44: Creepy Gnome

I don't know how I missed this story, but it's certainly worth posting here, for obvious reasons...

"Creepy Gnome" Terrorises Town

"Creepy Gnome" Back on Prowl

One objection I have is using quotation marks on "Creepy Gnome" -- because, obviously, that's not a value judgment, here: gnomes simply ARE creepy. To say "Creepy" is kind of redundant. But, no doubt wishing to avoid casting aspersions on gnomes everywhere, they qualify it that this is a creepy gnome. I imagine the lil' creep got drunk on elderberry schnapps or something, leading him to shamble around town like that.

This gnome is definitely creeping.

GWD: Hugger-Mugger

Yet another gnomish word, articulating gnomish values, with the same nonsense compound word structure, bound insidiously by a hyphen, always the "tell" where gnomish words and values are concerned. I wouldn't be surprised if a gnome invented the hyphen, in a bout of hugger-muggery. And notice the parallel themes so often with gnomespeak: disorder, confusion, and secrecy...

hugger-mugger
n.
1. Disorderly confusion; muddle.
2. Secrecy; concealment.
adj.
1. Disorderly; jumbled.
2. Secret; clandestine.
v. hug·ger-mug·gered, hug·ger-mug·ger·ing, hug·ger-mug·gers
v.tr.
To keep secret; conceal.
v.intr.
To act in a secretive manner.