November 16, 2005

Context? We don' need no steekin' context!

Wordly fun with Eugene Volokh.

It brings to mind my co-worker who thinks A) that "prolithic" is a word, and B) that it means what "prolific" does.

But, I guess the former could be useful for describing rock promoters.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at November 16, 2005 01:44 PM
Comments

My favorite co-worker jumble -

"We have to nip this in the butt."

She now has at least one other person saying it this way - often.

If it were true, the entire University would be walking around with black and blue cheeks.

The same co-worker often uses one word thinking it is another, although I cannot currently think of any examples. I've sent her to writing classes, and in desperation *went* to one *with* her, just so I could see for myself what she was supposedly learning.
Nothing changes.

Posted by: Diane Werle at November 16, 2005 02:16 PM

That was one on Volokh's list, too! Really makes you wonder what people think.

I used to work with a guy who'd come up with crap like this all the time. One day he said he was going to a fancy party and "knock elbows" with some bigwigs.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at November 16, 2005 02:35 PM

I knew a guy in college who came up with the expression "pigment of one's imagination." I thought it was funny at the time but am somewhat relieved it didn't catch on.

Posted by: Stan at November 16, 2005 03:51 PM

I've always been fond of "pygmy of your imagination."

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at November 16, 2005 03:58 PM