Q.
Scandals are piling up so quickly these days, it’s hard to keep them straight. Wait, who did that again? We’re going to need some more descriptors; one story sounds just like the last. Are there any ancient or abandoned words ready to spring back into action?

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A.

The plot thickens …

Bedswerver
Well, this one is self-explanatory. Swerving from one bed to another.

Blatherskite
A person who blabs on and on about nothing.

Bogglish
Doubtful. Skittery

Chocolate House
A place for gossip, spirited political debate, and the consumption of chocolate drinks. Popular in the 18^th Century.

Deipnosophist
Someone who is particularly adept at making meal-time conversation.

Flam
A lie. A ruse.

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The Cardsharps. Caravaggio. 1595

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Franion
An undisciplined hedonist.

Fuddle
To make one drunk.

Galligaskins
Baggy or loose-fitting breeches.

Golconda
A gem-filled mine; a serious source of wealth.

Ignavy
Lazy. Slothful.

Jobbernowl
An unbelievably stupid person.

Lurries
Things that are easy to pocket and steal, like money or jewellery.

Miaul
To cry like a cat.

Mountebank
A fraud. Someone who assumes a false identity or claims to have skills they do not.

Mulct
To swindle or de-fraud.

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Georges de la Tour. The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs. 1630-34

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Nod-crafty
A person able to use the slow nod to convince others of their deep wisdom.

Otiose
Lazy. Indolent. Futile.

Pecksniffian
A hypocrite. A reprobate pretending to be guided by strict morals. See Mr. Seth Pecksniff in Charles Dickens’ ‘The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit’.

Perfidiousness
Adultery. Betrayal. Treachery

Rakehell
A lewd player.

Satisdiction
Saying just enough.

Scranch
To unapologetically crunch or crackle your food .

Scumble
To cover a painting with a light coating of semi-opaque colour.

Tongue-pad
A slick smooth-talker.

Travel-tainted
Utterly exhausted after excessive travel.

Zouch
An ill-kempt, slouching man.

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www.justcurious.ca

Header: Édouard Manet. In The Conservatory. 1879