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Friday, November 18, 2011

Weekly Words No.1

I thought I'd start a regular feature - the "Weekly Words" - where each week I discover interesting words and their meanings.

This weeks "Weekly Words" are: anoesis; ninnyhammer; noesis; and, slumgullion.

anoesis [an-oh-ee-sis] - noun
It means, 'a state of mind consisting of pure sensation or emotion without cognitive content'.


Of course, the opposite to Anoesis is Noesis [n•o•e•sis] - noun
1. (in Greek philosophy) the exercise of reason.
2. (In Psychology) cognition; the functioning of the intellect.


Anoesis is always a great word to know. So is ninnyhammer. Does  ninnyhammer  mean:
1. a children's mummer's parade, as in an Easter Bonnet parade, with prizes for the best hat? or,
2. a fool or simpleton; ninny?
If you knew ninnyhammer was 'a fool or simpleton; a 'ninny', then you are a very word-wise person!


Which brings us to slumgullion. Does slumgullion mean:
1. the offspring of a zebra and a donkey? or,
2. a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc?
Of course, a Zedonk is the offspring of a Zebra and a Donkey, so by definition, Slumgullion is 'a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc'.

Look out for next week's "Weekly Words".

1 comment:

Sharon said...

Nice idea, John, one can never know too many words, I may have a bit of trouble remembering them at the right time though.