Menology

For those who enjoy figuring out the root meaning behind words, menology is related to month. But not in a menstrual way exactly. It's related to month in a calendar way. In fact, a menology is a calendar of the Greek Church which contains biographies of saints. That beats my invented meaning hands down. Thanks for your meanings and the long wait between words. Excuses, excuses, she said. I have none. Pure laziness is my only offering. Well done to new player on the blog (or old player with new name)- Metamatician - for a great win on the poll today. Hope you return soon.

Lazaret

A lazaret is a special hospital for the diseased poor. Your meanings for lazaret were well thought out and interesting. Realityjunkie beat the opposition with her meaning. Well done, RJ.

Kickshaw

I had never heard of the word kickshaw until I found it in the dictionary yesterday. It's meaning could be useful though. My dictionary explains kickshaw as usually a derogatory term for a fancy cooked meal. Too fancy presumably. It then goes on to add the terms toy and trifle. I kind of get it. Your invented meanings were much easier to understand, clever and very enjoyable. Thanks for playing. And well done to silver_flight for a winning meaning on the poll today.

Jussive

Jussive refers to expressing a command. Nothing like as interesting as our invented meanings. Congrats to new player Ruby Rosamund for a first up win on the poll today. Great work Ruby! Keep it up. Sorry I haven't been on the blog daily, by the way. I'm doing my best to update as often as possible, and will try to be more frequent in future.

Imago

Imago is rather beautiful in reality. It's the word to describe the final stage of metamorphisis. The butterfly is a perfect example of imago. So there you have it. Our meanings were way off, but fabulous nevertheless. And I'm happy to say that Thinks! is today's poll winner. Great meaning, Thinks! That could come in handy for me.

Hyperborean

I loved my own meaning for hyperborean, but the dictionary disagrees. So here's the correct one - even though I find it quite contradictory. Firstly, it says a hyperborean is an inhabitant of the extreme north. It goes on to say it can also describe someone of a race who lives in a land of plenty - including sunshine - beyond the north wind. So there you go. In the word imp world of plenty, Madame C was today's winner on the poll. Congrats Madame C.

Gingili

Gingili is the name of an East Indian plant which produces a sweet oil of the same name. I really enjoyed your invented meanings for gingili and am very happy to announce that Hey Jude sneaked in to the winning position on the poll today. Great work HJ.

Flustra

Flustra is described in the dictionary as sea mat, which doesn't really help. It goes on to describe it as something that resembles seaweed. I kind of get the picture. I preferred your invented meanings of course, and give my wholehearted congrats to Jem who was a winner on the poll today. Well done.

Enantiomorph

Strangely enough, an enantiomorph is a mirror image - which is kind of close to one of our word imp's meanings but probably only accidentally and it's a good meaning anyway so what the heck! Well done to everyone with working through this long and tricky word. You figured out some great meanings. Top marks went to Holly Dolly who seems to be making a habit of doing well on the poll. Great job.

Digitigrade

Digitigrade is a synonym for walking on tippy toes. Fancy that! Quite fascinating really, what you learn on when you're just having a bit of fun. Of course I had a good laugh over your excellent invented meanings. Thanks for your continued support. Much appreciated and knowing you're out there helps a lot. Realityjunkie was everyone's favourite on the poll today. Well done, RJ.

Colophony

Colophony is actually quite different to the wildly imaginative ideas suggested by the equally wildly named word imps today. Colophony is a dark resin distilled from turpentine and water. My dictionary fails to explain what that dark resin is used for - and I'm happy to leave it at that. Thanks to all those who participated today and well done on the poll to Holly Dolly.

Ballyrag

To ballyrag is to indulge in horseplay and play practical jokes on people. I will try to remember that as it may come in useful. I enjoyed your invented meanings and am happy to announce realityjunkie as the top of the polls today.

Anserine

Anserine actually means silly like a goose. Weird eh? Your meanings were less silly, but lots of fun. Today's winner according to the voters was Auntibeck. Well done AB!

Yaffle

A yaffle is actually a green woodpecker. I preferred my meaning as well as those suggested by the word imps, but there's no changing it. The favourite on the poll was suggested by realityjunkie. Well done again RJ.

Wanderoo

Your meanings for wanderoo were funny and very well received. However, it's really something far more ordinary. A wanderoo is a monkey from Ceylon. That's giving away how old my dictionary is, but there you go. It was another triple win on the poll today. So congratulations to Scriptor Senex, Thinks! and silver_flight who each shared one third of the vote.

Vespertine

Posted Thursday 12 November - our 14th wedding anniversary!
Vespertine refers to anything that is done in the evening. Sounds very romantic. I shall now refer to evening time as vespertine. Mandy's invented meaning was loved by all, so well done Mandy. And thanks for your good wishes for our wedding anniversary too. It was great.

Umbles

Umbles is deer offal which is edible and - yes - if you are a long serving word imp...we have had that word before. However, it was more than two years ago so I've forgiven myself for that glitch on this one occasion. I'll try to be more diligent in future. Your meanings were outstanding and I'm happy to report a tie on today's poll between two clever cookies - Scriptor Senex and silver_flight. Well done to both of you. I couldn't choose between you either so it's a well deserved tie.

Tchick

Many of you guessed correctly that tchick is the name for a sound. The dictionary explains how to do it and says it's mostly used to direct a horse. Interesting. Your invented meanings were great and it was good to see a wide range of word imps joining us again today. The winner on the poll was the reliably hilarious Mad Fishicist. Thanks for your humour, TMF. Much appreciated.

Sockdologer

A sockdologer is a decisive argument. Not much more to be said except that I'm glad the word attracted a good number of word imps today. Well done to you all. And a very well done to our poll winner Holly Dolly.

Rochet

A rochet is a loose vestment worn mainly by bishops and abbots, according to my very knowledgeable dictionary. Your meanings for rochet were well written and well received. All three of the poll finalists scored equally, so well done to Magdalene, Auntibeck and Realityjunkie for all doing well today.

Quartan

Quartan is an illness with a fever which also includes a fit every fourth day. So, not pleasant. Thanks for your invented meanings for quartan. Lots of fun had by all and a closely fought battle on the poll was finally won by a whisker by Stephen. Well done, Stephen and the other S Men.

Pruinose

Posted Friday 6 November
Pruinose means frosted with a white powdery substance. Apparently it's a word used by natural history buffs. Not being one of those myself, I've never heard of it before. However, my famous chocolate brownie is pruinose with icing sugar. Thanks to Dancerella for a winning meaning today.

Orohippus

Orohippus is a fossil quadruped believed to be the ancestor of today's horse. Your invented meanings were imaginative and complex. Thanks for putting on the thinking caps for this one. And thanks to Lydia for a meaning which took her to the top of the poll today. Great work.

Neuroma

A neuroma is a tumour on a nerve. Sounds very painful and I hope I don't ever have to suffer from a neuroma. The word imps suggestions were all great and The Mad Fishicist has pulled the big one out of the hat this time. Good win, TMF.

Mystagogue

Well, a mystagogue actually teaches their students mystical doctrines. Your invented meanings were all great, and I'm happy to announced the Magdalene is the champ again. Great work M.

Phthisis

Phthisis isn't something you want. It's a progressive wasting disease. That said, we had some funny meanings added to the blog today and I enjoyed your contributions very much. Voting was close today but Magadelene came out tops with another great invented meaning. Keep up the great work M!

Umbelliferous

Umbelliferous describes a type of flower cluster where the stalks start from a common centre and form a flat, convex or concave surface. Apparently, parsley is a good example. I'm glad that's over. The meaning was nowhere near as exciting as the invented ones. I'll stick with you guys. Thanks also to today's winner, Lydia, for a great invented meaning.

Porbeagle

A porbeagle hasn't got anything to do with dogs, oddly enough. It's actually a mackerel shark. Now, what is a mackerel shark, you may be asking? My answer is, I have no idea - except that it's a porbeagle. That conversation isn't getting anywhere, so I'll move on. Thanks for your fascinating and well thought out meanings today. I enjoyed them all. Auntibeck streaked away on the poll with a big win today. Great work Aunti!

Frisket

A frisket is actually a metal frame used in the printing industry. It keeps the sheet of paper still while it's being printed. However, my dictionary is quite old so perhaps changes in the printing industry mean friskets aren't used any more. Winner on the poll today was realityjunkie. Great work and congratulations on your success.

Volant

Volant is a zoological term which refers to the ability to fly. Now that's a surprise. However, it's what this game is all about. Pity I won't remember that tomorrow. Your invented meanings were equally as surprising and the best - according to the voters - was Thinks! Well done you.

Thridace

Thridace is the opposite of what I thought. It's a sedative made from lettuce juice. Well, now we know. Thanks to those who took the time to visit and be creative. The voters liked the meaning suggested by Magdalene best of all. Well done Magdalene.

Stemple

Dated: Tuesday 27 October - date mucked up due to time difference and delay in bloggin due to being a soccer goalie!
Stemple is the name for the supports or steps in a mine shaft. Interesting. Your invented meanings were fun and creative, as always. Congrats to Stephen who won the hearts and votes of the other word imps with his great meaning.

Serinette

It's seldom in this game that the word and its meaning are both attractive. However, it's happened with serinette. Granted, your invented meanings were way up there. But I'm afraid the real meaning is even more lovely. Here it is: a serinette is an instrument used to teach cage birds how to sing! I never knew such a thing existed and I have no idea how to get one or how to recognise one if I saw it languishing in a second hand shop. However, now we all know. Thanks again for a great range of well thought out meanings and a bit of argy bargy between a couple of the word imps. It all adds to the flavour and colour of the day. Anyway, back to business. In a hard fought battle, Dancerella took first place on the poll today. Great work Dancerella.

Ekka

An ekka is a small Indian cart pulled by a horse or bullock. Your meanings were fun and I enjoyed the onomatopoeia very much. Thanks for visiting again and again. I appreciate your dedication and hope you enjoy the experience. And I mustn't forget to congratulate osobutterfly for a winning day on the poll.

Cantrip

A cantrip is a playful trick. Simple really. Thanks for the batch of intriguing meanings suggested for cantrip. I enjoyed them all. Congratulations to Thinks! who wowed the crowd.

Phrontistery

I'm loving this word. My brain now has a new name. It's phrontistery! That's because my wise dictionary tells me that a phrontistery is a place for thinking. It even uses the beautifully eloquent synonym "thinkery". Thanks to all the new word imps who visited today. You are all very welcome and it's good to see that one of our new visitors also won on the poll. Great work, Willimanater.

Stauroscope

A stauroscope is actually used for examining how polarised light affects crystals. Science lovers will get that. I'm still stuck on 'polarised'. Never mind. Our word imps had fun with complicated and inventive meanings for stauroscope and the voting public chose realityjunkie as today's winner. Well done again RJ!

Nescience

Nescience is the opposite of what you would think. It's the absence of knowledge. Weird! A bit like what realityjunkie suggested, but I'm sure her meaning was done in a nescient sort of way. Well done again to Holly Dolly who was the favourite on the poll again!

Protista

Okay. I'm going to have to quote my concise Oxford dictionary on this one, because I can't figure out a way to say this in my own words. Here goes: a protista is a kingdom of organised beings not distinguished as animals or plants. Despite my extensive education, I am none the wiser on what a protista actually is. But never mind, the invented meanings gave me a lot of joy and that's what matters most. Thanks for your enthusiasm and well done to a new player, Osobutterfly, for a winning entry on the poll. Fly our way again soon.

Foozle

A foozle is actually a clumsy manoevre. Or it can be a verb. You can foozle and make a complete mess of things. Quite a handy word really. Oh, sorry for my foozle. The word imps were not foozlers, though. They were on the ball in every way and none more so than Holly Dolly who cleaned up big time on today's poll. Well done, HD!

Paterfamilias

The paterfamilias is actually the head of the family. Or so says my dictionary. I enjoyed the variety of meanings suggested by the word imps and was thrilled to see some new names joining in the game too. Great stuff. And great work to realityjunkie for her winning meaning on the poll. Glad you're back!

Emunctory

One of our talented word imps nearly got this one, I presume accidentally. Emunctory is to do with nose blowing or ejecting any other waste matter from the body, apparently. Now, for something a little nicer, I enjoyed your invented meanings and am happy to announce that sliver_flight was today's winner. Excellent.

Rampion

Rampion is a bell shaped flower whose roots are used in salad. Not by me but I'm sure they're a treat for some obscure salad lovers. Perhaps some of the word imps have eaten rampion roots. Please tell. The impish meanings were well crafted, as always and, for the second day in a row, everybody loves Brian! You are the poll winner again, man! Great work.

Stumer

Dated Thursday October 15 - confusion caused again by time difference.
A stumer is not something you want. Especially not a big one. It's a counterfeit or otherwise worthless note, cheque or coin. Great to know the official name though. Perhaps I would know that already if I had taken up a career in banking. I would also probably be more wealthy. Oh well. I enjoyed your meanings for stumer and am happy to announce Brian o vretanos as the winner on the day. Go Brian.

Orfe

I was wrong, as we all knew. An orfe is not a dwarf elf. It's a kind of goldfish. Unfortunately, I can provide no further information than that. Those fishy types who also enjoy research, can find out more at their leisure. It was great to see some more new word imps in the mix today. Thanks for joining us and I hope you come back soon. One of those new word imps won on the poll too. Well done, Dawn Treader. Hope to see you again soon.

Cangue

Cangue is a bit unfortunate. It's the name for a heavy piece of wood that Chinese criminals wore around the neck. I'm hoping it's an old fashioned term, for their sake. Your meanings for cangue were great. Thanks for your commitment. Best of all was the meaning suggested by Hey Jude. In fact, Jude, I think many of us will now have the word cangue forever in our vocabulary, thanks to your well written meaning. Great work!

Ponceau

Dated Monday 12 October (confusion caused by time difference and late blogging) If I understand my dictionary correctly - which isn't always easy - ponceau is the official colour of a bright red poppy. Fascinating. Actually, that page of the dictionary is full of interesting p words, but you'll have to wait for those. I loved your inventive meanings, as always, and enjoyed the variety very much. Thinks! had a funny meaning and the voters agreed. Well done!

Storax

Oddly enough, storax is quite different indeed from any of the invented meanings of our dedicated and creative word imps. In fact, it is rather ordinary. Storax is a tree which has a vanilla scented resin named after it. Storax was used for medicine and perfume in times gone by. That aside, the invented meanings were top of the charts today. I'm impressed! We had a tie for the win again today, with Hey Jude and Sophie doing equally well. Great work ladies!

Lunkah

A lunkah is a strong Indian cigar. I loved the word impish meanings and am pleased to announce that silver_flight is the winner on today's poll. Great work everyone, though. Very funny meanings all round.

Scholium

Okay, so my dictionary reports that a scholium is actually an explanatory note in the margin of a book. I can't quite work out whether it's one scribbled in by a reader/editor or a printed one by the author. Nevertheless, you get the general idea. The poll win was a tie between the boys, Stephen and Brian o vretanos. Well done and come back soon.

Clonus

Clonus, as many of you guessed, is medical. It's a violent muscular spasm. Your meanings were intriguing, as requested, and the winner on the poll was contributed by Magdalene. Great work and thanks for being part of getting this blog back up and running.

Ochlocracy

I love this word. It's my new fave, especially with an obligatory Scottish accent. Try it and see! That's not to say it's a Scottish word, cos it's not. In fact, the real meaning of ochlocracy is mob rule. So, next time I see mob rule taking hold, I'll be able to stand, chin in hand and sagely refer to the general chaos as an ochlocracy. Thanks to my fellow word imps who offered their invented meanings. The winner on the poll was Anonymous. Well done, whoever you are.

Paragoge

Okay, firstly, I'm hopeless. At being a decent word imp that is. I do have some redeeming features. But consistency in blogging obviously isn't one of them. Call me what you will. But I'm back today and that's something. Maybe it will be the start of bigger and better things. To my trusty followers, I know you're all older and wiser, but if you're still there... Yay! I appreciate your tenacity. Anyway, back to today's word - Paragoge. The real meaning is grammatical. It's the addition of an extra letter or syllable to a word. Not sure if I can give you an example. Perhaps making paragoge spelled paragogue... We all loved the meaning invented by Mags, who's today's winner. Great work Mags and I can't wait to try out a paragoge myself!

Suzerain

A suzerain was a feudal lord. Quite boring really. Thanks for your much more interesting meanings. And many apologies once again for my lengthy absence. I will make a concerted effort to be present and make this blog something to be proud of. Love from the word imp. Oh, and congratulations to Lively Clamor for your winning meaning.