Tag: wacky words

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Wacky Wednesday: December 9

Today isn’t filled with the usual amount of wackiness. That doesn’t we can’t make a little wackier on our own. We still have many old English insults to go through for our wacky words. First is Gnashgab. This is an 18th century northern English word for someone who only ever complains. We’ve all met someone like that. For a short time, I was someone like that. I’m better now. Our next word is Gobermouch. This is an old Irish word for a nosy, prying person who likes to interfere in other people’s business. I think I used to be like that too…

We only have a couple holidays to celebrate today. First, we have National Pastry Day. Pastry is a name given to a multitude of baked goods. They are most often made with ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, butter, shortening, baking powder, and eggs. Pastries can be traced as far back as the ancient Mediterranean. Our final holiday today is Weary Willie Day. This day recognizes the art of clowning and the impact it has on our lives. This holiday was named for the character made famous by Emmett Kelly, who was born on this day in 1898. He was the first sad, down-on-his-luck clown or as I like to call it, the Hobo Clown.

So, get yourself a pastry from your favorite bakery, give some change to that Hobo Clown in your lives, and avoid the Gnashgabs and Gobermouches. Go make someone’s day a little wackier.

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Wacky Wednesday: December 2

The first Wednesday of December is a bit wackier than others. Continuing our list of old English insult words, we have one that was coined by William Shakespeare. Fustilarian could have been a variation of Fustylugs but was likely intended to mean someone who stubbornly wastes time on worthless things. It can be found in “Henry IV, Part 2.” Falstaff exclaims, “Away, you scullion! You rampallion! You fustilarian! I’ll tickle your catastrophe.” Our next word is an old Scottish word. Gillie-Wet-Foot refers to a swindling businessman, or someone who gets into debt and then flees. I think we all know someone like that.

We start our holidays with our token food holiday. Today is National Fritters Day and if you’re not familiar with the term, it’s just about anything deep fried. It could be fruit or cheese and this delicacy is found in almost every part of the world. Today is also National Mutt Day which encourages people to celebrate mixed breed dogs. Mutts get two days of the year, not only December 2, but also July 31 is National Mutt Day. National Special Education Day celebrates the anniversary of the nation’s first federal special education law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law on December 2, 1972.

They Wednesday following Thanksgiving every year is National Package Protection Day. The Wednesday after Thanksgiving reminds everyone to watch out for package theft, which becomes more and more prevalent during the holidays. Everyone has heard about people stealing Amazon packages, and it’s certain to pick up as people have gifts delivered. If you can’t always be home to watch out for packages, try asking a neighbor to hold onto it for you.

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Wacky Wednesday: November 25

Here we are with the final Wacky Wednesday of November. Can you believe it’s already Thanksgiving? It’s moving fast but I’m not complaining about 2020 being almost over. This New Year’s Eve will be quite the party – with everyone 6 feet apart and in facemasks. We have a couple more old English insults. Fopdoodle is an insignificant or foolish man. I’ve met many a fopdoodle. And Fustylugs is a woman of gross or corpulent habit. Fusty was a word for something that’s gone off or gone stale. Today I think we use the word musty.

We have a number of holidays today. Some are specific to the day before Thanksgiving such as National Jukebox Dayand Tie One on Day. The night before Thanksgiving is the busiest night of the year for bars especially in smaller towns as family has come to visit. People will listen to tunes on the jukebox and we hope they will have a designated driver. Tie One on Day is related to an earlier post of mine about Tie One on for Safety Month to prevent people from drinking and driving. Stay safe tonight when visiting family.

Our other holidays include National Play Day with Dad which began in 2019 to encourage fathers to spend time with and get to know their children. Shopping Reminder Day is self-explanatory if you know what Black Friday is. I’m excited to celebrate Blasé Day. Blasé is of French origin meaning to be indifferent or bored with life, unimpressed, as or as if from an excess of worldly pleasures. Yes, I said I’m excited to be bored and indifferent. Finally, our token food holiday is National Parfait Day. Parfait is a French word that literally means “perfect” and was originally used to describe a kind of frozen dessert beginning in 1894. 

There are many things to celebrate today and you’ve gained a couple new words to help insult family members you don’t like. I am having a one-person Thanksgiving this year. I have a 6.5 lb. chicken I’ll be roasting and preparing green bean casserole and mash potatoes. I’m gonna get my fatty on! Stay safe and have a Merry Thanksgiving.