I don’t know if it’s my age or because I have to write a column every week, but sometimes I can’t find the right words. Or worse, I realize I’ve used the same word three times in a paragraph. Sure, I was ‘happy,’ but certainly I can come up with a better way of saying it. So I love it when I run across underused words. A friend sent me a list recently, and I’m sure you see them on your Facebook feed or in magazine articles. Some are so good that we need to start using them now. I’ve always wanted to be a trendsetter. Will you help me? Slugabed (noun) – a lazy person who stays in bed late. We could call this person a loafer or a layabout, but slugabed is so much better. This word perfectly describes me! To be honest, I love my bed. It is the most comfortable place in the house, and if I could conduct all of my business in my PJs from under the covers, I would.
Lanspresado (noun) – a person who never has any money or always ‘forgets’ his wallet. We all have that friend: When the check comes, he checks his pocket and exclaims, “Oh no! I guess I left my wallet on the dresser.” Next thing you know, you are covering the entire bill. Though, with the invention of Apple Pay and Venmo, it is almost impossible to pull off this trick anymore. So start using this word now before it’s too late!
Snollygoster (noun) – a shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician. I know, I know, I should not bring up politics in this column, but I must say, if someone used this as an insult in a political ad, I would totally consider voting for him, regardless of his party or platform.
Philogrobolized (adjective) – hung over but refusing to admit you had a drink. I didn’t even know a word existed for this condition. I thought you were just a liar when you did this, but now I know differently! Oh, how I wish I had heard about this word in my youth. Frobly-mobly (adjective) – indifferently well. How many times a day does someone ask you, “How are you?” and you respond, “Fine”? Not anymore. From now on, you are frobly-mobly. I really think this word could take off around here if we make the effort. I can see T-shirts with the phrase: ‘St. Louis is so much more than frobly-mobly.’ OK, I need to work on the tagline, but you get it.
Fudgel (verb) – to pretend you’re working when you’re not. We’ve all done it. You’ve probably done it today. There are times when you just need a break. You check out Instagram or see what’s new on Huffington Post, but you act as if you are deep in thought or reading an article on an important topic from The New York Times. Twattling (verb) – idle talking, chattering. No one wants to be accused of gossiping even though most of us love to dish a little dirt. Twattling sounds pretty darn harmless, though saying the word gives me the same reaction as saying ‘moist.’ Try it. Let me know if it works for you.
So will you help me reintroduce these words into our vocabulary? I can’t promise you any sort of compensation, but I can assure you some quizzical looks from everyone who hears them.
Contact Patty at phannum@townandstyle.com.
