The Oldie comp: Definitions by 10th January
 

I can't say I remember this type of thing in The Oldie comp before. Some of The Washington Post-ers are good at this kind of thing (Roger, for instance!) and it does look like fun, so the best of luck with it.

Jayne

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxThe Oldie Competitionxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxby Tessa Castro

COMPETITION NO 172

In 2013 there was much unseemly interest in the new word ‘twerk’. Without limiting yourself to low meanings, please provide a snappy new definition and a sentence exemplifying the new meaning for each of these words: booly, jaunce, tytyfer, maumy, pronk, looper, raffinose, hendship. Maximum 160 words.

Entries to ‘Competition No 172’ by post (The Oldie, 65 Newman Street, London W1T 3EG), fax (020 7436 8804) or email (comps@theoldie.co.uk) by 10 January 2014.

Uxbridge English Dictionary!

[groan ...]

Is 'raffi nose' intended to be 2 words? 'Raffinose' exists.

Well. I suppose
A raffi nose
Is what you smell your farts with;
A mention of sprouts
To quell our doubts
Is the kick that Christmas starts with.

(Bah! Humbug...)

I think two words, Bazza. A lot of the words exist, but I suppose they want something different.

As they specify a snappy NEW definition, i.e a subjective, fanciful one that will have everyone pissing themselves with laughter as opposed to the mundane literal one to be found in the dico, all the words should exist. But why, uniquely, include a two-word phrase that semantically limits compers (already unfairly limited by some warning hint about eschewing the filth that makes this whole damn comping chore worthwhile)?

Incidentally, I did piss myself laughing at Ann's intervention. Auden writes somewhere that we all enjoy the sight of our own handwriting as we do the smell of our own farts. Not true. I hate longhand.

As you say, Bazza.

booly: abbrev. booly goy. Perhaps big goolies. Non-jewish boy with unfettered sexual urges. 'Harry Styles is a right booly.'

jaunce: portmanteau word: jump + prance + saunter. To move like a male ballet dancer. 'Harry Styles jaunces like a fairy.'

tytyfer: a ridiculously small hat worn at parties. 'Go branksom in thy tytyfer.' (Chaucer: The Reeve's Tale)

maumy: a noise like a cat or an infant trodden on inadvertently. to sing like Al Jolson. 'He maumies in lowdown bars.' (Raymond Chandler)

pronk: to dress dutch (dutch pronk: finery), to dress badly. 'Nay, Laertes, pronk not in fine array' (Shakespeare; Hamlet)

looper: pervert who hangs around outside public lavatories. 'Avaunt, thou filthy looper, get thee hence!' (Shakespeare; King John)

raffi nose: or ruffi nose: the ability to sniff out date-rape drugs. 'Give her a miss; she has a raffi nose.' (Date-Rape Diary)

hendship: (hend: sweet girl) a boatload of beautiful women. 'Behold thysse hendschyppe of popeloties!' (Chaucer; The Shipman's Tale)

I think it's actually 'looper', John.

I think those are great, John, particularly with the accompanying 'literary' references. I reckon you're on the podium.

I'm beyond impressed that a gentleman of your vintage knows who Harry Styles is.