September 02 2011
Don't Be Phased
Three things of a wordy nature. The first two relate to troublesome words, while the last is an invitation to come cause some trouble with words – and numbers – in old Melbourne Town. But before we go there, let’s turn to EGREGIOUS:
1 Received an email during the week from a blog guest called Mark. He wants to know when egregious – which once meant exceptional, standing out from the flock [grex], came to mean prominent for all the wrong reasons, ie outstandingly poor? I’ve dipped into a few sauces, but can’t find an obvious moment in time. For word detectives, any clues?
2 Blog regular Nib has posted a cool link in a recent forum that deserves its own space. A few weeks ago, writing my Wordplay column, I talked about the booby traps of English – like sauce and source in that last item! [tee-hee] A site called Cracked has some hijinks with the idea. Thanks Nib.
3 Lastly a dare. Letters and Numbers is actively recruiting new contestants, and any Dabbler would be guaranteed dynamite, no question. So hit the show’s website and fill out the form. After a few breezy audition puzzles you’ll be spirited to the studio and rewarded with a dictionary – whatever happens. You may end up in the finals, with your own overnight minibar. Click here, and don’t be a chicken.
Comments
RobT — 02 September at 06:50AM
1. This secondary source says the term 'turned' in 16th century when it started to be used as irony.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=egregious
Criseyde — 02 September at 08:12AM
L&N If only .. sigh. You gotta be a polymath .. and my maths let me down. I'm amazed at the right-and-left-brained DAbblers .. and Trippers. Think there might have been one on this week? Still, can always barrack from the armchair and enjoy vicariously .. another troublesome word?
Em — 02 September at 09:11AM
1. Another link that suggests 'egregious' could still be used positively in the 1800s, but 'in this sense it is seldom applied to persons'!
http://www.wordswarm.net/dictionary/egregious.html
2. Great link Nib! I was once given copy about the GFC that used 'reign' instead of 'rain' (reading 'it never reigns but it pours'), so that one could be a three-way whammy.
3. Criseyde, give it a shot! If you usually get the conundrums, you'll ace the audition, and as long as you fire in the letters games you'll more than hold your own on the show.
— 02 September at 09:33AM
3. Would love to, and got a form a while back, but don't have the gumption.
RobT — 02 September at 10:20AM
Ha that was me on a new PC, so no ID added:
3. Would love to, and got a form a while back, but don't have the gumption.
DC — 02 September at 10:30AM
Ah, Cracked, a website almost as addictive as TVtropes. There are plenty of other articles on words, and a lot of other stuff besides.
Em — 02 September at 05:20PM
Gumption would probably win you the letters round. In both senses!
Criseyde — 02 September at 05:26PM
Em, you're very encouraging. Whataboutyouavinago? Or have you already?
Em — 02 September at 09:13PM
Yes indeed, I am the proud owner of a Macquarie Fifth Edition Dictionary signed by our illustrious blog host (and those other two).
I recommend it; it was fabulous fun.
Anthony Douglas — 02 September at 11:15PM
My wife still hasn't forgiven me for the last two TV game shows I was on...
PRS — 02 September at 11:51PM
@Criseyde - Give it a shot. I won my first round with zero points from the numbers games (and I thought that was my strength...) It's great fun, and even more so watching the creation, than the finished product. At least the finished show kept me sane for an hour each day whilst laid up in hospital last week with a gel (weak cryptic clue).
LR — 16 October at 12:42AM
Wow...
I was just composing a cryptic clue for DRAFTEE.
I came up with:
Recruit's breezy audition? (7)
Wondering whether I'd struck upon an original clue, I googled "breezy audition" and this post was one of the top results! Maybe it's a sign that I should go on Letters and Numbers.
DA2 — 16 October at 08:01AM
Can't vouch for all comers, but every Dabbler would waltz onto the show - and have fun. Now's a good time as well with Series 5 in progress.
RobT — 16 October at 09:16AM
Is there a secret Dabbler handshake?
RobT — 16 October at 10:39AM
Edward at the commune? COOPTED