefaction

Tabefaction is actually emaciation caused by disease. So quite the opposite of what some word imps were thinking. Another great round of entries today. Thanks for your commitment this close to Christmas. I'm impressed. Voting was quite evenly spread between my three faves but Vicki B snuck in by a whisker. Congrats, Vicki B.

Plastron

Plastron is certainly an interesting word. It describes a variety of breast plates ranging from the chest piece on a suit of armour to the padded vest worn by fencers. It can even describe a woman's bodice. Another fabulous fact to be filed away for future use. I thought today's entries were all outstanding and Margie wowed the voters with her effort. Well done again, Margie.

Macula

A macula is really a dark permanent spot as in a spot on the sun, in a mineral or on the skin. Now I know. However, John suggested something much more interesting - if slightly unsavoury. And the voters liked it, so he's the winner for today. Well done, John.

Just a note about comments

I notice some people have been having trouble commenting in the last few weeks. I think it's a problem that could be explained by the following comment that I cut and pasted from the help section. Hope this is useful: Logging in with an old Blogger account to post a comment on the new Blogger is giving a “please try again later” error. Until we fix this, it may work to log in first at http://www.blogger.com/login.g, and then go to the comments page on the new version of Blogger in beta. — latest update on Thursday, December 14, 2006

Knittle

A knittle is a nautical term for a small line made of yarn. I think another definition of knittle could be a little gremlin who makes it hard for some would-be commenters to add their entries onto this blog. If you're having trouble, all I can say is keep trying, or do it anonymously like Shari did and include your name in the meaning. In fact, speaking of Shari, her inventive meaning was the favourite with voters. Good work, Shari.

Duniwassal

A duniwassal is a Scottish highland gentleman of secondary rank. I was pleased that Sara's entry won as it made me laugh out loud when I read it and I often thought about it during the day. It's a scenario I'm sure most parents can relate to. Thanks for that Sara and well done!

Animadvert

Animadverting is actually commenting unfavourably about something or someone. So basically, being highly critical. For those wishing to use animadvert in a sentence (she said, not expecting a rush from the crowd) the word is usually followed by "on". Hope that helps. I think I'll just stick to criticising. It seems a lot simpler. For the first time, all three voters on the poll received the same number of votes. So congratulations to Meg4Meg, Kathy and Vicki B who are all winners today. Well done, you three.

Crepitate

To crepitate is actually to make a crackling sound. Apparently, it also describes the action some beetles perform when they emit a shot of pungent fluid. Fortunately, I haven't witnessed such crepitation. I enjoyed the meanings of all the inventive bloggers out there, especially the winning entry by Angelfeet. It conjured up a particularly funny picture for me. Not in the slightest bit gory either.

Vang

Okay. So vang is a nautical term which will probably only make sense to the nautically minded. Vangs are the guy ropes that go from the end of the gaff to the deck. Any the wiser? Again, the blog meanings seemed far more interesting. Gregory's acronym was the favourite with the voters. Good thinking, Gregory!

Whimbrel

A whimbrel is actually a greyish brown wading bird with a white streaked breast. There was a good range of meanings on the blog and Reese came out tops today. Her description of a whimbrel as a person who whistles at the slightest provocation was delightful. Thanks, Reese.

Wassail

Wassail is all about drinking and making merry on festive occasions. Some of you were well aware of that. Maybe it's the time of year. I guess I can blame my non-drinker status for never having come across wassail before. Interesting pronunciation too. It seems to be either "woesil" or "waysil". Some interesting meanings made their way to the blog, with the voters choosing Haberman's Habits this time. Congratulations!

Dragonnade

Dragonnades were persecutions of Protestants under Louis XIV. Not sure how gruesome they were, but I decided not to go into too much detail. Thanks for an interesting selection of meanings for this word today. The voters decided Sonnjea B was the favourite today. Well done again Sonnjea.

Hellebore

Hellebore are various ancient plants believed to provide a cure for madness. Interesting. Not so many word imps today, but there may have been some trouble with comments and blogging. Shari and Sonnjea B share the honours on the voting poll today. Well done, ladies.

Specktioneer

A specktioneer is really a whaling term. It's the title give to the chief harpoon flinger. Not my cup of tea at all, but an interesting word nevertheless. I was relieved that so many word imps managed to think laterally and find lots of different meanings for specktioneer. I'm pleased to say the voters picked my favourite again. I must be on track. Vicki B takes the honours today. Excellent work!

Tabaret

Tabaret actually describes a type of upholstery fabric with alternating stripes of satin and watered silk. Presumably that will mean something to some of the word imps out there. Frankly, I'm not really any the wiser. My favourite entry was devised by Shari who was also the favourite in the voting. I loved her description of a tabaret as a tabby cat get together. Reminded me of a gorgeous picture book called Fred. If you haven't seen it yet Shari, seek it out.

Spillikin

Funnily enough, spillikins are splinters of wood or bone that are used for games. Perhaps named because they're easy to spill? Not sure. Anyway, I'll remember that word next time I'm playing crib. Your invented meanings all made me smile, as always. The one that made me smile most was written by Margie, who was also the favourite amongst the voters. The spot of food which finds its way to my top when I'm eating will forever more be known as a spillikin thanks to you, Margie.

Penannular

The dictionary meaning of pennanular is "almost ring-like" which actually doesn't help a lot. I think I'll stick with made up meanings for words. It seems a lot simpler and far more interesting. Eve's Lungs invented the meaning which gained the most votes. Well done!

Cerumen

Cerumen is the correct term for ear wax. Voters chose the invented meaning of Meg4Meg - a first time winner! Well done, Meg4Meg. Hope you like it enough to keep coming back.

Gamp

A gamp is actually a large untidy umbrella which got its name from a character in Charles Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit. The meaning offered by Sonnjea B was the favourite among voters today. I liked it too. Good to have you back, Sonnjea.