[Jayne Osborn]

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.

[Ann Drysdale]

Uxbridge English Dictionary!

[Brian Allgar]

[groan ...]

[basil ransome-davies]

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

[Ann Drysdale]

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...)

[John Whitworth]

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

[basil ransome-davies]

Originally Posted by John Whitworth

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.