This makes me sad; I love semicolons.

Despite my attempts to stop it, my Microsoft Word program would always change the word for Italy's famous cured meat into what it assumed I meant to type. The night we closed an issue, I would have nightmares that when the magazine hit the stands, one of my reviews would describe "the delicate sweet and salty balance of melon and prostitute."

Though that quote isn't representative of the article as a whole (which focuses on potential explanations for an increase in restaurant menu typos), I can certainly empathize with the author there.

But I don't sympathize... not sure I've ever dreamed about typos, personally, but I absolutely know what it'd feel like if I did.

synecdoche (sĭn-ĕk'dō-kē) n.

1. a figure of speech substituting a more general term for a less general one, or vice versa
   

Definition, as usual, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

prestidigitation (prĕs'tĭ-dĭj'ĭ-tā'shən) n.

1. Performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand.
2. A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.

Definition, from the American Heritage Dictionary, via Answers.com. Suggestion from Sheri way way back in November. Credit for being absolute shite at managing the word queue... all mine.

zenzizenzizenzic (zĕn"zĭ-zĕn-zĭ-zĕn'z'ĭk) n.

1. the eighth power of a number
   

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.
Word contributed by awesome-to-the-zenzizenzizenzic Prakash.

eleemosynary (ĕl-ē-mŏs'ĭ-nĕr"ē) adj.

1. pertaining to charity
2. living on charity
   

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.
Word eleemosynarily contributed by Michael.

revenant (rĕv'ən-ənt) n.

1. someone returning after a long absence
2. a ghost

adj. remembering something long forgotten

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

onomatophobia (ŏn"ō-măt-ō-fō'bĭ-ə) n.

fear of hearing a certain word

Like "the Game."
(Damn.)

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

palinode (păl'-ĭn-ōd) n.

1. a song or poem retracting statements in previous songs or poems
2. retraction or recanting in general

I started off wondering where the hell I'd find an example of this, but then John Lennon's "God" came to mind.

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.
Word suggested by Sheri. Thanks, Sheri! Now join Multiply, Sheri! :)

discubation (dĭs-kū-bā'shən) n.

reclining at meals; accubation, cubation

Definition, as always, from the usually wonderful (but today frustrating) Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

jehu (jē'hū)

v.t. & i. to drive

n. someone who loves driving; a fast driver (from Jehu, a fast-driving Israeli king)

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

apophasis (ă-pŏf'ə-sĭs) n.

mentioning something by saying it won't be mentioned: "We won't mention his filthy habits."

Ten to three. Just saying.

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

agathokakological (ăg"ə-thə-kăk-"ō-lðj'ĭ-kəl) adj.
composed of both good and evil

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.


Thanks, Prakash!

parorexia (păr-ō-rĕks'ĭ-ə) n.
perverted appetite, demanding strange foods.

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

However, Answers.com has a slightly more descriptive definition of this one:

par·o·rex·i·a (păr'ə-rĕk'sē-ə)
n.

Abnormal or inappropriate appetite, especially a craving for items unsuitable as food; pica.

Yum. Any lunch ideas? ;)

I think I'll start these up again. Maybe a few a week... one a day seems too much (though I don't imagine I'll run out anytime soon).

pecos (pā'kōs) v.t.
to shoot a man and roll his body into the river

Definition, as always, from the wonderful Word Lover's Dictionary by Josefa Heifetz.

I don't know if it's a real word, but it sure has enough Google matches.
It sounds unexpectedly cool. And I like it.

My word is apostrophising.

As in, I'm not sure where I should be apostrophising the possessive form of the word "masses."

Dictionary.com profiled it way back in 2000 (and, hey, in 2002 as well!), but I guess I'm not old-skool enough.

lachrymose (lkr-ms)
adj.

1. Weeping or inclined to weep; tearful.
2. Causing or tending to cause tears.

I lovehate it.

I wonder if it made the cut for the Word Lover's Dictionary. I'll have to check when I get into the office on Monday; that book went on to become the founding volume of my in-cubicle mini-library (otherwise known as a few books on a shelf).