P.G. Wodehouse, vocabulary builder

[Frank R.A.J. Maloney]

I've learned a lot from reading Wodehouse, including several new words
and phrases, including:

Embrocation,

Gadroon border,

The Quorn and the Pytchley,

A nolle prosequi

Preux chavalier, and

Gruntled.


And you?

[Mike Schilling]

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading Wodehouse, including several new words
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

bally

iodoform

footer bags

[Localhostess]

Post by Mike Schilling

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading Wodehouse, including several new words
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

bally
iodoform
footer bags

What I use THE MOST is:

"oh, ah?"

Then there's always "What Ho"!

The Beak

[Ken Miner]

Post by Localhostess
Then there's always "What Ho"!

I just noticed that's Shakespearean, usually spelled "What hoa!" Measure for
Measure, III, i, 43-44: "What hoa! Peace here, grace and good company." Also
The Merry Wives of Windsor, I, i, 14.

Ken

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading Wodehouse, including several new words
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

Chausubles!

[Whatsits Galore]

I am also uncommon fond of "oh, ah?"

to which I add:

heliotrope

perisher

and gumboil

Toodle-pip,
Brainy Cove

[Wayne Brown]

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading Wodehouse, including several new words
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

Chausubles!

Oofy

Cosh

The old oil

The necessary

(I've adopted the last two myself for everyday usage.)

[Whatsits Galore]

Since reading Wodehouse, I often use "circs" for "circumstances," but I'm
not sure that qualifies as a vocabulary builder.

Brainy Cove

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Whatsits Galore
Since reading Wodehouse, I often use "circs" for "circumstances," but I'm
not sure that qualifies as a vocabulary builder.

More of a 'vocabulary abbreviator,' one might say. Quite useful.

Another entry for the list that isn't quite vocabulary--the vast
majority of the Shakespeare quotes I know, I know from the works of
the master. My wife is a theatre professional--bit of an Honoria G.
in terms of brainpower, she is, though more along the lines of Aunt
Dahlia in personality. And willpower. :-) As I say, she's a
theatre person and is occasionally surprised to hear "I could unfold
thee a tale ..." or ".. knits up the raveled sleeve of care" coming
from my lips. :-)

[Mike Schilling]

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Whatsits Galore
Since reading Wodehouse, I often use "circs" for "circumstances,"
but I'm not sure that qualifies as a vocabulary builder.

More of a 'vocabulary abbreviator,' one might say. Quite useful.
Another entry for the list that isn't quite vocabulary--the vast
majority of the Shakespeare quotes I know, I know from the works of
the master. My wife is a theatre professional--bit of an Honoria G.
in terms of brainpower, she is, though more along the lines of Aunt
Dahlia in personality. And willpower. :-) As I say, she's a
theatre person and is occasionally surprised to hear "I could unfold
thee a tale ..." or ".. knits up the raveled sleeve of care" coming
from my lips. :-)

When she quotes Shakespeare, do you award her a "Rather well put"?

[Frank R.A.J. Maloney]

Post by Mike Schilling

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Whatsits Galore
Since reading Wodehouse, I often use "circs" for "circumstances,"
but I'm not sure that qualifies as a vocabulary builder.

More of a 'vocabulary abbreviator,' one might say. Quite useful.
Another entry for the list that isn't quite vocabulary--the vast
majority of the Shakespeare quotes I know, I know from the works of
the master. My wife is a theatre professional--bit of an Honoria G.
in terms of brainpower, she is, though more along the lines of Aunt
Dahlia in personality. And willpower. :-) As I say, she's a
theatre person and is occasionally surprised to hear "I could unfold
thee a tale ..." or ".. knits up the raveled sleeve of care" coming
from my lips. :-)

When she quotes Shakespeare, do you award her a "Rather well put"?

Or, "one of your own?"

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney

Post by Mike Schilling

Post by Clyde Penquin
theatre person and is occasionally surprised to hear "I could unfold
thee a tale ..." or ".. knits up the raveled sleeve of care" coming
from my lips. :-)

When she quotes Shakespeare, do you award her a "Rather well put"?

Or, "one of your own?"

:-> Otway, as it were. :-)

My wife very rarely quotes Shakespeare--she KNOWS his works. It is
only we lowborn and poorly educated brutes who quote him. :-) I
even use the occasional Latin tag now and again, too.

--kk ("Pretentious? MOI?")

[Frank R.A.J. Maloney]

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney

Post by Mike Schilling

Post by Clyde Penquin
theatre person and is occasionally surprised to hear "I could unfold
thee a tale ..." or ".. knits up the raveled sleeve of care" coming
from my lips. :-)

When she quotes Shakespeare, do you award her a "Rather well put"?

Or, "one of your own?"

:-> Otway, as it were. :-)
My wife very rarely quotes Shakespeare--she KNOWS his works. It is only
we lowborn and poorly educated brutes who quote him. :-) I even use
the occasional Latin tag now and again, too.
--kk ("Pretentious? MOI?")

But have you ever sat on the terrace of a hotel at Cannes and had creep
over your face a look of furtive shame, a shifty, hangdog look which
announces that one is about to talk French?

[Whatsits Galore]

I also use "bung" at times, as in "bung a bread roll."

Brainy Cove

[Alan Follett]

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading
Wodehouse, including several new
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

What ho, Frank;

Well, certainly, the euphonous and most useful "rannygazoo," which may
peut-etre have been Plum's own coinage. I've even occasionally used
this in business correspondence.

Also "gamboge," a perfectly good French word which doubtless I should
have known, but didn't before encountering it (as a description of the
colour of a mess of scrambled eggs in preparation) in one of the late
novels.

Then there's much of the early 20th century technical vocabulary of
golf, which I surely would never have encountered outside of Wodehouse.
Somewhat difficult for a non-golfer to slip into conversation, though.

Ta!
Le Vicomte de Blissac

[Frank R.A.J. Maloney]

Post by Alan Follett

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading
Wodehouse, including several new
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

What ho, Frank;
Well, certainly, the euphonous and most useful "rannygazoo," which may
peut-etre have been Plum's own coinage. I've even occasionally used
this in business correspondence.
Also "gamboge," a perfectly good French word which doubtless I should
have known, but didn't before encountering it (as a description of the
colour of a mess of scrambled eggs in preparation) in one of the late
novels.
Then there's much of the early 20th century technical vocabulary of
golf, which I surely would never have encountered outside of Wodehouse.
Somewhat difficult for a non-golfer to slip into conversation, though.
Ta!
Le Vicomte de Blissac

Except possibly "foozle", which enjoys universality applicability in my
world.

[Lorrill Buyens]

On Wed, 28 May 2008 15:47:45 -0700, Temporal Voyager "Frank R.A.J. Maloney"

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
I've learned a lot from reading Wodehouse, including several new words
Embrocation,
Gadroon border,
The Quorn and the Pytchley,
A nolle prosequi
Preux chavalier, and
Gruntled.
And you?

Banjolele

Qua

Fish-slice

Practically every dish made by Anatole.

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
--
Frank in Seattle

Cordially yours,
Rosie M. Banks

[Torrance S]

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
And you?
--
Frank in Seattle
____
Frank Richard Aloysius Jude Maloney
"Millennium hand and shrimp."

mot juste

nibs

with knobs on

[Frank R.A.J. Maloney]

Post by Torrance S

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
And you?
--
Frank in Seattle
____
Frank Richard Aloysius Jude Maloney
"Millennium hand and shrimp."

mot juste
nibs
with knobs on

soup and fish (I just wore one last weekend and quite dashing I looked).

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
soup and fish (I just wore one last weekend and quite dashing I looked).

Rather oojah-cum-spiff, were you?


Must be nice. Nobody seems to like my purple socks with the yellow
frogs on them. <sigh>

[Frank R.A.J. Maloney]

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
soup and fish (I just wore one last weekend and quite dashing I looked).

Rather oojah-cum-spiff, were you?
Must be nice. Nobody seems to like my purple socks with the yellow
frogs on them. <sigh>

And your Old Etonian spats? Spiffy would hardly be the word.

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Frank R.A.J. Maloney
soup and fish (I just wore one last weekend and quite dashing I looked).

Rather oojah-cum-spiff, were you?
Must be nice.  Nobody seems to like my purple socks with the yellow
frogs on them.  <sigh>

It should perhaps be pointed out that when Pop Bassett's dressing-gown
is described as "a bright purple number with yellow frogs" in Ch. 8 of
"Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves" the frogs referred to are not the amphibia
of that name, but rather the ornate braid fastenings also favoured by
hussar regiments and the Royal Horse Artillery. HM The Queen's racing
colours are purple with yellow frogs (and red sleeves, too, which make
the ensemble even more eye-watering). My mind's eye puts its ears
back, digs in its heels and refuses to play ball when I attempt to
imagine purple socks with yellow frogs on them - would they perhaps
look a bit like yellow clocks?

I find myself using "mazard" (as in "haul back and sock the blighter
on the mazard") surprisingly often. Also "oik", though I'm not sure I
got that from Wodehouse. And greeting people with "hullo, old boy,
how's the boy?" tends to provoke the baffled look rather than the
"capital, capital, capital" one might expect.

DJR

[Ken Miner]

[...] And greeting people with "hullo, old boy,
how's the boy?" tends to provoke the baffled look rather than the
"capital, capital, capital" one might expect.

Indeed. If someone greets you with "What ho!" we know something about him or
her. Let me add that the standard greeting in E. F. Benson's Lucia series is
"Any news?" and that will give away a Benson fan. I wonder how many others
there are.

[Mike Schilling]

Post by Ken Miner
[...] And greeting people with "hullo, old boy,
how's the boy?" tends to provoke the baffled look rather than the
"capital, capital, capital" one might expect.
Indeed. If someone greets you with "What ho!" we know something about
him or her. Let me add that the standard greeting in E. F. Benson's
Lucia series is "Any news?" and that will give away a Benson fan. I
wonder how many others there are.

"Be seeing you" as a farewell may indicate a Prisoner fan.

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by d***@gmail.com

Post by Clyde Penquin
Must be nice. Nobody seems to like my purple socks with the yellow
frogs on them. <sigh>

It should perhaps be pointed out that when Pop Bassett's dressing-gown
is described as "a bright purple number with yellow frogs" in Ch. 8 of
"Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves" the frogs referred to are not the amphibia
of that name, but rather the ornate braid fastenings also favoured by
hussar regiments and the Royal Horse Artillery. HM The Queen's racing

Oh, dear. <face reddens> Yes. Quite right, yes indeed. Rem acu
tetigisti, old fellow. The socks in question were merely purple--no
suggestion of frogs, not a bit. The frogs were something else
entirely--though they are quite popular with elevator chappies even
in unadorned purple. But no frogs on the socks, not a bit of it,
you're quite right. <sigh>

I could scarcely be more embarrassed if I had been chased up a
grandfather clock by an Aberdeen terrier. <sigh>