Meanings

Long ago*, and far away†, D and I found‡ The Meaning of Liff. We have, over the years, used a few of the words, made them part of our vocabulary, and added a few of our own obscure placenames to cover experiences for which there is no adequate word in English.

For many of Douglas Adams & John Lloyd's definitions, we have expanded meanings to cover additional, but analogous, situations. Some blogger (no profile offered) is putting up a word a day from that wonderful book. I wish I'd thought of this. So, I will, as applicable, link and add our tweaks.

We already own both books. The original British edition we found (and kept) and bought the Further Meaning of Liff new, when that came out. If you have not bought either, send John Lloyd a little something. Douglas Adams probably doesn't care these days. Although he might be pleased that some people have his words in their daily vocabulary.


Scethrog is perfect by itself, although we sometimes use it for any intentionally odd-shaved-shaped facial hair.

We got rather clathy about all the halogen and fluorescent light bulbs we had to dispose of when we moved in here.

A scopwick is not just a smoking related injury, but happens during anesthetic induction quite often, as the dry lip sticks to the breathing tube, catches when it's put in, and bleeds a bit.

The grayling (after a small town in Michigan, named after a variety of trout - to which they erected a large concrete statue) is the food in the cafeteria that is not particularly delicious, but is reliably edible and safe. (This is one of ours.)

Got any of your own? Or a favorite from Liff?


*1990.
†Saudi Arabia.
‡Among the makeshift library of books donated for military folks.