Monday, April 12, 2010

GWD: Shilly-Shally

You thought I had run out of nonsense hyphenated compounds? Not yet! And, as ever, the gnomish values of sowing confusion and uncertainty among human ranks remain intact with this word, as with so many of the others. This one is particularly egregious, since it sounds like you're drunkenly saying your friend Sally is being silly...

shilly–shally
Pronunciation: \ˈshi-lē-ˌsha-lē\
Function: adverb
Etymology: irregular reduplication of shall I
Date: 1700

: in an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

38: Message T-shirts

The natural travel companion of the wacky hat is the message t-shirt. This is the tee that communicates something stupid (or, in gnome terms, "funny") to the onlooker. I suspect this is a gnomish sartorial prank perpetrated on unwary humans. You should know what you're getting into with a person who wears such things, although I do like this spin on the classic gnome "I'm With Stupid" tee shirt...

Yes, you certainly are, you damned gnome.