Awesome! The iPhone ROX! Notice how I made it so that the videos play on the iPhone on my website? YouTube finally caught up a couple days ago and you can play the on there as well. But I’ve had that ability for months
Ohhhhh my gawd!!!! does it ever!!! The things I could tell you today. You’d swear I was a ditzy 16 year old girl. I’ve only had the iPhone for two hours and I’ve watched about 4 of your videos on YT and several on HFW and I was able to log into comments and leave that message above. Friggin awesome. My friend in Col. said the phone sounded awesome as I was talking to him on speaker phone. You have no idea how thankful I am to you!!!! Well, you will, soon.
Oh, GREAT! I keep trying to lure Marina into philology discussions, and what does she fall for, but some new techno-toy! Well, if that’s what it takes…
Actually, no, she has better things to do. I’d take it OK from CJ, you, or ChaCha, whoever is delegated to handle such matters.
While we’re at it, do students sometimes get suspended for being abusive? I was engaged in an interesting exchange with someone named “razorstwincam” after I inadvertently tread on some cross-cultural sensitivities. He threatened me with physical violence, but then disappeared before I could figure out what was eating him. I keep wondering if he was Georgian instead of Russian and got offended when I dissed Stalin.
Hi Evan, to answer your question about “do students get suspended…”.
Keep in mind, I am not speaking for Marina, nor am I speaking authoritatively, but having watched Marina’s videos and this website grow over the last year, I speak as a HFW fan and can give you a flavor, which might go something like this.
First, this HotForWords.com site is the most awesome site I have ever come across, not only in terms of technology, but the way it has been organized and manged. I am awestruck. Lots of companies should take lessons from Marina. I love this site.
Marina has interjected comments referring to your question many times before in which she does not micro manage the comments, nor delete them (with exception to state/federal laws regarding certain things).
She has said many times that she wishes the site to flow freely and organically. I’ll post links to her comments once I find them. That’s what interested me about this site and that is why I became a subscriber.
I like your interjections, you provide lots of interesting tidbits which also make it entertaining. So, keep doing what your doing. I appreciate you being here as part of the community and have gotten to know you through your comments.
***LossForWords’ FRACTURED PHILOLOGY presents a mini-lesson :
How Barry Became Barack (Inaugural edition)***
A few months ago, Newsweek ran an article entitled, “How Barry Became Barack.” Discontent with their explanation, I did my own research and discovered the following:
President Obama was known as Barry until he was a young man and went on a trip to Japan. Now, “Obama” is also a Japanese name. There was another Mr. Obama at the conference he attended, leading to some confusion between the two. Thus for clarity, one of the Japanese hosts began to refer to the American as the “Black Obama.” Of course, with a Japanese accent, “Black” is pronounced “Barack.” Obama took a liking to it, perhaps since the name means “lightning” in Hebrew and “blessing” in Arabic, and has called himself “Barack” ever since.
There you go — another mystery compounded by your dubious LossForWords.
Afterthought: I have uncovered NO evidence that President O’Bama is ["Black Irish"]
Here’s a boring text-based word request for you, Marina!
Millwright. It is a skilled trade of Industrial complexes like Mine sites. They install complex conveyer belts, giant motors, fix things, weld things, and more. They are essential for industrial maintenance.
It’s just a strange name for a trade, considering:
“Electricians” work with “Electricity”
“Plumbers” work with “Plumbing”
“Carpenters” work with “Carpentry” or wood-based work.
“Welders” weld
Wright comes from work. By putting wright on the end of something, you get the form of “-worker” with the sense of builder, e.g. shipwright is a ship builder.
M doesn’t even do that for Russian, her first language.
I am trying to convince her to have a Website feature for translating common phrases into various languages and showing the literal translation back into English. For example, what would the same phrase as “Don’t let the bedbugs bite” (said to someone who is going to bed) in Portuguese be? And what would be the literal translation in English?
Oh, I’ve heard this one. You translate “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” into Russian, and it comes back as “The vodka is strong, but the meat is rotten!”
I think what jga meant was subtitles in English, so that he can read as well as listen. Quite often beginning students in a language can read it even though the sounds are still a jumble.
Marina, what do you think of my new 3d HD title… Only you can see it.. It will be my new thing from now on.. I will work on it more as I go on but, it will be fine for now.
Hey Marina. I have two requests for you.
My first one is [FUNK]. As in funky funk.
My second one that my boyfriend requests is [SAUSAGE], as in food.
Random I know, but something for you
I doubt writing a poem about your show , and then asking for you to use a word will make me the front runner. But I figure its worth a shot.
Smart is sexy, is her scholastic policy
Are you watching to watch Marina, or learn etymology?
She is a master wordsmith, and admits she’s a nerd
Your missing out on a lot, if you miss hot for words.
I would like to know the origin of the word [lyrics]? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Very good , sexy is healthy; as schools: we policy swimmingly, watch entertainment of uttermost presentation, describing oral communication{WORDS} is how HotForWords {Republic of Lexicon} exuberantly and effectually, effervescency. [Poems and Lyrics] i 2nd that ipeoplewatch
Hello, since we are on the topic of berries. I’m from [Saskatoon] Saskatchewan and would apreciate if you can solve this problem I’ve been having explaining, why my city is named after a [Saskatoon] berry. Or is it vis vera? And why is it called a [Saskatoon] anyway? Learning about Rasberrys in your last video. Does it have anything to do with [Sask] atchewan?
Here in Sacramento much suburban land is owned by the lot owners right out to the center of the street. (Naturally they can’t use any of it occupied by the street or sidewalks.) If sidewalks must be built or already exist, you aren’t allowed to do any major improvements to buildings unless you first deed the land under the streets and sidewalks to the county so that they actually own it. Then (get this) if you need to do any sidewalk or driveway construction, you must first pay for an encroachment permit that allows you to build upon the county’s land.
How about the word [Marshmallow]. It is one of many nicknames I have was called as a child, but as I grew older I changed it to Marshmellow, since I am to Mellow. On a side note how about the word [Mellow] as well.
OK, Bob, here’s one more for you & then off to bed for me.
Dafydd, the Welsh golfer, was known for frequently hitting his ball into the rough, or the pond, or the sand traps. Which earned him the nickname of “Dai ap Hazard.”
I have seriously pondered the issue last night. And I definitely think you should perfume too before you go sit yourself at these front rows of the class. Shaving is not enough I say. You may trade the roses for a bunch of raspberries though. That will bring a touch of originality to the portrait.
When Marina first started her YouTube channel, she considered calling herself “sxephil,” short for “Sexy Philologist.” But she changed her mind after deciding that, with a name like that, people would think she was a louchebag.
Interesting thing about the word [touchdown]… in gridiron football, for a major score, the point is not to “touch it down” but to “break the plane”… of the goal line that is. But in Rugby the point is to touch the ball down in the end-zone & if you don’t touch it down in the end-zone, no points are awarded & oddly enough a touch down is not called a touchdown, it is called a “Try”.
Is a guy that plays “tight end” too long called a “wide receiver”? ah.. I’ll shuddup. …member yet?
WLIU, originally it meant an error in typesetting (vs. in the author’s copy) as the two were done by separate persons. Now that we do our own typesetting by typing, it has come to mean a typing error, even if it was done by the author himself.
What you did to your arm is called an “arm fart” where I come from and it is a way of being rude to someone who is disrespectful to you. Of course, you could always expel gas and release a real fart, but you might be in trouble if it tourned out to be a wet fart. LOL!
I would call that ‘an artificial fart in the crook of the arm’ because George Carlin called the armpit fart sounds, ‘an artificail fart under the arm’.
The man that owns the tiger parks at malls and big stores and charges people to have their picture taken with a tiger. He stopped by the station and asked if we wanted a picture taken free of charge. So most of us got our pictures taken with the tiger.
I If you have noticed I am not as active as usual by the way.. I am busy with college work and my video.. So far I have only just downloaded the plug in stuff. It was 4 gb. So Iam still here!
Hey ilikesexytime let me help you on your word request of [SOLES]. As Marina has changed the way she searches for word requests and wants these two brackets added on both sides of the word or words. The new change is highlighted in red just above the comment box. It’s new so it will take some time getting use to.
Okay, I think we need some music. I thought about Raspberry Beret, but I am just not in the mood for Prince right now. Then, I thought about Cherry Cherry, but even though Neil Diamond is one of my faves, that was not doing it for me either. Then, I figured if a cherry is a berry, then a Wilbury must be, too.
Here is the wintry scene we have at my house now. It’s starting to melt some so it should be gone by Friday. Our snows don’t last to long. My son on the right and two of his friends bombarding the front door with snow balls as pictures were being taken. The snow was to powdery to make a snow man.
Looks like fun!
Dang Cap, you could do some cross-country sking right there in the front yard.
All I’d need is a Quad, a peice of rope, and one of those snow saucer/sled things. Fun for hours… with a willing soul on the saucer of course.
That’s just the front yard the sides are bigger than that with out any obstruction. I don’t know why they didn’t think of that. One year we used a car hood to pull people around on.
You call that snow?
It’ s great that he had the opportunity to make some snow balls this year. I know snow isn’t the most common thing everywhere.
Most countries don’t even have 4 seasons, but 2 or 3, tops.
I have some class mates from Iraq, they have never even seen snow, before coming to Romania
Thanks for sharing the pix! I love seeing what people are up to while they are not on the web site.
Do you think it would be a good idea to start a thread in the forum, where we could post our own pix. I would name it “Show your face!“. But I don’t know, people can be so reticent at times, that I have no guarantee that anyone else, besides you maybe, would get into it.
It’s worth a try. There are other threads that don’t have many cementers so whats one more. People post there personal pics on the Twitter site so whey not the forums site.
Che has a couple of photo forums over there. Bob and Klaus post quite a bit in them. You could either start your own or just post your pics in one of those. I like the idea, though. I like putting a face with all these people.
Sorry Bob I couldn’t help but laugh at your cat comment in the other section. I had an old, old tom that was to old he wouldn’t go the soy bean field to potty so he would use the planter pots on the front steps. So yea I know how funny that is.
Good one, Chemikal; it was one of my Dad’s favourite words.
Unfortunately the O.E.D. says “origin unknown”, so I’ll claim that Dad invented it, until Marina proves me wrong.
There are one or two theories as to its origin, one of which says that it’s an eponym; I find that the more likely because my father didn’t have any association with the other groups credited with coining it in the other theories.
I remember him calling other people twerps but I can’t recall him using it on me – maybe I have a super-selective memory, although he called me plenty of other unpleasant things until I was big enough to respond without fear of a hiding.
No, I’ve got the two volume doorstop edition; it’s getting a bit long in the tooth now and I suppose many new words have been added since it was printed, but it does for me combined with all the on-line free dictionaries.
I didn’t really answer your question, did I – I believe you do have to subscribe to the on-line O.E.D., at least, I’m not aware of a free look-up facility for them.
Marina will surely be able to tell you, though.
Do either of you know exactly what plant they are? I need some greenery in my study. A problem is that I have only one small window down here, very little sun light. The other problem is that I tend to have a black thumb.
It appears to be a mixed bowl of spring bulbs; I can definitely see white Hyacinths, Miniature Daffodils/Narcissus/Jonquils, and I think also Tulips (the red ones). There may also be some Crocuses and/or Snowdrops.
I wouldn’t think so; their rapid growth is due to the indoor temperature and light levels, and being adequately fed and watered, and they will probably not do well if left in such a small container for a long time – it may be wise to plant them out in the garden after they have finished flowering.
Having said that, I have an Ameryllis Lily which was given to me as a Christmas present about 16 or 17 years ago, which is still in the same pot and gets nothing but water, and it produces one or two flower spikes with four flowers regularly every year. It just refuses to die.
Don’t laugh Cap. That is a problem I am having with my cat right now. Maia has her box upsairs, and she also has one down in the study with me. The problem is, when she is upstairs with all the dogs, she likes to use Mrs. Somebody’s planters. I dunno, maybe she likes her privacy.
Hey Marina, I would like to request an odd word I heard a few days a go, and the word is [Exmortis]. If you can check into this word, I would be very greatful.
Would you take my word request in memory of my Golden Retriever?
Her name was [Nala] – As most noted from the 90’s Movie “The Lion King”
We had to put her down yesterday after finding she had cancer with no alternatives . She was a good, loving, and gentle friend for almost 12 years.
I want to do a photo book of all of our memories and her name is most notable but I’m finding many different meanings for it and I’d like to know what the most common meaning for [Nala] is. It’s my understanding [Nala] comes or is used in the Swahili language.
I’d be ever so greatful if you wouldn’t mind someday doing this as a word.
I think they can only officially be called a ZERBERT if performed on somebody’s [TUMMY]. Volunteers? Maybe you could make it a prize for the next GTWG.
A sad man walks sadly into a bar.
He orders a bear, but visibly troubled by his problems, he neglects it.
Another man sees this, and thought he should play a practical joke on him. So the man proceeds to drink the sad bloke’s beer.
After he saw that his beer had disappeared, the sad guy burst into tears!
Then the joker said that it was OK, he’d buy him another one.
But that still didn’t stop him from crying.
Through his tears he begins to explain that his wife left him, taking away his house, his car, and emptied his bank accounts.
He even tried to hang himself, but the rope broke.
He even tried to shoot himself, but the revolver got stuck.
Then he added:
“And now, with my last money on Earth, I buy myself a beer and some poison, and you come along and drink them like an asshole!”
I heard of a guy who walked into a mining lab where he worked and saw a beaker full of what he thought was water sitting on the counter. He was thirsty, so he drank it. It was cyanide.
@Bob and Evan (&CJ, if he wakes up) Ihave been told that my surname is Welsh in origin. The name is Sudduth, which I have been told means “from the south” or “southlander.” I have seen other spellings, the most common around here is Suddreth. Do you know of any Sudduths over on that side of the Pond, and have you heard mention of this name? I know one of you cats knows something about this. I appreciate any help you can give.
Afraid I can’t help either, off the top of my head. Welsh for south is de, pronounced “day,” so the name would not likely be of Welsh origin (though there are a number of non-Welsh names associated with Wales.) Sud is a variation on the Spanish word for “south”, as seen in “Sudamérica.” But I can’t really put together anything from the clues.
Except…I do remember something about Spaniards coming to Wales during the coal boom of the late 1800s to work in the mines. Who knows, maybe it’s some sort of Spanish-Welsh hybrid (like the Spanish-Irish “McLopez”). I’ve heard of stranger things, not to mention inventing them.
Clarification: CJ and I both live in Washington State. My home town of Renton was formerly an immigrant Welsh coal-mining town, as were the nearby communities of Newcastle and Black Diamond; the language was still heard in the streets of Renton during my childhood in the ’50s.
Evan’s mention of “sud” being Spanish for south reminds me of two points which may prompt further ideas:-
1. Sud is also French for south, as in Sud Aviation, one of the original French nationalized aircraft manufacturers which has grown and morphed into Aerospatiale and Airbus Industries.
2. There are still to this day Welsh communities in South America, in Argentine Patagonia, where one can hear Welsh spoken on a daily basis. (The above is a very amusing link – rugby balls , Prince Charles )
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reminder of Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony) in Patagonia. A few years ago I read the Dyddiadur y Mimosa (Diary of the Mimosa) story of the Welsh emigrants to Argentina.
One of the historical oddities of this colony is that there were Welsh fighting on both the Argentine and British sides during the Falklands war. There was an apocryphal story that the Sheffield was sunk by a Welsh-Argentinian pilot who heard the ship radio its location in Welsh (which has long been used as a British military code, like Navajo in WWII), then flew to its location and launched an Exocet missile at the ship.
Afterthought — Prince Charles actually did take the trouble to learn some Welsh, allegedly the first English Prince of Wales since 1282 to have bothered to do so. Chwarae teg iddo fe!
Hmm… I guess Welsh may not be the place to look. methinks this geneology may take some actual research. I reckon I will put this on my list of things to do when I get spare time in the summer – of 2011.
Thanks for expanding my vocabulary/helping me understand the origin of so many WORDS. I liked hearing about BOOBS now could you tell us about [Uranus]? Seriously!! Inquiring minds want to know!!
There are two different spellings used “out there”… [godess and goddess].
For a woman to be described as a goddess… they say she has to have double d’s… is this true or is this just a tale blown out of proportion? hmmm?
I finally wrote a link directly to your YouTube-profile from http://is.gd/gHAW on Xomba.com.
Sure, I’ll still link to most of your individual videos (ether from there or from http://hotforhotforwords.blogspot.com/), but I’ll be putting ‘http://is.gd/gHAW’ in my comment-signature there!
Not just a fruit, but a mystery or two. Bob (as long as we’re doing puns in Nahuatl), and our friends from Mexico, help me out!
1. While at the home of a friend of mine, a chemical engineer and inveterate punster, I commented on the all the moles in his lawn. “Yes, I’m planning to raise avocados.”
2. I asked a couple of Mexican friends if they like avocados. José replied, “No, as your Shakespeare would say, let’s kill them all!” Miguel commented, “No, you need avocados if you run out of huevos {eggs}!” Whereupon they both whooped and giggled as if the remark were indecently funny.
What’s going on here, guys? LossForWords must instigate!
Evan, you know that Avocados are used to make Guacamole, and preliminary investigation reveals that mole is a Mexican dish – some sort of puree or sauce.
Could this be the answer?
Also, I seem to remember someone saying that “avocados” is slang for “testicles” because of the shape and the hard stone inside.
OK, so anything to do with the Mole as a unit of measurement, used in Chemistry, which is Celebrated annually on October 23, Mole Day ?
The Mole is also known as Avogadro’s Number (6.02 x 10^23) and for a given molecule, one mole is a mass (in grams) whose number is equal to the atomic mass of the molecule.
Avocado: the answers
OK, Bob’s about four for five on this one, catching the puns on moles, avocados and Avogadro’s, the “testicle” and “lawyer” connections, plus adding the “guaca-mole” twist.
Seattle’s Anu Garg (The Dord, the Diglot, and an Avocado or Two) gives the etymology as follows:
The word [avocado]originated in the Aztec language Nahuatl, where it was called ahuacatl, meaning “testicle” because of its shape. Spanish conquerors…pronounced the name of the fruit as aguacate. The name also morphed into avocado, influenced by the now obsolete Spanish avocado, meaning “lawyer” or “advocate.”
Which leaves only one more piece of the puzzle: huevos (eggs) is Mexican Spanish slang for “testicles,” hence if you’re out of “huevos,” you can substitute avocados.
Sorry Bob, I have no Ipod to send, and I’m sure you don’t want MY hot calendar, but kudos nonetheless!
Thanks for the Kudos, Evan; how many can I take, or are there only the two?
“Eggs” is also a euphemism for testicles in Thai (and for that matter in English in some connections – “sausage and eggs” cf. “pork and beans” cf. banana and kiwis, depending on the culture/agriculture. ), so I didn’t think to spell it out.
***True confessions game***
OK, HFW fans, fess up. How bad is your HFW addiction? Have you ever done any of the following?
1. Awoken out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night with an idea for a word request or other comment on the HFW site?
2. Had fantasies about being married to or otherwise intimiately involved with Lady Marina?
3. Learned some Russian to try to impress her?
4. Kissed your computer screen back when she blows kisses at it?
5. Had your wife or significant other complain about your “obsession” with HFW?
6. Secretly logged onto HFW during your break at work? Or worse,
7. Interrupted your co-workers to watch a particularly good HFW video?
8. Other (oh, pleeeease describe!):
Please write your answers in the comments below. For short, you may refer to them by number.
While driving to work the other day, I was trying to think of Russian-English cognates. Is чистый related to ["chaste"]? видеть to ["video"]? Now that’s obsessive!
I passed out in my chair for two days waiting for the answer to guess the word game. My left hand was buried in a bag of Survival Trail Mix and my right hand still glued to my mouse. When I lifted my head up from the computer desk, a half-smoked cigarette was stuck to my forehead… (and my dog ate all my hotdogs!)
I know that this is perfectly normal… I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM!!!
***WORD REQUEST:[Cockney rhyming slang]***
“Raspberry tart” as rhyming slang reminds me of “trouble and strife” for “wife” and “God forbid!” for “kid” (child). Maybe we can get James to come up with some more Cockney rhyming slang for a video; I’m sure he gets out of Portland and over to London occasionally.
In some of my occasional studies of my Welsh background, I have found a reference that Welsh sailors called penguins, Great Auks. how in the heck do you get Penguins from Auks?
As Welsh morwyr, they obviously could not call the birds “penguins,” because that’s Welsh for “white head” (pen gwyn) and the birds have black heads. As far as “auk”, I’ll fall back on my onomatopoeia explanation. (Think of a penguin’s call.)
As long as I’m free-associating, let’s look at “morwyr” — “sailors” or literally, “sea men.” (Bob, no puns on this!) Mor is cognate with Latin mar as in “marine;” wyr is related to Latin vir as in “virile” or old English wer as in “werewolf” (q.v.)
OK, no puns, I’ll be content with sharing a name with Marina.
Since it’s the first syllable of my surname, I have been known as “Mor” for much of my working life, but still wonder about the meaning of the second syllable “ris”; does “ris” correspond to anything in Welsh?
Since it means “mother”, and is pronounced similar to “mord”, which means “murder”, and “more” meaning to amuse or entertain, the “Mor” was the subject of ridicule in Scandinavia, until I pointed out that in Gaelic it means “Great” and in Thai it is “a wise man”.
Thus my mission is to gain, and pass on, wisdom and to entertain, and slay, with my [quirky] sense of humour.
Morris is a common name in Wales, though I’ve never come across its meaning. The Gaelic “mor” is “mawr” in Welsh. As far as “ris…”
• “Rhys” is another common Welsh name;
• “Rhysedd” means “excess,” “pomp” or “glory”
• “Rhysfa” means “fortress.”
So perhaps “Morris” means “great excessively pompous glorious fortress.”
Or it might be an abbreviation of the Sassenach “more risible.”
A couple is at the park
The girl suddenly feels an urge to fart , and thought up a way to disguise the sound
Girl says to the boy : Did you hear about the boo-goo bird ? It makes a funny sound . I’ll show you , Boo (farts) – Goo . Sounds funny isn’t it ?
Boy : Can’t hear it , the fart is too loud
Real hard to translate the joke from Chinese … but there you are
Bob, I swear, you’re a regular Richard Burton (the explorer, not the actor.) He said he’d never go anywhere he couldn’t speak the language, but he wanted to go everywhere, so he ended up speaking about 60.
Hmm … I came here for the adult education class but seem to have ended up in the kindergarten.
Oh well, as long as I’m here I might as well leave this nice cushion on the teacher’s chair – notice the target age bracket in the description – one question, though, shouldn’t “No manual-blowing required” really be “No oral blowing …”?
What’s that? Oral blowing IS still required? Oh gooood.
That video reminds me that where I come from people also refer to scrapes and little injuries as “raspberries”.
WORD REQUEST!!!
I’ve been trying to interest my friends in your lessons and as we watched your videos one friend told me he was bored. So of course, I called him a philistine! It made me wonder who are these Philistines and why do they have such a bad reputation?
P.S. Of course your videos aren’t boring, darned Philistines.
hahaha your raspberries were very cute marina gorby always pops his head into view LOL i wish my cat would do that ahaha but hes always sleeping on my bed
A catwalk is a walkway for humans so narrow that, presumably, only a cat would feel comfortable upon it. They are typically installed where there is little traffic, i.e. to grant service or inspection access to equipment, etc. and where light-weight construction is advantageous.
I keep my cat Sweety Pie near a metal recycling yard. There was an airplane wing standing leading-edge down waiting to be cut up. The trailing edge was less than a half an inch wide, yet she jumped up on the trailing edge and walked right across the length of the wing without batting an eye. Now that was a true “catwalk.”
CK has inadvertently hinted at the true origin of catwalk, a long narrow stage where models parade and show off the clothes they’re wearing (or almost wearing).
For his cat to walk along that airplane wing, it had to carefully place its paws in front of each other on the centreline of the wing edge, and that is the way models are taught to walk, to make them appear sexier.
Apparently people prefer to offer definitions and not origins of the words, which first appeared in 1917 I believe. “Modes of Movement”, a catwalk show by the Marks brothers. Well that’s my guess of the first documented use of the word. I’m sure M will come up with something 17th century or earlier.
I have the data to answer the question but I withheld that information for I would rather have M do the video on it. I was just putting out a tickler. It’s obvious that the word existed before 1917 hence it was used in a film after the fact.
I think cats can see and hear the world like a true artist. That’s why they sleep a lot. Or perhaps they never really sleep. They just dream like dolphins.
Classless, I know, but I had a supervisor who would walk the job with me throughout a well known factory, and as happenstance would have it one afternoon, we entered through a doorway into a room full of female workers, me first. He was skilled at making the fart sound by blowing on his open hand, and that he did, quickly closing the door, leaving me standing there all by my lonesome as the women turned and looked at me as the farting culprit. Of course, there was no explaining what really happened to them, and I knew he was holding the door shut tight, so I just made my exit through the door that seem so very far away. He also would bring in fart capsules and break them on the floor to bring mayhem to the morning meetings called by his own supervisor. Paid by the hour. The best practical joker was by this dude who liked to ride in crowded elevators, standing behind everyone, he’d make a fart noise and then softly say, “Sorry” to his captive audience, as he watched their faces scrunch.
Marina, I noticed you named the YT video “iFart”.
I’ll bet you one shinny quarter you have that app.
If so, could you do a supplemental video to this lesson and share it with us?
Now THAT would be fun!
I wouldn’t mind receiving one of your raspberries, Marina. I don’t consider you an unkind person. There at the end, though, it did seem like you could use a little more practice.
While watching part of a drama from last week, I was reminded of a word I wanted to request. [maelstrom] I’ll throw in a second just for good measure. [flummox]
We seem to be running you ragged like a Playboy bunny with her tail cut off. Okay, I’m not sure exactly what that means, but let me enjoy the visual.
Unfortunately, since M is on the inside of your monitor, you have to wipe the inside of the glass. Since this is physically impossible, you must use the software method of cleaning it — watching 5 minutes of Bounty and Windex commercials.
A couple of my old requests… well ones I can remember, [inuendo] & [sacrosanct]
didn’t check my spelling though. Going to try a video request, I hope… soon as I can figure out the panasonic “upload edit thingy”.
Someone posted it on twitter. I know Marina is not the homewrecker type, but I’m sure a few wives are jealous of her, albeit if they weren’t, Marina’s fragile ego may be hurt
Ay ay ay, dios mio!
Arriva, arriva, muchacho, and ole, and ole, cabron!
I have no idea of what I’ve just said, and that makes me feel great! [Ignorance IS bliss!]
Must be considered contraband in Canada… no ads showing up for me although my pusher has a Raspberry-Apple Jelly that he smuggled into the country, specially for me
But seriously, am I the only one to notice a raspberry-colored blemish on your lovely right arm? I hope that’s not skin cancer! Perhaps you burned yourself while cooking? (I volunteer to kiss it and make it better )
Please reassure your students you are okay.
didn’t catch that! And I thought you were blowing on your forearm, not your upper arm. Relieved anyway to know there’s no dreaded skin disease! How ’bout looking up [impetigo]?
The snozberries taste like snozberries
hahaha yes they do. want to have a maple syrup drinking contest?
Hey Marina could you please tell me what the word [Caucasian] thank you
so, how did [tart] become associated with a wanton wench (that is, a wench i might be wantin’)?…
*raises hand*
Excuse me, Teacher, could you tell me the origin of the word [Robot] please?
Give her a bit — у неё много [работа]! — but I’m sure she’ll Czech on it for you!
Marina, guess how this MSG got here
Show off. You didn’t send send that message while you were driving were you?
You did?
Oh, I see, texting and talking on the phone while driving is illegal, but writing messages on a forum while driving is OK?
You’re a nut case.
Love those eYePhones!!!!
Awesome! The iPhone ROX! Notice how I made it so that the videos play on the iPhone on my website? YouTube finally caught up a couple days ago and you can play the on there as well. But I’ve had that ability for months
Ohhhhh my gawd!!!! does it ever!!! The things I could tell you today. You’d swear I was a ditzy 16 year old girl. I’ve only had the iPhone for two hours and I’ve watched about 4 of your videos on YT and several on HFW and I was able to log into comments and leave that message above. Friggin awesome. My friend in Col. said the phone sounded awesome as I was talking to him on speaker phone. You have no idea how thankful I am to you!!!! Well, you will, soon.
Oh, GREAT! I keep trying to lure Marina into philology discussions, and what does she fall for, but some new techno-toy!
Well, if that’s what it takes… 
Hi Marina,
You WOULD let me know if I were seriously disrupting class, wouldn’t you?
Depends. How would you like to get notified.
Personal visit from Marina herself, I bet.
Actually, no, she has better things to do. I’d take it OK from CJ, you, or ChaCha, whoever is delegated to handle such matters.
While we’re at it, do students sometimes get suspended for being abusive? I was engaged in an interesting exchange with someone named “razorstwincam” after I inadvertently tread on some cross-cultural sensitivities. He threatened me with physical violence, but then disappeared before I could figure out what was eating him.
I keep wondering if he was Georgian instead of Russian and got offended when I dissed Stalin. 
Hi Evan, to answer your question about “do students get suspended…”.
Keep in mind, I am not speaking for Marina, nor am I speaking authoritatively, but having watched Marina’s videos and this website grow over the last year, I speak as a HFW fan and can give you a flavor, which might go something like this.
First, this HotForWords.com site is the most awesome site I have ever come across, not only in terms of technology, but the way it has been organized and manged. I am awestruck. Lots of companies should take lessons from Marina. I love this site.
Marina has interjected comments referring to your question many times before in which she does not micro manage the comments, nor delete them (with exception to state/federal laws regarding certain things).
She has said many times that she wishes the site to flow freely and organically. I’ll post links to her comments once I find them. That’s what interested me about this site and that is why I became a subscriber.
I like your interjections, you provide lots of interesting tidbits which also make it entertaining. So, keep doing what your doing. I appreciate you being here as part of the community and have gotten to know you through your comments.
Raspberry (iFart) was near the top of page 2 at YouTube — but it suddenly disappeared from all 5 pages.
***LossForWords’ FRACTURED PHILOLOGY presents a mini-lesson :
How Barry Became Barack (Inaugural edition)***
A few months ago, Newsweek ran an article entitled, “How Barry Became Barack.” Discontent with their explanation, I did my own research and discovered the following:
President Obama was known as Barry until he was a young man and went on a trip to Japan. Now, “Obama” is also a Japanese name. There was another Mr. Obama at the conference he attended, leading to some confusion between the two. Thus for clarity, one of the Japanese hosts began to refer to the American as the “Black Obama.” Of course, with a Japanese accent, “Black” is pronounced “Barack.” Obama took a liking to it, perhaps since the name means “lightning” in Hebrew and “blessing” in Arabic, and has called himself “Barack” ever since.
There you go — another mystery compounded by your dubious LossForWords.
Afterthought: I have uncovered NO evidence that President O’Bama is ["Black Irish"]
The LossForWords’ FRACTURED PHILOLOGY motto:
“Reality is a splendid launching pad for flights of fancy!”
Eine Kleine Barackmusik
Here’s a boring text-based word request for you, Marina!
Millwright. It is a skilled trade of Industrial complexes like Mine sites. They install complex conveyer belts, giant motors, fix things, weld things, and more. They are essential for industrial maintenance.
It’s just a strange name for a trade, considering:
“Electricians” work with “Electricity”
“Plumbers” work with “Plumbing”
“Carpenters” work with “Carpentry” or wood-based work.
“Welders” weld
but “Millwrights” … they don’t “Mill”.
Wright comes from work. By putting wright on the end of something, you get the form of “-worker” with the sense of builder, e.g. shipwright is a ship builder.
from a what to a where.
I am a beginner student of English, and I would suggest that your videos appear with subtitles. I am sure that like me, you gain a new audience.
I see you very soon
JGA
What is your first language?
Portuguese. I am brazilian.
non falo portugues, pero hablo español.
M doesn’t even do that for Russian, her first language.
I am trying to convince her to have a Website feature for translating common phrases into various languages and showing the literal translation back into English. For example, what would the same phrase as “Don’t let the bedbugs bite” (said to someone who is going to bed) in Portuguese be? And what would be the literal translation in English?
Oh, I’ve heard this one. You translate “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” into Russian, and it comes back as “The vodka is strong, but the meat is rotten!”
I think what jga meant was subtitles in English, so that he can read as well as listen. Quite often beginning students in a language can read it even though the sounds are still a jumble.
i was wondering if i can get the definition of the word haughty an the origin
I have a request.
The word [Stupid] as a synonym for dumb (if there is any others…)
Your newly acquired student.
Marina, what do you think of my new 3d HD title… Only you can see it.. It will be my new thing from now on.. I will work on it more as I go on but, it will be fine for now.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qLPXSbqlJHU
It’s kind of abrupt at the end.. p[lus it doesn’t show your name until the last millisecond! I like it.. just tune it up a little
I will try and do it today. I know what you mean… I had trouble rotating it…
Quid nunc? Quomodo vales? Quod foetet?
Wot? No new lesson yet? Teacher, are you waiting for someone to come and gently kick your sweet little butt or what?
Allez hop! Subito presto! Get back to work at once! All your students are waiting!
I’m outta here… Looks like there’s nothing to see around here.
Marina
Please explain the various meanings and origins of [head]
Hey Marina. I have two requests for you.
My first one is [FUNK]. As in funky funk.
My second one that my boyfriend requests is [SAUSAGE], as in food.
Random I know, but something for you
I have a request: when and how did [shrink] became a synonym to the word psychologist? Thanks
How about [SPELUNK]?
M just might cave in and do that one.
Hi Marina,
I’d like to know the origin of the word [WORD], and BTW what is a word? the definitions in the dictionaries dont seem to be satisfying…
Danke,
SV
Hi Marina, Could you please ask Captain Jack ? Why a Poop Deck? What is a Poop Deck?
Hey Pricedot, try the Maxim show Marina was on a while back. Just click on the play button and enjoy.
http://www.hotforwords.com/2008/07/11/maxim-radio-10th-show/
I want to know the origin of the word [fashion]
Marina, I’d like to know the origin of fashion, too.
Football Word Requests
[Quaterback]
[Defense]
[Offense]
[Referee]
[Super Bowl] Not to be confused with [soup] bowl!
[Scrimmage]
Line of Scrimmage
Scrimmage Game
Word Requests
[Sneeze] & [Snooze]
Homework
lesson Marina! I guess it’s called arm fart, not sure. 
Here’s the most famous “raspberry”, an Archie Bunker! 
That was a BERRY
http://einsiders.com/features/images/mstewert.jpg
[Advertising]
I doubt writing a poem about your show
, and then asking for you to use a word will make me the front runner. But I figure its worth a shot.
Smart is sexy, is her scholastic policy
Are you watching to watch Marina, or learn etymology?
She is a master wordsmith, and admits she’s a nerd
Your missing out on a lot, if you miss hot for words.
I would like to know the origin of the word [lyrics]? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Very good
, sexy is healthy; as schools: we policy swimmingly, watch entertainment of uttermost presentation, describing oral communication{WORDS} is how HotForWords {Republic of Lexicon} exuberantly and effectually, effervescency. 
[Poems and Lyrics] i 2nd that ipeoplewatch
Raspberry was great!
Hello, since we are on the topic of berries. I’m from [Saskatoon] Saskatchewan and would apreciate if you can solve this problem I’ve been having explaining, why my city is named after a [Saskatoon] berry. Or is it vis vera? And why is it called a [Saskatoon] anyway? Learning about Rasberrys in your last video. Does it have anything to do with [Sask] atchewan?
or sasquash…lol
I would like to request the phrases:
[green with envy] and [in for a penny in for a pound]
thanks a lot for your your consideration teacher!
Football term [The Immaculate Reception]
also [Encroachment]
Here in Sacramento much suburban land is owned by the lot owners right out to the center of the street. (Naturally they can’t use any of it occupied by the street or sidewalks.) If sidewalks must be built or already exist, you aren’t allowed to do any major improvements to buildings unless you first deed the land under the streets and sidewalks to the county so that they actually own it. Then (get this) if you need to do any sidewalk or driveway construction, you must first pay for an encroachment permit that allows you to build upon the county’s land.
They take it and then they rent it back to you.
It wont let me log in at the Stern Magazine post
OK I good now, but it took a few tries.
How about the word [Marshmallow]. It is one of many nicknames I have was called as a child, but as I grew older I changed it to Marshmellow, since I am to Mellow. On a side note how about the word [Mellow] as well.
Thanks and hope to hear back.
Marshmallows were named by an Irishman after the Marshes of Mallow, who noted the similarity of the spongy feel of the candy to that of a peat bog.
It’s true, I tell you!
.
OK, Bob, here’s one more for you & then off to bed for me.
Dafydd, the Welsh golfer, was known for frequently hitting his ball into the rough, or the pond, or the sand traps. Which earned him the nickname of “Dai ap Hazard.”
Does he have a Golfing blog or e-zine called Dai-ap-ha-zine?
Maybe Diazepam would help him relax.
Halli hallo Evan,
I have seriously pondered the issue last night. And I definitely think you should perfume too before you go sit yourself at these front rows of the class. Shaving is not enough I say. You may trade the roses for a bunch of raspberries though. That will bring a touch of originality to the portrait.
Night everybody gotta get a nap
Night night. Have a good sleep.
Night John.
BTW, the thorny cane in this video was that of the black raspberry. Red raspberries have much smaller thorns, slightly more raspy than a man’s beard.
***HFW historical note***
When Marina first started her YouTube channel, she considered calling herself “sxephil,” short for “Sexy Philologist.” But she changed her mind after deciding that, with a name like that, people would think she was a louchebag.
It’s true, I tell you!
I would like to request a food related word,the word is [HAMBURGER] as in “i would like a hamburger with french fries.
[Hamburger]
Football related words:
[ Blitz
Fumble
Punt
Tackle ]
Interesting thing about the word [touchdown]… in gridiron football, for a major score, the point is not to “touch it down” but to “break the plane”… of the goal line that is. But in Rugby the point is to touch the ball down in the end-zone & if you don’t touch it down in the end-zone, no points are awarded & oddly enough a touch down is not called a touchdown, it is called a “Try”.
Is a guy that plays “tight end” too long called a “wide receiver”? ah.. I’ll shuddup.
…member yet?
I would like to request the word [typo], meaning an error. Please investigate!
Thanks,
nickg001
typo = typographical
WLIU, originally it meant an error in typesetting (vs. in the author’s copy) as the two were done by separate persons. Now that we do our own typesetting by typing, it has come to mean a typing error, even if it was done by the author himself.
I would call that ‘an artificial fart in the crook of the arm’ because George Carlin called the armpit fart sounds, ‘an artificail fart under the arm’.
Damned if i know if there is any official answer
Marina sense you was in las vegas could you do the words [POKER @ CRAPS]
Hello Marina funny video
I would like to request the phrase [ hocus-pocus]
Teacher, I would like to request the word [Art] and the phrase [God Speed]. Thank you.
cvmercer
I was blown away by the etymology of [cat]
That goes well with [tomcat]
So why do they have nine lives?
Chatting with a cat is not only weird, it’s also a repetition!
They don’t. There are no do-overs.
OK, so I did make that thread.
http://www.hotforwords.com/forums/topic/show-your-face
Dear students, I urge you to come in front of the class, so we can see your face.
Mines there ChemiKal.
HI Mike whats the story with you and that tiger in the picture
The man that owns the tiger parks at malls and big stores and charges people to have their picture taken with a tiger. He stopped by the station and asked if we wanted a picture taken free of charge. So most of us got our pictures taken with the tiger.
OK I Thought maybe he was some one’s pet you got out from a fire thanks
I’m there ….. twice, in case you missed how ugly I am the first time – hehe!!! These things happen when you have your own web space
I was seeing that you wanted some football words on twitter, so where does the word [quaterback] come from?
Thanks so much,
Mat
I always knew it as “the bronx cheer”
I’d like to request the words [music video]
Thanks!
Russian Gas Begins To Flow Into Europe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/21/russia-europe-gas
I know, I can feel it.
And I’m cooking up.
Cooking up means fabricating or inventing something (said of an idea, but sometimes of a lie or a evil scheme). What are you cooking up?
thanks god!
Ahh, the iFart app.
I If you have noticed I am not as active as usual by the way.. I am busy with college work and my video.. So far I have only just downloaded the plug in stuff. It was 4 gb. So Iam still here!
Isn’t that what you were doing yesterday?
yes..
And today
OIC
Yessir James!
We were actually a little worried. Keep us informed about the progress of your video. Can’t wait to see it!
What is the origin of [provocative]? thanks
What is the orgin of [ buff]
WORD REQUEST OF SOLES!!!!!!!!
Hey ilikesexytime let me help you on your word request of [SOLES]. As Marina has changed the way she searches for word requests and wants these two brackets added on both sides of the word or words. The new change is highlighted in red just above the comment box. It’s new so it will take some time getting use to.
TA Mike
Whenever I go out to eat, I always order my food with a Raspberry Iced Tea instead of soda.
Since Barack Obama became the 44th President… the number 44, coincidently, got me thinking of a line from a Chris Rock movie.
That act is called a “skin fart” and has spawned an online magazine for fast persons (with rapid gas release).
One phrase I am puzzled by is “eating crow” – please parse dear teacher
Lady M has asked us to post them like this: [eating crow]
It’s not bad, tastes like chicken.
Okay, I think we need some music. I thought about Raspberry Beret, but I am just not in the mood for Prince right now. Then, I thought about Cherry Cherry, but even though Neil Diamond is one of my faves, that was not doing it for me either. Then, I figured if a cherry is a berry, then a Wilbury must be, too.
The Travelling Wilburys will do just fine.
We say that in Slovenia: prdanje
Are you now where Slovenia is???? xoxo
“There’s only one man who would dare give me the RASPBERRY…”
It’s called an Arm Fart
where can we get the card of that russian tv show?
I used to watch it – I love it too
Here is the wintry scene we have at my house now. It’s starting to melt some so it should be gone by Friday. Our snows don’t last to long. My son on the right and two of his friends bombarding the front door with snow balls as pictures were being taken. The snow was to powdery to make a snow man.
http://i44.tinypic.com/i3gqgy.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/oavtlh.jpg
Looks like fun!
Dang Cap, you could do some cross-country sking right there in the front yard.
All I’d need is a Quad, a peice of rope, and one of those snow saucer/sled things. Fun for hours… with a willing soul on the saucer of course.
That’s just the front yard the sides are bigger than that with out any obstruction. I don’t know why they didn’t think of that. One year we used a car hood to pull people around on.
You call that snow?
It’ s great that he had the opportunity to make some snow balls this year. I know snow isn’t the most common thing everywhere.
Most countries don’t even have 4 seasons, but 2 or 3, tops.
I have some class mates from Iraq, they have never even seen snow, before coming to Romania
Thanks for sharing the pix! I love seeing what people are up to while they are not on the web site.
Do you think it would be a good idea to start a thread in the forum, where we could post our own pix. I would name it “Show your face!“. But I don’t know, people can be so reticent at times, that I have no guarantee that anyone else, besides you maybe, would get into it.
It’s worth a try. There are other threads that don’t have many cementers so whats one more. People post there personal pics on the Twitter site so whey not the forums site.
Che has a couple of photo forums over there. Bob and Klaus post quite a bit in them. You could either start your own or just post your pics in one of those. I like the idea, though. I like putting a face with all these people.
wow , the coldest in my country is about 15-17 Celsius . And for that you still have to go up a mountain
It is beautiful country, there. I sailed through back in ‘87 or ‘88.
That looks cold
opps wrong comment
no it was the correct spot
Brain freeze?
brain raspberry
News Flash: President Obama has halted all prosecutions at Gitmo. First day in, let’s stir it up!
Sorry Bob I couldn’t help but laugh at your cat comment in the other section. I had an old, old tom that was to old he wouldn’t go the soy bean field to potty so he would use the planter pots on the front steps. So yea I know how funny that is.
Word request
[twerp]
Good one, Chemikal; it was one of my Dad’s favourite words.
Unfortunately the O.E.D. says “origin unknown”, so I’ll claim that Dad invented it, until Marina proves me wrong.
There are one or two theories as to its origin, one of which says that it’s an eponym; I find that the more likely because my father didn’t have any association with the other groups credited with coining it in the other theories.
So you’ve been called one before, right? (by dad, of course)
OK then, I hope she mentions twerp Bob also, if she decides to investigate!
I remember him calling other people twerps but I can’t recall him using it on me – maybe I have a super-selective memory, although he called me plenty of other unpleasant things until I was big enough to respond without fear of a hiding.
Bob do you have to subscribe to OED or is there a page you can enter a word to find the origin?
No, I’ve got the two volume doorstop edition; it’s getting a bit long in the tooth now and I suppose many new words have been added since it was printed, but it does for me combined with all the on-line free dictionaries.
Thanks Bob.
I didn’t really answer your question, did I – I believe you do have to subscribe to the on-line O.E.D., at least, I’m not aware of a free look-up facility for them.
Marina will surely be able to tell you, though.
I think I found one that will work, so thanks for the help.
http://www.etymonline.com/
Some great resources are listed in Lady M’s forum here
Why dont you use the dictionary program that came with the operating system?
Wow. That plant has grown fast.
They certainly have; she won’t be needing any scented candles while those Hyacinths are in bloom – heaven in a pot.
Do either of you know exactly what plant they are? I need some greenery in my study. A problem is that I have only one small window down here, very little sun light. The other problem is that I tend to have a black thumb.
It appears to be a mixed bowl of spring bulbs; I can definitely see white Hyacinths, Miniature Daffodils/Narcissus/Jonquils, and I think also Tulips (the red ones). There may also be some Crocuses and/or Snowdrops.
I did not know they could grow in a small container like that. All my bulbs are outside. Are they special bulbs?
I wouldn’t think so; their rapid growth is due to the indoor temperature and light levels, and being adequately fed and watered, and they will probably not do well if left in such a small container for a long time – it may be wise to plant them out in the garden after they have finished flowering.
Having said that, I have an Ameryllis Lily which was given to me as a Christmas present about 16 or 17 years ago, which is still in the same pot and gets nothing but water, and it produces one or two flower spikes with four flowers regularly every year. It just refuses to die.
She must be putting some Peters on it to help it grow. Don’t laugh Peters is a plant fertilizer.
Maybe she is using natural fertilizer. Just maybe…
Gorby fertilizer
Hehe, I was sure you’d think that.
But that doggy is so sweet, such that he probably poos sugar!
Don’t laugh Cap. That is a problem I am having with my cat right now. Maia has her box upsairs, and she also has one down in the study with me. The problem is, when she is upstairs with all the dogs, she likes to use Mrs. Somebody’s planters. I dunno, maybe she likes her privacy.
Hey Marina, I would like to request an odd word I heard a few days a go, and the word is [Exmortis]. If you can check into this word, I would be very greatful.
Would you take my word request in memory of my Golden Retriever?
Her name was [Nala] – As most noted from the 90’s Movie “The Lion King”
We had to put her down yesterday after finding she had cancer with no alternatives . She was a good, loving, and gentle friend for almost 12 years.
I want to do a photo book of all of our memories and her name is most notable but I’m finding many different meanings for it and I’d like to know what the most common meaning for [Nala] is. It’s my understanding [Nala] comes or is used in the Swahili language.
I’d be ever so greatful if you wouldn’t mind someday doing this as a word.
Here is a picture of my best friend, [Nala] – > http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=649277
Thanks again….
I think they can only officially be called a ZERBERT if performed on somebody’s [TUMMY]. Volunteers? Maybe you could make it a prize for the next GTWG.
I was just thinking the same word.
A sad man walks sadly into a bar.
He orders a bear, but visibly troubled by his problems, he neglects it.
Another man sees this, and thought he should play a practical joke on him. So the man proceeds to drink the sad bloke’s beer.
After he saw that his beer had disappeared, the sad guy burst into tears!
Then the joker said that it was OK, he’d buy him another one.
But that still didn’t stop him from crying.
Through his tears he begins to explain that his wife left him, taking away his house, his car, and emptied his bank accounts.
He even tried to hang himself, but the rope broke.
He even tried to shoot himself, but the revolver got stuck.
Then he added:
“And now, with my last money on Earth, I buy myself a beer and some poison, and you come along and drink them like an asshole!”
I sort of made it up, you like?
Karma is a bitch. Steal a man’s beer, and the universe will make you pay, big time.
I thought that was pretty cool joke if you did make it up. Do you mind if I use it sometime as you are the inventor ® of the sad tale.
I heard of a guy who walked into a mining lab where he worked and saw a beaker full of what he thought was water sitting on the counter. He was thirsty, so he drank it. It was cyanide.
I don’t know if it is true or not.
@Bob and Evan (&CJ, if he wakes up) Ihave been told that my surname is Welsh in origin. The name is Sudduth, which I have been told means “from the south” or “southlander.” I have seen other spellings, the most common around here is Suddreth. Do you know of any Sudduths over on that side of the Pond, and have you heard mention of this name? I know one of you cats knows something about this. I appreciate any help you can give.
Never heard of that name before, Bob, but here are a couple of links I’ve found which may be of interest:-
Suddreth family history
FamilyHistory.com
Sudduth surname – Google search
Thx. I am checking these out. I am really interested to gain some firsthand knowledge, especially from the old country.
A cat can be willing to help, but if you don’t understand its MIAU-ing, a helpful cat is of no help at all.
…says the dog at the keyboard
Afraid I can’t help either, off the top of my head. Welsh for south is de, pronounced “day,” so the name would not likely be of Welsh origin (though there are a number of non-Welsh names associated with Wales.) Sud is a variation on the Spanish word for “south”, as seen in “Sudamérica.”
But I can’t really put together anything from the clues.
Except…I do remember something about Spaniards coming to Wales during the coal boom of the late 1800s to work in the mines. Who knows, maybe it’s some sort of Spanish-Welsh hybrid (like the Spanish-Irish “McLopez”). I’ve heard of stranger things, not to mention inventing them.
Clarification: CJ and I both live in Washington State. My home town of Renton was formerly an immigrant Welsh coal-mining town, as were the nearby communities of Newcastle and Black Diamond; the language was still heard in the streets of Renton during my childhood in the ’50s.
see below.
Evan’s mention of “sud” being Spanish for south reminds me of two points which may prompt further ideas:-
, Prince Charles 
)
1. Sud is also French for south, as in Sud Aviation, one of the original French nationalized aircraft manufacturers which has grown and morphed into Aerospatiale and Airbus Industries.
2. There are still to this day Welsh communities in South America, in Argentine Patagonia, where one can hear Welsh spoken on a daily basis. (The above is a very amusing link – rugby balls
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reminder of Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony) in Patagonia. A few years ago I read the Dyddiadur y Mimosa (Diary of the Mimosa) story of the Welsh emigrants to Argentina.
One of the historical oddities of this colony is that there were Welsh fighting on both the Argentine and British sides during the Falklands war. There was an apocryphal story that the Sheffield was sunk by a Welsh-Argentinian pilot who heard the ship radio its location in Welsh (which has long been used as a British military code, like Navajo in WWII), then flew to its location and launched an Exocet missile at the ship.
Afterthought — Prince Charles actually did take the trouble to learn some Welsh, allegedly the first English Prince of Wales since 1282 to have bothered to do so. Chwarae teg iddo fe!
Hmm… I guess Welsh may not be the place to look. methinks this geneology may take some actual research. I reckon I will put this on my list of things to do when I get spare time in the summer – of 2011.
Thx for the input, anyhooz.
Thanks for expanding my vocabulary/helping me understand the origin of so many WORDS. I liked hearing about BOOBS now could you tell us about [Uranus]? Seriously!! Inquiring minds want to know!!
Intelligence is HOT!
I was wondering…
There are two different spellings used “out there”… [godess and goddess].
For a woman to be described as a goddess… they say she has to have double d’s… is this true or is this just a tale blown out of proportion? hmmm?
Sounds like a Storm in a “D” cup to me.
Off to bed I go….. Yeah its ten till 8 am. What’s it to you?
I’m beginning to think that you’re a vampire, Jack.
Maybe it’s not a boat. Maybe it’s a giant coffin that he just says is a boat.
CJ, you’re not the only fan whom HFW has kept awake all night!
Mmm Raspberries, my favourite…
Homework: Splurzz? Fiizzp? Onomatopoeia?
a letter I ’sent’ (your YouTube):
I finally wrote a link directly to your YouTube-profile from http://is.gd/gHAW on Xomba.com.
Sure, I’ll still link to most of your individual videos (ether from there or from http://hotforhotforwords.blogspot.com/), but I’ll be putting ‘http://is.gd/gHAW’ in my comment-signature there!
All the Love There Is!
MythMan
***Word request: [Avocado]***
Not just a fruit, but a mystery or two. Bob (as long as we’re doing puns in Nahuatl), and our friends from Mexico, help me out!
1. While at the home of a friend of mine, a chemical engineer and inveterate punster, I commented on the all the moles in his lawn. “Yes, I’m planning to raise avocados.”
2. I asked a couple of Mexican friends if they like avocados. José replied, “No, as your Shakespeare would say, let’s kill them all!” Miguel commented, “No, you need avocados if you run out of huevos {eggs}!” Whereupon they both whooped and giggled as if the remark were indecently funny.
What’s going on here, guys? LossForWords must instigate!
Addendum: Nahuatl pun
Very clever comeback of yours, too.
Evan, you know that Avocados are used to make Guacamole, and preliminary investigation reveals that mole is a Mexican dish – some sort of puree or sauce.
Could this be the answer?
Also, I seem to remember someone saying that “avocados” is slang for “testicles” because of the shape and the hard stone inside.
And another thing, an avocado is an advocate or lawyer, hence the quip about killing them all.
The “guacamole” reply was very creative — but the clue was “chemical engineer.”
I’ll be back at the end of the day.
OK, so anything to do with the Mole as a unit of measurement, used in Chemistry, which is Celebrated annually on October 23, Mole Day ?
The Mole is also known as Avogadro’s Number (6.02 x 10^23) and for a given molecule, one mole is a mass (in grams) whose number is equal to the atomic mass of the molecule.
What? What?
Did someone call for me?
MOOOLE!
Sorry, I get an “Internal Server Error.”
Wait…there it is! Perverse! Twisted!
Lost for words…Evan Owen…you are cool…later, as i correct my wisdom
Avocado: the answers
OK, Bob’s about four for five on this one, catching the puns on moles, avocados and Avogadro’s, the “testicle” and “lawyer” connections, plus adding the “guaca-mole” twist.
Seattle’s Anu Garg (The Dord, the Diglot, and an Avocado or Two) gives the etymology as follows:
Which leaves only one more piece of the puzzle: huevos (eggs) is Mexican Spanish slang for “testicles,” hence if you’re out of “huevos,” you can substitute avocados.
Sorry Bob, I have no Ipod to send, and I’m sure you don’t want MY hot calendar, but kudos nonetheless!
Thanks for the Kudos, Evan; how many can I take, or are there only the two?
), so I didn’t think to spell it out.
“Eggs” is also a euphemism for testicles in Thai (and for that matter in English in some connections – “sausage and eggs” cf. “pork and beans” cf. banana and kiwis, depending on the culture/agriculture.
[signifies]
yeah its arabic
[Qzaib]
***True confessions game***
OK, HFW fans, fess up. How bad is your HFW addiction? Have you ever done any of the following?
1. Awoken out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night with an idea for a word request or other comment on the HFW site?
2. Had fantasies about being married to or otherwise intimiately involved with Lady Marina?
3. Learned some Russian to try to impress her?
4. Kissed your computer screen back when she blows kisses at it?
5. Had your wife or significant other complain about your “obsession” with HFW?
6. Secretly logged onto HFW during your break at work? Or worse,
7. Interrupted your co-workers to watch a particularly good HFW video?
8. Other (oh, pleeeease describe!):
Please write your answers in the comments below. For short, you may refer to them by number.
While driving to work the other day, I was trying to think of Russian-English cognates. Is чистый related to ["chaste"]? видеть to ["video"]? Now that’s obsessive!
Yea something like that, except i am not that wordy.
I passed out in my chair for two days waiting for the answer to guess the word game. My left hand was buried in a bag of Survival Trail Mix and my right hand still glued to my mouse. When I lifted my head up from the computer desk, a half-smoked cigarette was stuck to my forehead… (and my dog ate all my hotdogs!)
I know that this is perfectly normal… I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM!!!
# 1
Hmm …
1. Once or twice.
3-8. No.
2. Fifth Amendment.
Nope, never suffered from any of these syndromes myself.
Chief, I think you should shave, bring a bunch of roses and sit in the front rows of the class.
Quzaib
Arabic?
***WORD REQUEST:[Cockney rhyming slang]***
“Raspberry tart” as rhyming slang reminds me of “trouble and strife” for “wife” and “God forbid!” for “kid” (child). Maybe we can get James to come up with some more Cockney rhyming slang for a video; I’m sure he gets out of Portland and over to London occasionally.
Wow,you bruise easily Marina. If we ever get into a wrestling match I’ll have to get you a Michelin man suit.
Gee Jack do you think it might be makeup?
Hello!
word request [DELIRIUM]
A Gorby call?
Imagine having company over.
Dinner’s ready, faaaaaaab.
Ah gee, it works for the dog.
A state dinner, faaaaab, dinner is served.
A new Fad.
I believe it is called a ‘Bronx Cheer’.
Eric M
Woah , Miss Orlova is in this sxephil video
Phillip is a bit weird sometimes. He has done similar videos like that in the past. He did post a link on his YT page.
Woah, just clicked the link and got “This video has been removed due to terms of use violation.”
In some of my occasional studies of my Welsh background, I have found a reference that Welsh sailors called penguins, Great Auks. how in the heck do you get Penguins from Auks?
Origin request [Great Auks] and [Penguins]
Is that why you became an Auksilliary Coastguard?
There is no such thing…
Oh, really?
I’m not part of any Axillary Coast Guard. I’m merely licensed by the CG. My drivers license doesn’t say I am officer of the DMV.
Forgive my AUKward attempt to amuse you; maybe I should have said, “You ought to become an Auksiliary Coastguard.”
Bore da, CJ,
As Welsh morwyr, they obviously could not call the birds “penguins,” because that’s Welsh for “white head” (pen gwyn) and the birds have black heads. As far as “auk”, I’ll fall back on my onomatopoeia explanation. (Think of a penguin’s call.)
As long as I’m free-associating, let’s look at “morwyr” — “sailors” or literally, “sea men.” (Bob, no puns on this!)
Mor is cognate with Latin mar as in “marine;” wyr is related to Latin vir as in “virile” or old English wer as in “werewolf” (q.v.) 
Tan tra nesaf,
Evan
OK, no puns, I’ll be content with sharing a name with Marina.
Since it’s the first syllable of my surname, I have been known as “Mor” for much of my working life, but still wonder about the meaning of the second syllable “ris”; does “ris” correspond to anything in Welsh?
Since it means “mother”, and is pronounced similar to “mord”, which means “murder”, and “more” meaning to amuse or entertain, the “Mor” was the subject of ridicule in Scandinavia, until I pointed out that in Gaelic it means “Great” and in Thai it is “a wise man”.
Thus my mission is to gain, and pass on, wisdom and to entertain, and slay, with my [quirky] sense of humour.
Morris is a common name in Wales, though I’ve never come across its meaning. The Gaelic “mor” is “mawr” in Welsh. As far as “ris…”
• “Rhys” is another common Welsh name;
• “Rhysedd” means “excess,” “pomp” or “glory”
• “Rhysfa” means “fortress.”
So perhaps “Morris” means “great excessively pompous glorious fortress.”
Or it might be an abbreviation of the Sassenach “more risible.”
Hmm … I prefer Glorious Mariner myself; puts me in some good company.
Of course someone with no imagination (a non-Celt) would simply look at the evidence and say “Morris” means “big and strong.”
BTW, as far as the “no puns,” I was only referring to the obvious one that would be in poor taste.
Oh great now there is no way Marina will do the video lesson on this.
Oh come on now, CJ, I explained “handkerchief” and she did a video just to correct me! See — I’ve probably IMPROVED your chances!
Now that I think about it I could just go buy an OED and a bunch of other books, do my own research and have no more need for HFWs.
My, aren’t we cheerful today! OED can’t match HFW for delivery!
B.B.
Correction, no longer need to buy the OED, just the other books.
Businessmen, politicians and lawyers look more like penguins than sailors. Believe me.
Here’s a rain of them.
Or a “René”!
A couple is at the park
The girl suddenly feels an urge to fart , and thought up a way to disguise the sound
Girl says to the boy : Did you hear about the boo-goo bird ? It makes a funny sound . I’ll show you , Boo (farts) – Goo . Sounds funny isn’t it ?
Boy : Can’t hear it , the fart is too loud
Real hard to translate the joke from Chinese … but there you are
Good job, we get it.
By the way, do you speak Malay as well as Chinese?
Oh yeah , I’m Malaysian Chinese
Selamat malam.
Bob, I swear, you’re a regular Richard Burton (the explorer, not the actor.) He said he’d never go anywhere he couldn’t speak the language, but he wanted to go everywhere, so he ended up speaking about 60.
Origin request [jaywalker]
Oh and [blah blah blah]
Hmm … I came here for the adult education class but seem to have ended up in the kindergarten.
Oh well, as long as I’m here I might as well leave this nice cushion on the teacher’s chair – notice the target age bracket in the description – one question, though, shouldn’t “No manual-blowing required” really be “No oral blowing …”?
What’s that? Oral blowing IS still required? Oh gooood.
Bob, just got in from a night of fun, I will miss the breakfast club tomorrow.
No problems,
have a good [kip].
Is there a name for that ? Skin blowing ?
In class , i do that when lying on the table
Marina Marina Marina…
That video reminds me that where I come from people also refer to scrapes and little injuries as “raspberries”.
WORD REQUEST!!!
I’ve been trying to interest my friends in your lessons and as we watched your videos one friend told me he was bored. So of course, I called him a philistine! It made me wonder who are these Philistines and why do they have such a bad reputation?
P.S. Of course your videos aren’t boring, darned Philistines.
[Philistines]
sxe Philistine!
In the thumbnail, did you appreciate M’s pursed lips just poised to blow us a belly raspberry.
Ooohh, that tickles.
raspberry tart ==
By the end of the video was SWEET!
hahaha your raspberries were very cute marina
gorby always pops his head into view LOL i wish my cat would do that ahaha but hes always sleeping on my bed 
word request!
[cat walk]
A catwalk is a walkway for humans so narrow that, presumably, only a cat would feel comfortable upon it. They are typically installed where there is little traffic, i.e. to grant service or inspection access to equipment, etc. and where light-weight construction is advantageous.
I keep my cat Sweety Pie near a metal recycling yard. There was an airplane wing standing leading-edge down waiting to be cut up. The trailing edge was less than a half an inch wide, yet she jumped up on the trailing edge and walked right across the length of the wing without batting an eye. Now that was a true “catwalk.”
CK has inadvertently hinted at the true origin of catwalk, a long narrow stage where models parade and show off the clothes they’re wearing (or almost wearing).
For his cat to walk along that airplane wing, it had to carefully place its paws in front of each other on the centreline of the wing edge, and that is the way models are taught to walk, to make them appear sexier.
Apparently people prefer to offer definitions and not origins of the words, which first appeared in 1917 I believe. “Modes of Movement”, a catwalk show by the Marks brothers. Well that’s my guess of the first documented use of the word. I’m sure M will come up with something 17th century or earlier.
Don’t want to steal Milady’s thunder, do we.
I have the data to answer the question but I withheld that information for I would rather have M do the video on it. I was just putting out a tickler. It’s obvious that the word existed before 1917 hence it was used in a film after the fact.
I think cats can see and hear the world like a true artist. That’s why they sleep a lot. Or perhaps they never really sleep. They just dream like dolphins.
Classless, I know, but I had a supervisor who would walk the job with me throughout a well known factory, and as happenstance would have it one afternoon, we entered through a doorway into a room full of female workers, me first. He was skilled at making the fart sound by blowing on his open hand, and that he did, quickly closing the door, leaving me standing there all by my lonesome as the women turned and looked at me as the farting culprit. Of course, there was no explaining what really happened to them, and I knew he was holding the door shut tight, so I just made my exit through the door that seem so very far away. He also would bring in fart capsules and break them on the floor to bring mayhem to the morning meetings called by his own supervisor. Paid by the hour. The best practical joker was by this dude who liked to ride in crowded elevators, standing behind everyone, he’d make a fart noise and then softly say, “Sorry” to his captive audience, as he watched their faces scrunch.
WORD REQUEST SOLES OR TOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLZ DO THIS
You must do it like this : [SOLES]
Maybe you shouldn’t ask so much… you’re not the only person fond of feet.
I’ve always thought they were called a “zerbert” (sp). I remember them using that term on the Cosby Show way back when.
Yeah! Nonconformists rock!
[trip the light fantastic]
how do you type the sound for a raspberry?
I keep trying, but my keyboard is getting slimy.
The preferred spelling according to the 2008 Rude Addendum to the Oxford English Dictionary is “Pbbbbbbt!”
It’s true, I tell you.
Marina, I noticed you named the YT video “iFart”.
I’ll bet you one shinny quarter you have that app.
If so, could you do a supplemental video to this lesson and share it with us?
Now THAT would be fun!
I wouldn’t mind receiving one of your raspberries, Marina. I don’t consider you an unkind person. There at the end, though, it did seem like you could use a little more practice.
While watching part of a drama from last week, I was reminded of a word I wanted to request. [maelstrom] I’ll throw in a second just for good measure. [flummox]
We seem to be running you ragged like a Playboy bunny with her tail cut off. Okay, I’m not sure exactly what that means, but let me enjoy the visual.
As always, thank you for your consideration.
Marina, Thank you for the funny show.
Now I have to wipe off my computer screen.
HW: Bronx Cheer.
By jove I think You’ve got it. I haven’t heard that expression in years, but I have heard it before… even up here in Canadia
Unfortunately, since M is on the inside of your monitor, you have to wipe the inside of the glass. Since this is physically impossible, you must use the software method of cleaning it — watching 5 minutes of Bounty and Windex commercials.
I have never seen such a display of sound and lip-tongue action.
OK stop smiling, I just meant that I have no way of knowing how to solve my homework.
I love her tongue action plus sound. I’m getting thirsty.
Whaaaaat?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKWSmhdXoBk
woooow… I just don’t know what to say about this…
OH, I know what to say, I just won’t.
If that’s all he can see, then I’m just ashamed we share the same race!
Sometimes the wisest choice of words are no words at all.
speakwell gave us a good word for it!
I think, Phil wants attention and his video rated one star. Thanks Chemikal, not much to say about that louche bag…other than he is a fart that smells
Fly “Spirit Airlines” for adventure & fees you can count on.
Hes probably just havin’ some fun…. After all, the ball was in his court.
He should have bumperstickers made that say F sxephil , he’d sell a million of ‘em!
I was a little worried about you Marina… Maria accused you of being one of Fernándo’s putas!
A couple of my old requests… well ones I can remember, [inuendo] & [sacrosanct]
didn’t check my spelling though. Going to try a video request, I hope… soon as I can figure out the panasonic “upload edit thingy”.
Great find BillyB.
Someone posted it on twitter. I know Marina is not the homewrecker type, but I’m sure a few wives are jealous of her, albeit if they weren’t, Marina’s fragile ego may be hurt
Very funny & close to the truth, Spanish women tend to be jealous and possessive even when they hate you.
Ay ay ay, dios mio!
Arriva, arriva, muchacho, and ole, and ole, cabron!
I have no idea of what I’ve just said, and that makes me feel great! [Ignorance IS bliss!]
I could translate, but won’t spoil your bliss!
Who were you talking to on the phone?
I hope your sister is doing well too, we haven’t heard from her in a while.
Oh look now we have adds for jams and jelly’s; ummmm good!; ummmm good!; that what jam’s and jelly’s are ummm good!.
Must be considered contraband in Canada… no ads showing up for me
although my pusher has a Raspberry-Apple Jelly that he smuggled into the country, specially for me 
Its what my bro does when he gets something or what some girls do to me for no reason, or if I do something stupid, which means they do it a lot!
I just remember calling it “blubbering.”
But seriously, am I the only one to notice a raspberry-colored blemish on your lovely right arm? I hope that’s not skin cancer!
Perhaps you burned yourself while cooking? (I volunteer to kiss it and make it better 
)
Please reassure your students you are okay.
You’ll notice the blemish occurs after I blow into my arm
blemish aka. lipstick
Strangly enough, the blemish looks like a raspberry
Good morning before morrow morning Lady Marina.
