Shank's mare
David Donnell
David.Donnell at EARTHLINK.NET
Thu Jan 17 16:56:55 UTC 2008
Dear all,
I have coined an original word I would like to submit to the English
Language Authorities for official recognition, a word invented to
describe a recent bad dream I had about a tryst with, let's say, a
woman I would never take home to meet mama:
"skankmare"
If someone would kindly send me the aforementioned Authorities' email
addresses it would be greatly appreciated.
(I beg your pardon, everyone!)
DD
Missourian @ NYC
>---------------------- Information from the mail header
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>Sender: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>Poster: Wilson Gray <hwgray at GMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re: Shank's mare
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Upon occasion, I've racked my brain nearly to the point of wrack and ruin.
>
>-Wilson
>
>On Jan 17, 2008 10:29 AM, Geraldine Hizer <Urqu at aol.com> wrote:
>> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
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>> Sender: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>> Poster: Geraldine Hizer <Urqu at AOL.COM>
>> Subject: Re: Shank's mare
>>
>>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> "Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:13:17 -0600
>> From: Scot LaFaive <scotlafaive at GMAIL.COM>
>> Subject: Shank's mare
>>
>> The Merriam-Webster word of the day for Jan. 16 is "shank's
>>mare." According
>> to MW it's been around at least since the 17th century. I can't check DARE,
>> but I'm mildly curious if it is or was a regionalism in the U.S.
>>Personally,
>> I had never heard of this name for one's own legs before today.
>>
>> Scot"
>>
>> I love this expression - have even used it, think it's so
>>colorful. Do a lot
>> of reading (and writing) about medieval England, and I suppose
>>'shank' would
>> also be familiar term to a butcher present-day.
>> I'm eager to hear the exchange your letter generates.
>> Another query, if I may -
>> Does one wrack one's brain, or 'rack' it? As I use the word in
>>conversation,
>> I'm spelling it 'rack', as in the medieval torture instrument...
>> I am loving this Digest:)
>> GH
>>
>>
>>
>> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
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>>
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>
>
>
>--
>All say, "How hard it is that we have to die"---a strange complaint to
>come from the mouths of people who have had to live.
>-----
> -Sam'l Clemens
>
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>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
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