The Deeper Meaning of Liff - Douglas Adams [20]
Nokomis (noh-KOH-mis) n.
One who dresses like an ethnic minority to which they do not belong.
Nome (nohm) sfx.
Latin suffix meaning: question expecting the answer “Oh, really? How interesting.”
Nossob (NOS-ob) n.
Any word that looks as if it’s probably another word backwards but turns out not to be.
Nottage (NOT-idj) n.
The collective name for things which you find a use for immediately after you have thrown them away. For instance, your greenhouse has been cluttered up for years with a huge piece of cardboard and great fronds of gardening string. You at last decide to clear all this stuff out, and you burn it. Within twenty-four hours you will urgently need to wrap a large parcel, and suddenly remember that luckily in your greenhouse there is some cardb…
Nubbock (NUB-uk) n.
The kind of person who has to leave before a party can relax and enjoy itself.
Nuncargate (nun-KAR-gayt) adj.
Able to go on a two-week holiday with hardly any luggage.
Nundle (NUN-dul) vb.
To move a piano.
Nupend (NEW-pend) n.
The amount of small change found in the lining of an old jacket which just saves your bacon.
Nutbourne (NUT-born) n.
In a choice between two or more possible desserts, the one nobody plumps for.
Nyarling (NYAR-ling) ptcpl. vb.
Of married couples, using a term of endearment as a term of censure or reproach.
Nybster (NIB-ster) n.
The sort of person who takes the elevator to travel one floor.
O
Ocilla (oh-SILL-er) n.
The cute little circle or heart over an i used by teenage girls when writing their names.
Ockle (OK-ul) n.
An electrical switch which appears to be off in both positions.
Offleyhoo (OF-lee-HOO) adj.
Ridiculously overenthusiastic about going to the Pacific Northwest.
Offord Darcy (off-er DAR-see) n.
A gate-crasher you can’t get rid of because he’s become the life and soul of the party.
Old Cassop (OLD KAS-up) n.
Piece of caring reassurance which all parties know is completely untrue. As in “a load of…”
Ompton (OMP-ton) n.
One who has been completely outfitted at Burberry’s but is still, nevertheless, clearly from Idaho.
Osbaston (OZ-bas-ton) n.
A point made for the seventh time to somebody who insists that he knows exactly what you mean but clearly hasn’t got the faintest idea.
Oshkosh (OSH-kosh) n.
The noise made by someone who has just been grossly flattered and is trying to make light of it.
Ospringe (OS-prindj) n.
That part of a three-color ballpoint which renders it instantly useless.
Ossett (OS-et) n.
A frilly spare-toilet-roll cosy.
Ossining (OS-in-ing) ptcpl. vb.
Trying to see past the person sitting in front of you in the cinema.
Oswaldtwistle (OS-wald-TWIS-ul) n.
(Old Norse) Small brass wind instrument used for summoning Vikings to lunch when they’re off on their longships, playing.
Oswestry (OZ-wes-tree) n.
The inability to find a comfortable position to lie in bed.
Oughterby (AW-ter-bee) n.
Someone you don’t want to invite to a party but whom you know you have to as a matter of duty.
Oundle (OWN-dul) vb.
To walk along leaning sideways, with one arm hanging limp and dragging one leg behind the other. Most commonly used by actors in amateur productions of Richard III, or by people carrying a heavy suitcase in one hand.
Oystermouth (OY-ster-mowth) n.
One who can kiss and chew gum at the same time.
Ozark (O-zark) n.
One who offers to help just after all the work has been done.
P
Pabbay (PAB-ay) n.
(Fencing term) The play, or maneuver, where one swordsman leaps onto the table and pulls the battle-ax off the wall.
Pant-y-Wacco (PAN-tee WAK-oh) adj.
The final state of mind of a retired colonel before they come to take him away.
Pantperthog (pant-PERT-hog) n.
An actor whose only talent is to stay fat.
Papcastle (PAP-kah-sul) n.
Something drawn or modeled by a small child which you are supposed to know what it is.
Papigochic (PAP-ee-goh-SHEEK) n.
A middle-aged man’s overlong haircut, intended to make him look younger.
Papple (PAP-ul) vb.
To do what babies do to soup with their spoons.
Papworth Everard (PAP-werth EV-er-ard) n.