September 22, 2006

palliable

palliable  [pal-lahy-uh-buhl] –adjective 1. acceptable or agreeable to the mind because of its flexibility.
2. acceptable or agreeable because of its ability to be easily influenced or persuaded.

Coined by Dorian Speed on her blog Scrutinies.

Posted by Tim at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)

June 02, 2006

snarkasm

Coined by Fr. Rob Johansen, snarkasm combines snark and sarcasm to describe the use of snide remarks in an especially sarcastic or satirical way. Used in a sentence it might work something like this: “A diminutive and unattractive man, James’ chief weapon against his persecutors was his keen sense of snarkasm.”

Posted by Tim at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)

September 14, 2005

anominous

Originating as a brain stutter this metaplastic word seems to be a combination of anonymous and ominous. A possible definition could be: of menacing and unknown authorship.

Posted by Tim at 09:58 PM | Comments (1)

September 13, 2005

obsequiesce

Submitted by Susan Piver Browne this word, a combination of obsequious and acquiesce, began life during a conversation about apologizing anyway for something she didn’t do: “He’s so upset, I just decided to obsequiesce to the charge.”

Posted by Tim at 09:35 PM | Comments (0)

September 21, 2004

schadenfreund

Inspired by schadenfreude – a malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others – schadenfreund is the only metaplastic word the metaplasm staff has coined in a foreign language. From the german schaden (damage, harm) and freund (friend), a schadenfreund is a loser of a friend you keep hanging around because his/her life is so miserable it makes you feel good about your life.

Posted by Tim at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)

September 02, 2004

disingenerous

A combination of disingenuous and generous, this metaplastic word describes one’s actions when dining out with friends at a posh restaurant and one makes sure to be too slow in the grab for the bill and then “generously” offers to cover the tip.

Posted by Tim at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

August 13, 2004

emblemishment

This word was heard on NPR during an interview with a violinist who is known for taking liberties with the classical pieces he performs. He says the trick is to make sure his embellishments don’t turn into “emblemishments”.

Posted by Tim at 12:31 AM | Comments (0)

July 08, 2004

somewon

Beginning its life as a typo, this new word can be used to refer to a person who won a lottery, raffle or other contest and due to the fact that they aren’t you, deserves only passing acknowledgement.

Q: “Hey, who won the door prize?”
A: “I don’t know, somewon.”

Posted by Tim at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)

May 01, 2004

squirmish

Heard as a mispronounciation of skirmish. Possible definitions:

1) A minor battle fought between small gangs of worms.
2) Relating to or feeling/exhibiting signs of humiliation or embarrassment. As in “A squirmish feeling washed over James the moment the reporter asked him about the incriminating video from the hidden cameras.”

Posted by Tim at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)

spleasure

Heard on NPR by an interviewee, this metaplastic contraction appears to be a severe shortening of “it has been my pleasure” and is used as an alternate response to “You’re welcome” when presented with the phrase “Thank you”.

Posted by Tim at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)