Monday, November 02, 2009
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.
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Yraditionally, something is said to be umbelliferous when it has a large number of bells hanging from it, though lately the term has spread out to include other adornments.
"Did you see her ears? They were absolutely umbelliferous!"
Stephen from Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
http://stephen-has-spoken.blogspot.com/
It's harder when you know the meanings.... however...
Umbelliferous refers to someone who drives you nuts with his inability to get to the point of what he's saying. His speech is embellished by unnecessary details and lots of umming and erring.
The Weirdo can be highly umbelliferous!
Like the word "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" umbelliferous is a word you say when you don't know what to say.
Normally you would say it at the beginning of a business meeting to loosen up the tenseness of some of the people, to get them to laugh. But not so much they rise to the roof!
Umbelliferous is an elaborate display or feast of something that's usually considered low class or "trailer trash"esque. Like a big feast of Spam and Vienna sausage, if presented with flair and confidence, would be "umbelliferous." An art show of Velvet Elvis type stuff and sculptures of driftwood and jolla cactus sticks has the potential to be umbelliferous.
If you feel umbelliferous it is when you cant think of the right word for a sentence, so you use another word and then you remember you're first word once you've already said the replacement word.
An umbelliferous person is one who speaks with their mouth full emitting bits of food in all directions. Nearby diners may find extra helpings appearing on their plates. The more alert may hold up a doggy bag.
Umbelliferous is a verb describing the sound harbor seals make while resting on the shore following a night out in the sea eating squid, crustaceans, molluscs, and a variety of fish. If you stand (try to stay downwind) close while they lay sunning themselves you can hear a low umbelliferous groaning, that is somewhat melodious when they do it unison with their bretheren with varying tones determined by the fullness of their bellies!
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