"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."

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Fubsy

  
I  suspect the word fubsy is no longer acceptable in these days of political correctness.  It means plump and squat. 


The word is first recorded in Fanny Burney’s diary for April 1780 – “Her daughter, a fubsy, good-humoured..merry old maid.”  But my favourite example is from J Wilson in the early nineteenth century when he referred to “Fat and fubzy Fellows of colleges”.
Fubsy, fubzy

6 comments:

  1. Scriptor,
    You keep finding words that beg wit and word play. I have passed on a few of them to my witty playful poet friend, and I am looking forward to seeing what he will do with them. Now, the poet's delight with new words aside, I find them a lot of fun as well. To that end: if there is agastopeia, there must be agastopes. By extension, there must be aghastopia and aghastopes - your state in response to the dear and indefatigable Miss Ivy. Just wanted you to know that your distinctively quirky words are a source of fun and happy anticipation. Keep them coming!
    Take care,
    McGregor

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    1. Thanks very much. I'll try to keep them coming.

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  2. When I grew up my mother would describe folks as being "as tall as they were round". ;-)

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    1. I remember that expression, Cat. I'd long since forgotten it though so I doubt my children have. I think my parents generation were a bit more delicate - we often tend to be more blunt nowadays.

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    2. :-( Sad times are these.

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