nugatory · /ˈnju:ɡət(ə)rɪ/ · /NYOO-gə-tree/. adjective. Worthless, trifling, inconsequential. From Latin nūgārī (to jest), from nūgae(trifles).
[Read more…]nugatory
nice
/naɪs/ adjective. Pleasant; kind; friendly; good; agreeable. Foolish; ignorant. Wanton.
intromission
intromission /in-troh-MISH-ən/. noun. Generally, the act of introducing, inserting or entering. Specifically, the very first moment of sexual intercourse. In (Scots) law, to assume the authority to deal with another’s property either with permission (legal intromission) or without (vicious intermission). From Latin intrō (inward) + missum (to send). ¶ See also: adosculation (impregnation by external contact, sans intromission) of which the 1753 Chambers Cyclopedia notes, “divers kinds of birds and fishes are also impregnated by adosculation.” Also?
[Read more…]
furphy
furphy /FəR-fee/. noun. A false report; a rumor. From Furphy water carts (and latrine buckets) employed during World War I in Australia by the Furphy manufacturing company. The slang use of the word derives from the fact that soldiers would stand around the carts—which were boldly emblazoned with the company name—exchanging gossip. See also: scuttlebutt.
“The furphy round the House is that they believe in the thing so solidly that they’ve convinced their husbands.” (John Wyndham)
“Some members described climate change as a ‘furphy’.” (Rosemary Bulger)
Select Synonyms: scuttlebutt, canard, tittle-tattle, fama clamosa, bush telegraph, clishmaclaver, causerie, whispers, blather.
Elsewhere: Wordnik.