Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Ampersand Foil Shirt

This should really be titled "all I want for Christmukah".


















From Inskie, the product website:

"The ampersand tee was created by Colorcubic, a multidisciplinary design studio in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by typography, it incorporates Inksie's four brand icons in the shape of Herb Lubalin's famed ampersand."

You can purchase the ampersand tee from Inksie here.
 
(Thank you to Sandy for this!)

P.S. I want this, too. -->

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Word of the Day: Desultory

Desultory, adj.

- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order; disconnected; fitful
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random
- passing or jumping from one thing to another, especially in a fitful way; unmethodical
- occurring in a random or incidental way; haphazard

My favorite part about these definitions? How they all begin with at least a seven-word definition, followed by a semi-colon, then a one-word definition. Why not just use the one word and be done with it?

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Word of the Day: Fug

Legit, non-slang word here!

Fug, n.

1. Stale air, especially the humid, warm, ill-smelling air of a crowded room
2. Hot or suffocating atmosphere

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Word of the Day: Bally

Last slang word for a while, I promise, but I'd never read this one before.

Bally
British slang

1. damned
2. euphemism for the word bloody, as in "bloody hell"

Friday, September 17, 2010

Word of the Day: Juggernaut

Juggernaut, n.
(not to be confused with the comic book character published by Marvel Comics)
(also not to be confused with the 1974 movie, Juggernaut, starring, of all people, Richard Harris, Omar Sharif, and Anthony Hopkins)
(though both of these are based on definition #1)

1. any large, overpowering, destructive force or object
2. anything requiring blind devotion or cruel sacrifice

Now, I knew definition #1 from all those steampunk novels being published lately, but it was definition #2 I needed and was surprised by.

Whenever I think of a juggernaut, I think of this image of a Clanker (known as the Cyklop Stormwalker) from Scott Westerfeld's book Leviathan (amazing book! read about it here!), drawn by incredible artist Keith Thompson.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Word of the Day: Spruik

Continuing to add to my collection of slang words from other English-speaking countries.

Spruik, v.
Australian slang

1. to make or give an elaborate speech
2. to speak in public like a used car salesman

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Ampersand Carrying Case

Print found here.
(Thanks, Mattie)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Word of the Day: Swot

This is one of my new favorite words. I love learning new slang expressions, especially if they aren't American English. It sounds so pompous when I use them in my head in a fake accent; I can't help but laugh.

Swot, n.
British Slang

1. A student who studies assiduously, especially to the exclusion of other activities or interests
2. Grind

Possible example: "Your sister's a right swot, what?" 

Monday, September 6, 2010

Word of the Day: Abseil

Abseil, n./v.

1. to rappel
2. rope down

Friday, September 3, 2010

Word of the Day: Hyperpolyglot

Hyperpolyglot

A person who is able to speak six or more languages.

I honestly think Europeans have an advantage in reaching this status. My six years of high school/college French don't seem so super (imagine that in a French accent) right now.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Word of the Day: Nuncheon vs. Luncheon

Apparently the word "luncheon" wasn't enough - I've just discovered the word "nuncheon" is legitimate, too! I'm becoming a hobbit, collecting words that describe mealtimes.

Nuncheon

Slight refreshment, originally taken in the afternoon

Luncheon

A formal lunch, such as one held in connection with a meeting or convention of some kind

(Image is Luncheon of the Boating Party by Renoir)