If words are to enter men's minds and bear fruit, they must be the right words shaped cunningly to pass men's defenses and explode silently and effectually within their minds. -J.B. Phillips, writer and clergyman (1906-1982)
A scuttlebutt on the USS Constitution
The word arose from the sailors' habit of gathering around the scuttlebutt on a ship's desk. Things haven't changed much with time. Now we have watercooler gossip in modern offices.
This is how far from home we are!! And view from Q-1 at Surfer's Paradise, Gold Coast!Hi Goils!
I was up at 5:55am to find Flamin' in the living room, reading on her iPad. She and Tony had planned to go for a walk shortly after 6:00pm and when they left I logged on to Elly's computer and started to wade trhough my In-Box. After about half an hour I had a quick shower and by the time I was finished Coriandre was ready to start her ablutions. After dressing I retuned to my email and beavered away until Walkers returned. Elly and Sarge were up by then and shortly after 7:30am we made for the beach, but two or three blocks away. We drove as Elly and Tony wanted to take us for a bit of a tour after breakfast.
We made for Piccolo Espresso, a cafe owned by Robbie Mcewan, three time Tour de France Green Jersey winner. In fact, Robbie was in the restaurant, located just across the street which runs the length of the beach at this point, when we arrived, garbed in cycling lycra, his shirt emblazoned with the cafe's logo. For abvious reasons, it is a favourite for other cyclisti and there were qiite a few riders already there. Had I had the opportunity I was planning to tell Robbie that Big Molly was soon to be in Brisbane, to work on one of the cruise ships, installing a massive LED TV screen, and wondering if he might want to be Big Al's Aussie distributor for the StanchionOmetre! Perhaps domani as Piccolo is a favourite spot for Elly/Tony, particularly on weekends when they tend to have breakfast there after their beach walk.
We enjoyed a very tasty breakfast ourselves, (Avocadoe mash on sourdough toast, with sliced toamtoe, for me, washed down with a cappuccino), outside, in the warm, early morning sunshine. Even a bit of excitement when a small Staffordshire Bull Terrier somehow annoyed a Rhodesian Ridgeback, tethered to a post not far from our table and latter proceeded to chomp on the annoyee. Owners managed to separate the animals before too much damage was inflicted on one of the Terrier's ears and throat but the owner of the Ridgeback received some unwarranted criticism from a passing woman. The terrier's owner had let her dog off its leash and it approached the Ridgeback, provoking the other dog's potentially deadly response, given the relative size of the two animals. The owner of the Ridgeback made no bones about telling the passerby what he thought of her interference: "The other dog came onto my dog, (The Ridgeback was lying quietly, beforerhand, and we had seen it act exceedingly gently towards a number of other people, including two small children, as we were eating our breakfast.), so you just shut your mouth!" I am always amazed, often taken aback, depending on the circumstances, of course, by just how blunt many Australians can be. I'm not suggesting that this response was wrong, I think it was justified, but it is an example of how direct people can be in many, many social situations. Such frankness can be refreshing at times but it can also be rather unsettling and quite boorish at others.
About 9:00am we made for the cars, (Flamin' and I were riding with Tony, Elly and Cora Lee with Sarge), and drove further north through Mermaid Beach into Surfers' Paradise itself, parking across the street from Q1, an eighty story building, I think, constructed about ten years ago, with an an enclosed observation deck affording a 360 degree view of the Gold Coast and environs. Building itself also boasts a "climb", the highest outdoor climb in Australia, akin to the Harbour Bridge Climb, inasmuch as one ascends a series of ladders, starting from the observation deck and outside the skin of the building, to a walkway which is attached to a superstructure which rises above the building proper for another ten stories or more, (not sure of exact number), to the base of the tower which tops the building. Neither Sarge adn i were interested in forking over $90 although I think that this climb would have been far more of an adrenalin rush/panic inducing experience given both the height involved and the sheer openness of the stairs and walkways, clinging as they do to the exterior of the skyscraper.
After drinking in the spectacular views of the city, surrounding hills/mountains, (The Great Dividing Range, Mt Warning the highest), of the hinterland and ocean and its headlands and sand beaches curving away to the north and south, as far as the eye could see, the swimmers and surfers and suntanners but ants in the sand and water below, and snapping like paparazzi, we sat down to watch an extremely interesting and informative film which outlined how the Gold Coast came to be, touching on everything from its geological formation to its historical development into a holiday destination/surfer resort. One of the main engines of development occurred during WW II when US army personel took leave from battle here. Furthermore it really wasn't until the '60's, some time after the Melbourne Olympics in '56' when some members the US Olympic Team introduced "Malibu" boards, (lighter balsa wood construction), to the local surfing community that this sport/activity moved north, away from Sydney. The area known as South Port, (south of Brisbane), and Coolangatta was officially renamed Gold Coast in 1958. Two local residents started Billabong, cutting surfing apparel on their kitchen table. Another local woman began a line of bikinis, mimicking European trends, and started a public outcry before winning the day over the straightlaced burghers.
Back to ground level to take a quick drive out along the The Spit, a stretch of land, about 2K into the ocean at the mouth of the Broad Water River, comprised of pristine park/woodland on the south, mixed development, (hotels, marinas, surf clubs, on the north), all leased land that Tony, as an administrator in the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, oversees as part of his portfolio. Then back home, F/S and Elly to walk to the beach, Cora Lee and Tony to read while I digitated. Around 4:00pm The Goils returned, Flamin' having been dumped in the surf. Very windy on beach so they decided to forgo fighting the elements. Sarge went for a haircut and Flamin' had a shower, trying to rid her various orfices of sand!
Plan is to go out to dinner at the Currumbin Surf Club, not far from here. Am being pressured now to join the others as appis are bing served along with a Kidman Wines, Coonawarra, 2008 Cabbage, 14%! Life of an artist is difficult, surrounded as I am, by philistines. Sarge Sutherbee and his Hareem send their regards. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Hi Daddio and Aunt Jemima!!!!
Climb sounded fab, too bad Wayne would not let you spend mo money buying pics of the two of you!!!!!
Question?? Did you send in a payment on my behalf to the government for $32??? maybe you forgot you did?? when I was gonna half to pay on my taxes, wasen't it around $30. Anyway I got a letter from the tax office and it just has been kinda confusing!!
I'm off to Seattle tomorrow for the night with a bunch of girlfriends, Cody is gonna feed Mags, and was going to see Grames today but now have a tickle and cough so don't think I will, don't want to spread anything.
We have had a gorgeous Easter weekend but I have been working alot and volunteering at B & G tons so have not had anytime off :(
Applied for another events assistant position at BCIT and a contract job at VGH for events coordination, got Gaelan to help me revamp my resume/cover letter, it looks great.
Mags is sitting beside me pawing for treats!! Every morning she lays on my chest and drools on me, she is looking a little older these days, not good.
K off to vacuum and do some laundry. Love you both!!!
Chloe Alexis and grumpy Mags xxxxoooo
What did the tax letter say? Mom
Hi Grumpster and Seattle Sue!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed a wonderful Easter. Good work on volunteering front and on applications. I had heard from Gaelan, via LinkedIn, about her helping you with resume/cover letter, so that is terrific. Don't spend all of your time vacuuming. Enjoy life for once!!! Mags and the rest of us are all getting old. I did pay $30 or so, at the bank, before I realized that you were actually entitled to a refund, around $120 if I remember correctly. Did you receive about $150? Let me know as I'm curious and hope my calculations were correct on final submission of your return.
Your Mother's toes are still slightly swollen so it is a long, long recovery process. Extended walking can be quite tiring. Still, has not hampered things unduly. Had a detailed message from Toshi yesterday so Nana is currently working on our itinerary for Japan. Believe she made first booking in Kyoto last night. Have a good time in Seattle but don't exhaust yourself and come down with a nasty cold/cough/flu. Hope you can see Mom as soon as you are feeling better. How long is Cody staying? Give him our regards.
Greetings from the Gold Coast!
Hello Daniel!
Lovely to hear from you and glad you enjoy the updates. Not as readily forthcoming as I would like but Life on the Road is very busy, as you can imagine. To answer your question, we are still in Australia until May 11th when we leave for Japan. Trust you are well and not working too hard! Corinne's foot is far better but still not completely back to normal, slight swelling in toes and extended walking can be quite tiring. Still, has not hampered things unduly.
Hi Michelle!
Unfortunately, one is not allowed to take a watch, let alone a camera, on climb! Arrived here yesterday afternoon. Elly and Tony live in a gorgeous home right on a canal, bit like Venice Beach in LA or similar communities in Florida. Looking forward to exploring for next few days as although we've been to Brisbane a number of times before, we've not spent much time on the Gold Coast, more or less just passing through to the Sunshine Coast, about an hour north of city just as GC is about an hour south.
Corinne says hello and is pleased about jewelry and wine sales. She will be in touch, I gather. Time for breakfast so will say goodbye for now. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Aquitaine!
Congratulations on coming ride. We'll be back by then so hope we can connect to see how your "mission" preparation is going! I do apologize for not replying sooner, (Damned if I do, damned if I don't by many of mt email recipients!), but it has been so busy that I never seem to have a moment to sit down and write, either postcards or email! Not complaining, mind you, just explaining! Hope to have access to a desktop/laptop from time to time, for a variety of computer related reasons as WiFi is often problematic in many of the places we have been staying. Sometimes, per esempio, the download speed is about as fast as Cora Lee trying to make up her mind about which pair of shoes to buy next!
That evening, plan was to go out to dinner at the Currumbin Surf Club, not far from here. Before leaving was pressured to join the others as appis were being served along with a Kidman Wines, Coonawarra, 2008 Cabbage, 14%! Life of an artist is difficult, surrounded as I am, by philistines. Around 7:00pm we drove, (same arrangment in cars as earlier that day), south on the Pacific Highyway, Tony searching for a bank as I needed cold cash and lots of it. Passed a number of banks but they were on the other side of the highyway and at this, (much the same everywhere else, as well), point there is a metal fence dividing the road so it simply isn't possibe to cross street until you come to an intersection. According to Tony this measure was taken after numerous tourists were killed jaywalking. Cars travel at 80K and people simply misjudged their speed and width of road they had to cross.
The Currumbin Surf Club, near Coolangatta, south of Surfers' Paradise, is located on a rocky point with a gorgeous view of the ocean and one can look back at the highrises and lights of the Golf Coast, to the north. Tony mentioned that during a storm surge the waves engulf the parking lot. We noticed quite a bit of sand on the tarmac, carried there by past waves or the wind. Building itself is constructed atop the rocks so it is usually above any surges. Great spot, fairly typical of the sort of clubs of this kind that we have visited on other trips and after we had ordered our meal, Elly and I went to play the Pokies, slot machines. This is how most, if not all, such clubs fund their operations. I've never really played the slots, perhaps once when in Vegas, so just wanted to do so for a giggle. Elly was as naive as I about the operation and we had to ask people beside us how things worked. I'm sure we could have figured things out but initially we were uncertain of how betting occurs. Only one or two cent machines and we put in $1 at a time for a credit of 100. Depending on how many lines you choose, (1 through 10), your bet costs you a certain number of credits. There is some configuration which allows a win, depending on your initial choice, when you don't necesarily have all the same icons in a row. Elly actually won three times but coins don't come spilling out, rather your winnings are added to your exisitng credit, a forced way to keep you gambling and losing! (Back at the table Sarge surmised that you had to push a button to cash out and machine would give you a ticket to be redeemed somewhere else, at bar, presumably, so that you could spend your winnings celebrating!!!
We only spent $2 and since Elly only had a $2 coin I had to lend her $1 as slots don't give change. Cora Lee had fronted me the $2 in first instance so she was loser in the end! Laughing at ourselves and thanking the people who had been delighted to help "the rubes", we returned to our table to chat until food arrived. Chloe and Whjirlygig would have been proud of me as I had decided upon the Veggie Stack, egplant layered between corn tortillas, bocconcini, tomatoes and feta stuffed mushrooms, all washed down with Bundaberg Ginger Beer! Nasty Nana, for her part, ordered veal, tender calf, on a bed of pumpkin mash with bok choy. She passed along the tasty greens but licked the rest of the platter clean!!! Unfortunately, due to some mix-up in the kitchen, our food arrived before the other four platters and we had almost finished our meal before others were served. Even then, Flamin' had to send her salmon back as it was cold! Ironically. Megan, Elly's/Tony's youngest daughter, a nurse, had popped by that afternoon and she warned her parents about service and food, based on the last family outing there. They dismissed her reservations saying "We'll be right!"
As we reminded ourselves of her words we decided we'd tell her that it was one of the best meals ever and that we even received a discount on food for being from Canada, drinks were free and unlimited, plus $100 credit on the Pokies!
Back into our repsective cars to make for home, Tony able to stop at a bank along the way now that we were on the other side of the highway. Pockets stuffed with $50 bills I walked into living room and Cora lee had her hand out as she'd fronted my meal! Sarge and Tony had Bundi, (Bundaberg Dark Rum), and Coke while I opted to spike my java with same. Elly brought out more Easter chocolate and I contributed my stash: Two Bilbies, Aussie native rodent, almost like a rabbit, Ozzie equivalent of the Easter Bunny, first introduced as an alternative to Peter Rabbit, in Adelaide, a number of years ago, as fund raiser for endangered species. Felt badly as I snapped off the longish snout of my first victim but choc was delicious.
Into bed around 10:30pm to read for abit, having to close window as wind was simply howling outside, slamming doors shut inside if they were not already closed or attached to magnetic door stops which are typical in many houses here and intended to prevent such slamming from occurring. Cheers, Patrizzio!
To be continued...
Hi Grumpster and Seattle Sue!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed a wonderful Easter. Good work on volunteering front and on applications. I had heard from Gaelan, via LinkedIn, about her helping you with resume/cover letter, so that is terrific. Don't spend all of your time vacuuming. Enjoy life for once!!! Mags and the rest of us are all getting old. I did pay $30 or so, at the bank, before I realized that you were actually entitled to a refund, around $120 if I remember correctly. Did you receive about $150? Let me know as I'm curious and hope my calculations were correct on final submission of your return.
Your Mother's toes are still slightly swollen so it is a long, long recovery process. Extended walking can be quite tiring. Still, has not hampered things unduly. Had a detailed message from Toshi yesterday so Nana is currently working on our itinerary for Japan. Believe she made first booking in Kyoto last night. Have a good time in Seattle but don't exhaust yourself and come down with a nasty cold/cough/flu. Hope you can see Mom as soon as you are feeling better. How long is Cody staying? Give him our regards.
Greetings from the Gold Coast!
Hello Daniel!
Lovely to hear from you and glad you enjoy the updates. Not as readily forthcoming as I would like but Life on the Road is very busy, as you can imagine. To answer your question, we are still in Australia until May 11th when we leave for Japan. Trust you are well and not working too hard! Corinne's foot is far better but still not completely back to normal, slight swelling in toes and extended walking can be quite tiring. Still, has not hampered things unduly.
Hi Michelle!
Unfortunately, one is not allowed to take a watch, let alone a camera, on climb! Arrived here yesterday afternoon. Elly and Tony live in a gorgeous home right on a canal, bit like Venice Beach in LA or similar communities in Florida. Looking forward to exploring for next few days as although we've been to Brisbane a number of times before, we've not spent much time on the Gold Coast, more or less just passing through to the Sunshine Coast, about an hour north of city just as GC is about an hour south.
Corinne says hello and is pleased about jewelry and wine sales. She will be in touch, I gather. Time for breakfast so will say goodbye for now. Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Aquitaine!
Congratulations on coming ride. We'll be back by then so hope we can connect to see how your "mission" preparation is going! I do apologize for not replying sooner, (Damned if I do, damned if I don't by many of mt email recipients!), but it has been so busy that I never seem to have a moment to sit down and write, either postcards or email! Not complaining, mind you, just explaining! Hope to have access to a desktop/laptop from time to time, for a variety of computer related reasons as WiFi is often problematic in many of the places we have been staying. Sometimes, per esempio, the download speed is about as fast as Cora Lee trying to make up her mind about which pair of shoes to buy next!
That evening, plan was to go out to dinner at the Currumbin Surf Club, not far from here. Before leaving was pressured to join the others as appis were being served along with a Kidman Wines, Coonawarra, 2008 Cabbage, 14%! Life of an artist is difficult, surrounded as I am, by philistines. Around 7:00pm we drove, (same arrangment in cars as earlier that day), south on the Pacific Highyway, Tony searching for a bank as I needed cold cash and lots of it. Passed a number of banks but they were on the other side of the highyway and at this, (much the same everywhere else, as well), point there is a metal fence dividing the road so it simply isn't possibe to cross street until you come to an intersection. According to Tony this measure was taken after numerous tourists were killed jaywalking. Cars travel at 80K and people simply misjudged their speed and width of road they had to cross.
The Currumbin Surf Club, near Coolangatta, south of Surfers' Paradise, is located on a rocky point with a gorgeous view of the ocean and one can look back at the highrises and lights of the Golf Coast, to the north. Tony mentioned that during a storm surge the waves engulf the parking lot. We noticed quite a bit of sand on the tarmac, carried there by past waves or the wind. Building itself is constructed atop the rocks so it is usually above any surges. Great spot, fairly typical of the sort of clubs of this kind that we have visited on other trips and after we had ordered our meal, Elly and I went to play the Pokies, slot machines. This is how most, if not all, such clubs fund their operations. I've never really played the slots, perhaps once when in Vegas, so just wanted to do so for a giggle. Elly was as naive as I about the operation and we had to ask people beside us how things worked. I'm sure we could have figured things out but initially we were uncertain of how betting occurs. Only one or two cent machines and we put in $1 at a time for a credit of 100. Depending on how many lines you choose, (1 through 10), your bet costs you a certain number of credits. There is some configuration which allows a win, depending on your initial choice, when you don't necesarily have all the same icons in a row. Elly actually won three times but coins don't come spilling out, rather your winnings are added to your exisitng credit, a forced way to keep you gambling and losing! (Back at the table Sarge surmised that you had to push a button to cash out and machine would give you a ticket to be redeemed somewhere else, at bar, presumably, so that you could spend your winnings celebrating!!!
We only spent $2 and since Elly only had a $2 coin I had to lend her $1 as slots don't give change. Cora Lee had fronted me the $2 in first instance so she was loser in the end! Laughing at ourselves and thanking the people who had been delighted to help "the rubes", we returned to our table to chat until food arrived. Chloe and Whjirlygig would have been proud of me as I had decided upon the Veggie Stack, egplant layered between corn tortillas, bocconcini, tomatoes and feta stuffed mushrooms, all washed down with Bundaberg Ginger Beer! Nasty Nana, for her part, ordered veal, tender calf, on a bed of pumpkin mash with bok choy. She passed along the tasty greens but licked the rest of the platter clean!!! Unfortunately, due to some mix-up in the kitchen, our food arrived before the other four platters and we had almost finished our meal before others were served. Even then, Flamin' had to send her salmon back as it was cold! Ironically. Megan, Elly's/Tony's youngest daughter, a nurse, had popped by that afternoon and she warned her parents about service and food, based on the last family outing there. They dismissed her reservations saying "We'll be right!"
As we reminded ourselves of her words we decided we'd tell her that it was one of the best meals ever and that we even received a discount on food for being from Canada, drinks were free and unlimited, plus $100 credit on the Pokies!
Back into our repsective cars to make for home, Tony able to stop at a bank along the way now that we were on the other side of the highway. Pockets stuffed with $50 bills I walked into living room and Cora lee had her hand out as she'd fronted my meal! Sarge and Tony had Bundi, (Bundaberg Dark Rum), and Coke while I opted to spike my java with same. Elly brought out more Easter chocolate and I contributed my stash: Two Bilbies, Aussie native rodent, almost like a rabbit, Ozzie equivalent of the Easter Bunny, first introduced as an alternative to Peter Rabbit, in Adelaide, a number of years ago, as fund raiser for endangered species. Felt badly as I snapped off the longish snout of my first victim but choc was delicious.
Into bed around 10:30pm to read for abit, having to close window as wind was simply howling outside, slamming doors shut inside if they were not already closed or attached to magnetic door stops which are typical in many houses here and intended to prevent such slamming from occurring. Cheers, Patrizzio!
To be continued...
Hi Patrice,
Glad to hear all is well and you're having a great time, pretty hard not too
down there from what I've seen. beautiful climate, good wine, amazing
beaches with the bikini clad or not fit young ladies prancing about...ahhh.
Anyway where were we? ah yes you're right I am working more than I would
like but the silver lining is it cannot go beyond June as that is when the
show ends and I actually making some good money so I will be able to take
the rest of the summer off and enjoy myself. As much as the business can
drive me crazy it is great to get back and see a bunch of great people that
I missed and I've had carte blanche in designing a couple of really cool
gags and spend lot's of money.
The looming Australia trip is in jeopardy right now as our Visa applications
are mired in the bureaucracy of the the Australian high commission in
Ottawa. they do not seem to have any sense of urgency and are ignoring calls
and emails to see what's going on. I was scheduled to leave Saturday the
14th but no Visa no travel so we'll see what happens. The situation is even
worse for my U.S.
associates as there applications are languishing in Washington D.C. with no
word and they were supposed to leave today. Seems the Australian Government
has decided to clamp down big time and caused a bunch more red tape to work
down there, even though we are doing the same thing we have for three other
jobs previously down there and are getting paid by a U.S. company. quite
painful unfortunately. I have to run to work now but keep having fun and
I'll keep you posted as to what my travel plans are.
Cheers, Al
Hi Patrick. Thank you for your informative email. I was positively intoxicated by the time I had finished reading it and I hadn't touched a drop! The wine sounded fab as did the meals! Appears you are having a great time in the Australian summer. We had Marnie, Antony and Tristan here for the Easter weekend. As well as whistler the dog of course. It was lovely to see our grandson again. He is certainly growing and we see a big difference every time we see him. The weather was generally kind and we spent many hours on the beach and walking. Stopping into various pubs along the way! The troop left today to drive back to Southampton. We now do washing and cleaning for the next couple of days. How exciting! Whistler is a lovely dog but he does drag the mud and sand in after his walks! Pig on the street have had great coverage in the Vancouver papers and tv. They are now looking forward to their first day on may 1st in their terrific downtown location. Fingers crossed that they will sell lots of piggies! Wish we could be there for there first day. Krissy and Chloe were having a "girly date" last week (krissy's description) since they hadn't seen each other for a while.
Hope your holiday continues well. Happy tasting! Are you missing your bike?!
Best wishes to your lovely wife. Gayle also sends her best wishes. Derek
P,
I thought you might enjoy adding these words (below) to you travel lexicon.
Snirt may not be of much use down under but I can see jabbled getting a lot
of use.
Thanks for the update on the travelling road show. When are you guys going
to have some fun?
The gals send fond regards.
Be well, W
1. whoopensocker (n.), Wisconsin
You know when something's wonderfully unique, but the words "wonderful" and
"unique" don't quite cut it? That's why the Wisconsinites invented
whoopensocker, which can refer to anything extraordinary of its kind-from a
sweet dance move to a knee-melting kiss.
2. snirt (n.), Upper Midwest
A gem of a portmanteau, this word means exactly what it sounds like: a
mixture of windblown snow and dirt. Also, for your linguistic pleasure, try
out the adjective version: snirty.
3. slug (n. or v.), Washington, D.C.
In addition to describing that shell-less snail-looking creature, a "slug"
describes a traveler who hitches a ride with someone who needs passengers in
order to use a High Occupancy Vehicle lane. The verb form, "to slug," refers
to the act of commuting in that manner. In New Hampshire, to gee-buck means
something similar: to hitch a ride on the back of someone else's sleigh.
4. wapatuli, (n.), Wisconsin
Nearly everyone who has been to college in America has either concocted, or
been an unfortunate victim of, wapatuli: a homemade alcoholic drink with any
combination of hard liquors or other beverages-Mountain Dew, white wine and
vodka, anyone? A wapatuli can also refer to the occasion at which that
jungle juice is consumed.
In Kentucky, the (perhaps more onomatopoeically correct) word for terrible
liquor is splo, while in the mid-Atlantic, whiskey-especially the moonshine
variety-is ratgut.
5. arsle (v.), Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas
Depending on the state, this word can mean a few things-to fidget, to back
out of a place or situation, or to loaf around restlessly-pretty much all of
which describe my activities on an average Sunday afternoon. (In Maine,
instead of arsling, I might putty around, and in Vermont, I'd pestle around,
but either way, it still means not a whole lot is getting done.)
6. jabble (v.), Virginia
You know when you're standing at your front door rifling through your purse
for fifteen minutes because you can't find your keys again? That's because
all the stuff in your purse got all jabbled up. This fantastic little word
means "to shake up or mix," but it can also be used less literally, meaning
"to confuse or to befuddle."
7. sneetered (v.), Kentucky
If you've ever been hoodwinked, duped, swindled, fleeced or scammed, you
done been sneetered. The noun version, sniter, refers to that treacherous
person responsible for your unfortunate sneetering. Also see snollygoster, a
shameless, unscrupulous person, especially a politician.
8. slatchy (adj.), Nantucket
This lovely little word describes the sky during a fleeting moment of
sunshine or blue sky in the middle of a storm. The noun version, slatch,
refers to that moment itself.
9. snoopy (adj.), Maryland, Pennsylvania
A more interesting way of saying someone's picky, especially with regards to
food.
10. arky (adj.), Virginia
This word refers to Noah's Ark, not to Arkansas, so if someone calls your
style arky-old-fashioned, or out of style-you can accuse them of being an
anti-antediluvianite. (Which, full disclosure, is not technically a word,
but should you ever actually employ such a comeback, you will win like a
million gold stars in Nerdland.)
11. faunch (v.), South Midlands, West
Meaning to rant, rave or rage, this fairly well describes what many
Americans have been doing while watching cable news. (Also, try out the
phrase, faunching angry, when describing the guy whose parking spot you just
snaked.)
12. chinchy (adj.), South, South Midlands
Not as direct as "cheap," and less erudite than "parsimonious," this useful
word perfectly describes your stingy friend who never chips in for gas.
13. larruping (adv.), Oklahoma, South Midlands
You know when food tastes so freakin' delicious, but "yummy," "scrumptious"
and "tasty" just don't do it justice? That'd be a good time to break out
this fabulous word, used most often in the phrase "larruping good."
14. mizzle-witted (adj.), South
This satisfyingly Dickensian word means "mentally dull," but depending on
where you are in the country, mizzle can also be used as a verb meaning "to
confuse," "to depart in haste" or "to abscond," or as a noun meaning, "a
very fine or misty rain." So, if you were a mizzle-witted burglar, you might
break into a house, get mizzled, trip the alarm, and then mizzle with your
loot into the mizzle. Sans raincoat.
15. burk (v.), Georgia, South
More fun than the word "vomit" and more polite than the word "fart," this
utilitarian verb describes both activities. Just be happy that if you're in
West Virginia, you don't get the skitters-an Appalachian version of
Montezuma's revenge.
16. snuggy (n.) Iowa, Midlands
Those of us who grew up with older brothers are intimately familiar with
what it is to suffer from a snuggy-a friendlier word for a wedgie.
17. jasm (n.), Connecticut
Meaning "intense energy or vitality," the sentence provided in the
dictionary was so good, I wanted to share it with you all, too: "If you'll
take thunder and lightening, and a steamboat and a buzz-saw, and mix 'em up,
and out 'em into a woman, that's jasm."
18. mug-up (n.), Alaska
When Alaskans take a break from work, grab a pastry or a cup of joe, and
gaze out at Russia, they're enjoying a "mug-up"-their version of a coffee
break.
19. bufflehead (n.), Pennsylvania (mountains)
You would have to be a real bufflehead if you didn't think this word,
meaning a fool or idiot, is not an awesome insult. Also, for your
consideration, the related adjective buffle-brained.
Hi Patrick and Cora lee'
Hope this finds you both well, we are thinking of coming to Canada in
September and were wondering if you would be in town at that time.
It would be nice to see you both and catch up, we will be in Vancouver
for a couple of weeks, so pls let us know your availability. Luv Bev
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