Zoozoo, Logodaedalus and Supernaculum Festoon Chambers Dictionary

Perhaps the uniqueness of Chambers Dictionary arises from its Scottish publishing base. Scots is one of the more flamboyant varieties of English. On the other hand, it may be due to editor Ian Brookes’ love of words. He is actively resisting the temptation to throw out words in August’s new edition. His is a mission from God.

Reuters caught up to Mr. Brookes at the London Book Fair earlier this week, and noted that he has a list of “saved words.” Among the saved are: jobernowl (blockhead), logodaedalus (someone skilled in the manipulative use of words), incompossible (incapable of co-existing) and supernaculum (to the last drop). Ah yes, Maxwell House Coffee supernaculumly good. Well, perhaps not all of these words will work in modern advertising.

Nonetheless, the folks at Chambers Dictionary have one of the most interesting websites for those who love words. Not only can one purchase their products, but one gets a quick education in words that should be used more frequently. Best of all, for those penny-pinchers in the room, there is a free e-book one can download.

The e-book contains not only words that have passed from daily use, but also words that never were, but perhaps should be. As examples of the latter, one would cite celebrat (a badly-behaved celebrity), nutrobabble (jargon used by the health food industry, however, the Kensington Review prefers to spell it nutra-babble), and Hamburger Dad (a divorced father who sees his children only at weekends to take them out for a fast-food meal). Amusing to be sure, these suggestions, note the editors, illustrate how malleable and innovative the English language is.

As Orwell taught, the ability to think is defined by the words one has with which to express ideas. His concept of Newspeak was simple: reduce the number of subversive words and one reduces the ability to question authority. Despite the best efforts of the White House and Number 10 Downing Street, it appears that freedom of thought and freedom of speech are on the march. The spoffish blatherskites may threaten with pilliwinks, but the refulgent light of liberty will squabash these hungruffins of kakistocracy. Or does one ultracrepdiate?

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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