Archive for: Cummingtonight

Nerd Word of the Day: Cummingtonight

Cummingtonight: (′kəm·iŋ·tə′nīt) A basic silicate of magnesium and ferrous iron,

(Mg, Fe)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂,

that is an amphibole mineral similar to anthophyllite but monoclinic and with more iron, and that occurs as fibres and lamellae in metamorphic rocks.

This mineral was found by Dr. J. Porter in a town called Cummington, Massachusetts. He named the mineral after the town, adding the -ite suffix to signify that it’s a mineral.

I saw this word in a post on Digg that was titled: She Will Definitely Be Cummingtonight. I don’t get the joke.. how can a woman be a mineral?  Hmmm…