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.