It originates from the East African Kiswahili, meaning 'ancestor, parent, old person'.
I not only think it is a great word but if it were allowed in Scrabble it would be very useful!
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2 years ago
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“I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me.” - Winnie the Pooh
"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone. "When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."
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Introduction
My daughter Helen commented in November 2008 in her Blog that she was now keeping a notebook of new words that she came across during her reading. "This week I bought a lovely little leather bound book to write new words in as I read them . I've added a few from "1984", but my favourite has to be persiflage (from the French persifler) which means banter." I later discovered that my older daughter, Bryony, also kept a similar notebook.
This inspired me to create a Word blog. This will include both new words, favourite words and the origins of phrases that we commonly use. A definition and some comment, perhaps even a relevant quotation, will acompany the word or phrase.
This inspired me to create a Word blog. This will include both new words, favourite words and the origins of phrases that we commonly use. A definition and some comment, perhaps even a relevant quotation, will acompany the word or phrase.
“I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me.” - Winnie the Pooh
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January
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You are absolutely right...this would be a GREAT Scrabble word! Hubby and I are discussing the rules, as to why not(?) except it being another language.
ReplyDeleteI love to play Scrabble :o)
Jo (and the rules) won't let me have any foreign words because I know more than her. (I won't let her have specialist psychotherapy expressions because she knows more than me!!)
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