Date: Wed, 3 May 1995 08:40:34 -0700

From: Peter McGraw pmcgraw[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CALVIN.LINFIELD.EDU

Subject: Re: Cross-post: on n X short of a Y



On Wed, 3 May 1995, David Muschell wrote:



Up here in Vermont, we could say one log short of a cord of wood. Or how

about one cow short of a herd?(BTW, if the plural of goose is geese, why is-

n't the plural of moose meese?)Jeezum crow!



Why don't we say:



"You look very sheveled today (neat, well-groomed)"

"You look kempt (same)"

"I am very appointed in you (feeling good about)"

"I am feeling gruntled (happy)"

"Furl that flag (fold it)!"



I don't know about flags, but sails can be furled - i.e., rolled up.



"I am traveling cognito (identifying myself to everyone)"

"His toward behavior was flattering to her (favorable)"

"She advertently demanded a raise (purposefully)"

"They planned their trip very petuously (same)"

"She eptly walked through the crowd (gracefully)"

"Yes, you may speak to him. He is capacitated (alert, aware)"

"We waited a terminable time for his arrival (not that long)"

"I have many givings about this situation (good feelings)"

"The teacher enjoyed her ruly class (orderly)"



???????



David Muschell

Georgia College

(with promptu help from Jack Winter)





I remember my high school Latin and French teacher (who also taught

English) once reading a poem in class that featured nonexistent words like

the above. All I remember was one line in the middle:



"Intro? Extro? No, he's just a vert."



and the last line:



"Certive, choate, loof."



Is there anyone out there who has also heard that poem, and better yet,

has a copy of it?



Peter McGraw

Linfield College

McMinnville, OR