Sofie's Words of the Week #5

Hail and well met! I have returned once more to grace your lexicons with enlivening words you may not have heard before (courtesy, as always, of the sublime Susie Dent). This week’s five words are…

Matutolypea (noun): All of us wake up on the wrong side of the bed every once in a while, and while that phrase works perfectly well, wouldn’t we all be happier with another? I know I would! Matutolypea is that morning grumpiness we all suffer from. Occasionally we implement methods to help the matutolypea subside, such as tea or coffee, or just sheer will in my case.

Matutolypea

Rantum-scantum (adj. – 17th century): Many students devolve into rantum-scantum behavior in the classroom–‘tis a natural endpoint of studentdom. It is an adjective meaning reckless, disorderly, or chaotic.

Rantum-scantum

Spuddle (verb – 17th century): It may sound like a portmanteau of spud (as in potato) and puddle (as in puddle), but in fact it is not. To spuddle along would be to work feebly and ineffectively. “I did try my best to get my homework done, but after hours of spuddling I felt I had to go to sleep!”

Spuddle

Chatoyant (adj. – French): As I may have mentioned in the past, my hatred of the French is purely theatrical, and although not necessarily as interesting as German (may I remind you of the German backpfeifengesicht), the language has many a lovely word. Chatoyant is one of those lovely words, which is mainly applicable when it comes to gemstones. Chatoyancy is the pretty effect of a band of bright light reflecting from certain cuts of stone, occasionally called a “cat’s eye effect.” Perhaps not a word for daily use (unless you’re a jeweler), it is a good one to have in one’s linguistic toolbelt. Its other meaning is of a similar quality, signifying iridescent or shimmering in a gem-like manner.

Chatoyant

Battology (noun – 17th century): Battology is not the study of bats (or of vampires); battology is the repetition of words or phrases. Battology is the repetition of ideas, words, or phrases. Battology is the repetition of ideas, words, or phrases in writing or speech. Battology is the unnecessary repetition of ideas, words, or phrases in writing or speech. Battology is the unnecessary and wearisome repetition of ideas, words, or phrases in writing or speech. (I hope you get the idea.)

Battology

Now shoo! Go forth! Run about all rantum-scantum to escape your matutolypea! Spuddle through your battology! Look at some gemstones! (Or not. I don’t control your lives.)