Shank's mare

Scot LaFaive scotlafaive at GMAIL.COM
Thu Jan 17 17:58:19 UTC 2008


>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 can't tell what's real anymore!!

Scot



On Jan 17, 2008 10:56 AM, David Donnell <David.Donnell at earthlink.net> wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       David Donnell <David.Donnell at EARTHLINK.NET>
> Subject:      Re: Shank's mare
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> 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
> >-----------------------
> >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
> >>-----------------------
> >>  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.
> >>  http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
> >>
> >>
> >>  ------------------------------------------------------------
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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
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------
> >The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
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> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
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