[Misc] How many of these words do you know?

[1066familyman]

After looking up the words I didn't know, I realise that I have actually skimread this book myself, and gave it away because I was disappointed in it. I should have been interested, as the theme/topic is my job/hobby - but I couldn't get on with it.

To be fair to him though, he has also written books abut lost words and so on - so I guess there's just a bit of overspill here?

Nice sleuthing!

I know you've got the right book, because I know you work on the land in the Lake District, you lucky bugger! Everything you say about the author is spot on too.

It was bought for me, as I'm a keen nature lover and walker, but I've tried and just given up. In fact, it's technically non - fiction, which I'm generally ok with in learning lots of new words, but it reads more like fiction and I just haven't enjoyed it.

 

[Machiavelli]

3 for me.

Orcadian (helped by the fact I watched a related film the other day).

Occidental (Everyone knows that, right?)

Gnomic

The second two of yours for me. I'm intrigued if you know which book. My punt would be either David Foster Wallace or, given those names, Hilary Mantel.
Over to you.

 

[Machiavelli]

Having got to the third page of this thread, I've changed my mind and am going for James Rebanks.

 

[Badger]

This looks like a list of words Russell Brand would use in a sentence to try and sound clever. Obviously he'd have no idea what they meant either.

 

[smillie's garden]

3/10, with a couple more I would guess at. And I pride myself on my vocabulary . Everyday’s a school day though.

 

[GT49er]

Assuming Occidental was your other one?

What are the other two?

Eh? What other two? I saw four I knew, and one I thought I might have an idea about - so I looked that one up and I was wrong.

Occidental was one of the four I knew.

 

[Bakero]

Ah, I know who it is now. At first I thought they were from a novel, not a non-fiction work. I've actually got a copy of this book but haven't dipped into it.

Spoiler: Hidden the name and author in case anyone is still trying to guess

Robert McFarlane- The Old Ways

 

[smillie's garden]

Now that I’ve looked them up, I want to know if there’s ever been a mash-up of pibroch and pub rock?

 

[1066familyman]

Ah, I know who it is now. At first I thought they were from a novel, not a non-fiction work. I've actually got a copy of this book but haven't dipped into it.

My advice is.....


Don't.

 

[GT49er]

Now that I’ve looked them up, I want to know if there’s ever been a mash-up of pibroch and pub rock?

There's plenty! Although these two have progressed beyond the pub scene where they started out now!





(though strictly speaking, the pipes aren't actually playing pibrochs)

 

[Bakero]

My advice is.....


Don't.

I know all the words now so it'll be a breeze

 

[1066familyman]

I know all the words now so it'll be a breeze

Well yes, that's 4 pages of one chapter covered at least

 

[nickbrighton]

One of the advantages of reading via a kindle (i assume other ebook readers are the same) is that you can just highlight a word and get the definition almost instantly.

I was reading a book and the author used the same word several times over a chapter and although it was a very common word, in everyday use I realised that I didn't know its actual definition, in fact its happened a few times, when the sentence I was reading didnt make 100% sense

Two that spring to mind right now are congenital and incorrigible. we've all heard of congenital heart defects, or an incorrigible child but although I thought I knew what they meant, turns out I didn't (from birth, and not able to change in case you are wondering). I thought congenital meant something was really serious (medically) and an incorrigible child I just thought meant a naughty one. My definitions always made sense until they didn't!

So now I no longer just see a word and assume it means what I think, I look up if I'm not sure, or if what I think it means doesn't really follow whats been said- Its surprising the number of times I have been surprised - I dont mean everytime I read, but more often than I would have expected

 

[Triggaaar]

Without using a dictionary or looking up online.

How many of these words do you know?

I know that no one likes a smartarse, but all 16 so far.

 

[Zeberdi]

None!

I know one vaguely, that's all, but would never have been able to use it in a sentence until I looked it up.


I think I may have cocked the thread up, to be honest. It may be coming across as being a smart arse, but no, I'm not HWT or Zeberdi in disguise.
In fact, I'm trying to see if I'm the only one here that just doesn't know these words from Adam.

Not sure why I’m lumped in with @Harry Wilson's tackle as a ‘smart arse’, I have no where near his level of vocabulary and analytical skills (but I’ll take it as a compliment !)

As for your list; None of ‘em.

(Given no one likes a smart arse, I‘m relieved these were above my vocab level! )

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Not sure why I’m lumped in with @Harry Wilson's tackle as a ‘smart arse’, I have no where near his level of vocabulary and analytical skills (but I’ll take it as a compliment !)

As for your list; None of ‘em.

(Given no one likes a smart arse, I‘m relieved these were above my vocab level! )

Nobody likes false modesty
(or, indeed, expects the Spanish Inquisition)

 

[Brovion]

Without using a dictionary or looking up online.

How many of these words do you know?

By know, I mean really know, as in, could use them with ease in a sentence. Any that you've vaguely heard of, but don't really know without looking it up, don't count.

Orcadian.
Peripli.
Skaldic.
Orographic.
Occidental.

Lunulae
Faience
Pibroch
Hawser
Gnomic.

Be honest with your answers. There's no prizes on offer.

Only four, Orcadian, Occidental, Pibroch and Gnomic. Two I actually have used in sentences: "When are the Orcadians visiting?"* and "I really like Pibroch (cap in hand) by Jethro Tull"

*This assumes an Orcadian is someone from Orkney where some friends used to live. Otherwise I've been misusing it all these years!

EDIT I thought Hawser was a rope but I wasn't sure and didn't include it, however I just googled it and yes it's a thick rope! So that was five. Gold smartarse star for me!

 

[Simster]

Fair play

He doesn't count - he was once on university challenge.

 

[Brovion]

He doesn't count - he was once on university challenge.

... and Mastermind!

 

[MattBackHome]

As others, only gnomic and occidental understood, but I don't think I've ever actually used either.