I came across the word ‘bimble’ in an Instagram post from sconepalnatalie and was keen to find out more about its meaning and origin.
Its meaning is to walk or stroll at a leisurely pace, possibly coming from the word, ‘bumble’. I love the idea of going for a morning bimble along the beach or through the park. That’s my kind of pace.
Please share any words you’ve come across; I’d love to hear from you in the comments box.
It’s Wordy Wednesday and I have a great word for you today.
According to Collins English Dictionary, Gubbins refers to an object of little value; a small gadget; odds and ends, or a silly person. It goes back as far as the 16th century and is derived from the obsolete word, gobbon – likely related to gobbet, meaning a small piece of food.
It’s an excellent word for describing all manner of bits and pieces there’s no other suitable word for. An example might be, “All the computer gubbins is in the drawer”.
I invite you to share your favourite, obsolete, funny or otherwise entertaining words with me.
Please share your own words in comments
Last Wordy Wednesday, I recalled my Dad using the word ‘bunkum’. This got me thinking about other words from my childhood and I remembered using the word ‘ninny’. “You ninny,” “What a ninny” – it seems such a tame word now. There’s an innocence to it, somehow, which is interesting because it means silly or foolish and probably originated from ‘an innocent’. It has been in use since the 16th century.
Do you have a word you remember from childhood? Please share it.
The week has whizzed by and it’s Wednesday again. What is your word of the day today? I’d love to hear from you.
As I was thinking about my word for this week, I recalled a word I often heard my dad say. Bunkum – what a great word that can be said with feeling. It’s a 19th century word and its origin is Buncombe, a county in North Carolina USA. Apparently Felix Walker, Buncombe’s Congressional Representative, made a particularly inane speech around 1820 and so bunkum was born. When said, it means you think something is untrue or very stupid/ inane.
I wonder, as I write this, where my dad first heard the word and why he liked it so much.
It’s Wordy Wednesday again and today’s word might give you the jitters.
Collywobbles can mean an upset stomach, or an intense sense of unease/ nervousness as in, “it gives me the collywobbles”.
In terms of British English usage, the word is thought to date back to the 19th century. Its origin is likely from the disease cholera.
I’d love to know if you have any favourite, intriguing or unusual words. Please post them in comments below.
I came across Craven in my Dictionary of English Place Names (Oxford University Press 1991). Craven, a district of North Yorkshire, is thought to be an old Celtic name meaning garlic place. This led me to ponder the meaning of craven as a word, which is very cowardly; not at all brave. It is thought to be an adaptation of the Old French cravent meaning defeated or beaten.
Language never fails to fascinate me. If you want to share a word, I’d be delighted to hear from you.
On a Tuesday morning, my partner volunteers in one of our local charity shops and often messages me to come and buy a few things. I never know what they might be but tea towels are a regular favourite – she’s a collector extraordinaire. This time, there were three items; a tea towel in a tin, a tin with teapots on it and a jigsaw.
When I got home, I studied the jigsaw and became fascinated by the word ‘Hygge’ on the front. As well as some information on the box, I headed to the visit Denmark website. Here it describes the fullness of its meaning. Hygge – pronounced hoo-gah – is about creating a warm atmosphere, enjoying the best of life with other people. They give some examples, such as the cosy glow of candlelight.
If you enjoy doing jigsaws, you probably get a sense of Hygge and the design on this one demonstrates that sense perfectly too. I think we all need more Hygge in our lives. Thank you Denmark.
Do you have a word for Wordy Wednesday? I’d love to hear your favourite word or the one that best sums up how you feel today.
In the past few weeks I’ve had many medical appointments and I’m left feeling discombobulated. Confused, a bit off kilter and out of balance perfectly describes my experience.
Said to have first been recorded in the early 1800s in the form discomboberate, it might not be a great feeling but it’s still a grand word.
It’s Wordy Wednesday again and, today, I bring you a word whose origin lies in Scotland. It’s been used in proverbs and poems, including by the famous Scottish bard, Robert Burns. It’s also, I believe, one of those words that sounds like its meaning somehow.
Crabbit – out of humour or in a bad temper. It’s a word, given my Scottish heritage, that I often heard during our many visits to Scotland when I was a child.
She’s awfy crabbit the day!
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