The Deeper Meaning of Liff - Douglas Adams [1]
ZH: like the “s” in “measure” or the French “j” in “je suis” Double consonants (bb, ff, ll, ss, etc.) are used where single ones might be ambiguous. They have no other meaning
A
Aalst (ay-AY-1st) n.
One who changes his name to be nearer the front.
Aasleagh (AHS-li-ukh) n.
A liqueur made only for drinking at the end of a revoltingly long bottle party when all the drinkable drink has been drunk.
Abalemma (AB-a-LEM-mah) n.
The agonizing situation in which there is only one possible decision but you still can’t make it.
Aberbeeg (ab-a-BEEG) vb.
Of amateur actors, to adopt a Mexican accent when called upon to play any variety of foreigner (except Pakistanis—for whom a Welsh accent is considered sufficient).
Abercrave (ab-a-KRAYV) vb.
To desire strongly to swing from the pole on the footplate of a San Francisco cable car.
Abert (a-BERT) vb.
To change a baby’s name at the last possible moment.
Aberystwyth (ab-a-RIST-with) n.
A nostalgic yearning which is in itself more pleasant than the thing being yearned for.
Abilene (AB-a-lene) adj.
Descriptive of the pleasing coolness on the reverse side of the pillow.
Abinger (AB-bin-jer) n.
One who washes everything except the frying pan, the cheese grater and the saucepan in which the chocolate sauce has been made.
Abligo (AB-lig-goh) n.
One who prides himself on not even knowing what day of the week it is.
Aboyne (a-BOYN) vb.
To beat an expert at a game of skill by playing so appallingly that none of his clever tactics or strategies are of any use to him.
Abruzzo (a-BRUT-soh) n.
The worn patch of ground under a swing.
Absecon (AB-sek-on) n.
An annual conference held at the Dragonara Hotel, Leeds, for people who haven’t got any other conferences to go to.
Abwong (AB-wong) vb.
To bounce cheerfully on a bed.
Acklins (AK-lins) n.pl.
The old twinges you get in parts of your body when you scratch other parts.
Acle (AY-kul) n.
The rogue pin which shirtmakers conceal in a hidden fold of a new shirt. Its function is to stab you when you don the garment.
Addis Ababa (AD-is AB-ah-bah) n.
The torrent of incomprehensible gibberish which emanates from the loudspeakers on top of cars covered in stickers.
Adlestrop (AY-dul-strop) n.
The part of a suitcase which is designed to get snarled up on conveyor belts at airports. Some of the more modern adlestrop designs have a special “quick release” feature which enables the case to flip open at this point and fling your underclothes into the conveyor belt’s gearing mechanism.
Adrigole (AD-ri-gohl) n.
The centerpiece of a merry-go-round on which the man with the tickets stands unnervingly still.
Affcot (AF-kot) n.
The sort of fart you hope people will talk after.
Affpuddle (AF-pud-dul) n.
A puddle which is hidden under a pivoted paving stone. You only know it’s there when you step on the paving stone and the puddle shoots up your leg.
Ahenny (ah-HEN-nee) adj.
The way people stand when examining other people’s bookshelves.
Aigburth (AYG-berth) n.
Any piece of readily identifiable anatomy found among cooked meat.
Ainderby Quernhow (AYN-der-bee-KWERN-how) n.
One who continually bemoans the loss of the word gay to the English language, even though they had never used the word in any context at all until they started complaining that they couldn’t use it anymore.
Ainderby Steeple (AYN-der-bee-STEE-pul) n.
One who asks you a question with the apparent motive of wanting to hear your answer, but who cuts short your opening sentence by leaning forward and saying, “And I’ll tell you why I ask…” and then talking solidly for the next hour.
Ainsworth (AYNZ-werth) n.
The length of time it takes to get served in a camera shop. Hence, also, how long we will have to wait for the abolition of income tax or the Second Coming.
Aird of Sleat (AYRD-uv-SLEET) n.
(Archaic) Ancient Scottish curse placed from afar on the stretch of land now occupied by Heathrow Airport.
Aith (AYTH) n.
The single bristle that sticks out sideways on a cheap paintbrush.
Albacete (AL-ba-seet) n.
A single surprisingly long