Etymologically Speaking -- I Vocabularian!

.:: By Lori Lowling ::.   l  05.18.05

Warning -- neologisms are infectious! Yesterday the Boston Herald was handed to me, folded open to page 16. I was told that there may be something of interest to me in the top left corner of the spread. In a 3-inch long column headed "Word news confuzzles lingweenies", I found two of MY words in print. The blurb mentions (my favorite site) Merriam-Webster dictionary's recent request for website visitors to submit their favorite words that aren't in the dictionary. The Herald cites the top word being "ginormous" (jy-NOHR'-mus) (adj): very large, combination of gigantic & enormous: "I have a ginormous headache." -- THIS IS MY WORD! I invented this word in 1997, as well as it's cohort, another word not in the dictionary (or on the list): "hunormous" (hu-NOHR'-mus) (adj): Larger than huge and enormous: "Oh my goodness, that's hunormous!"

Being that I am a creative, I take many liberties and not only my friends and family know that I have made plenty of use and reference to these pretend words throughout the years .. When I was living in LA in 1999, I noted accidentally uttering the word "ginormous" during an informal private meeting with a NBC marketing guy.

Now, if recognizing "ginormous" weren't enough, the word "confuzzled" has made the list at number two (and used in the header as well). Though it has morphed into "confuzzled"—which Merriam-Webster dictionaries declares is a combination of confused & puzzled—I originally penned it (and use it as) "confuzzed" (con-fuzz-d) (adj): a combination of confused and fuzzy, mentally disconnected: "My allergies are acting up today, I am feeling confuzzed."

I have taken notice of those two words catching on through usage in the media (and it has been called to my attention), but and after reading the blurb, I felt a sense of pride and immediately I proceeded to the home page and typed (my favorite word) another one of MY WORDS into the search box on Merriam-Webster's site. the word I typed is "gription" (grip-sh&n) (n) : grip + traction, ability to grip:"I need new running shoes, these have lost their gription." This word has been the fuel for a lot of teasing over the years. It first flew out of my mouth in the early 90's when I was complaining to my husband that I had burned through another pair of running shoes. (Due to [leg brace-corrected] birth defects, I seem to wear my shoes out fast -- they lose their "gription"). Whew, still not a word -- It didn't come up.

I had to see this list! From the home page, I [then] clicked the lead: "Announcing Merriam-Webster's Top Ten Favorite Words (Not in The Dictionary)!". I ALMOST FELL OVER -- never imagining that number six on the list would be "gription". I had to look at it 3 times ... "Hey!!!!!!!!", I yelled! Today I was not only proud but, strangely, a bit angry -- I felt violated.

I spend a lot of my time interfacing with people ... And, writers know that words are infectious -- but I didn't ever think that my neologisms (pretend words) would be so admired. I use these words purposely, for levity, as I spend most of my time dealing with other people's bullshit [OPB & pardon my french]. And, of late, pondering and covertly combating hypocrisy & propaganda - which can be rather frustrating.) I didn't realize that my silly words were equally as infectious as the bevy of good (real) english words.

I ponder the actual degree of separation between us all (and not just Kevin Bacon - ick).

I remember a guy I used to date (a republican), he used to get so angry with me and tell me I could not, and did not need to, make up words. He told me that there are plenty of good words in the english language and that he would appreciate that I stick to them. (How anal!)

I feel vindicated. I am well aware of all the wonderful real english words to chose from and not in control of when I think a new one would more effectively communicate my point. I believe we all could afford to incorporate a bit of whimsy & joy into our personalities to help cope with the stresses of our modern lives ... It is not a lack maturity. For those of you that tease me, call me out when I play and are uncomfortable when I use these words in jest (you know who you are) I say; SNAP—You used my words too, you had to have—HA!

Soon I will begin publishing my lists of good, real, words (that should be used more often) and lists of new words (that I believe are mine). The reason I use the word "believe" is that, though I am 99.9% certain about these 4 words I have mentioned here, in the future a word that someone else infected me with may appear, accidentally. Please feel free, at any time, to send citations of proof to anything in question.

I will leave you with a new word (not in the dictionary) that I like, because it is fun. If you catch yourself using it, think of me (even consider making a donation to support this site). The word is
Farfignugel (a derivative of Farfignugen). Farfignugel (far-fig-nu-gl')(n): cash, money: "Sorry, I have no farfignugel!"