Speaking of American folklore, here's a word-of-the-day attributed to folk hero Davy Crockett:
Ripsnorter: (n.) -- a person or thing that is strikingly active, forceful, exciting, wild, rambunctious, or a striking example of its kind.
“Of all the ripsnorters I ever tutched upon, thar never war one that could pull her boat alongside of Grace Peabody.” -- attributed to Davy Crockett, Farmer's Almanac, 1840
Davy was also credited with coining nonsense phrases and words supposedly used by "mountain men" -- e.g., circumflustercated and scentoriferous.
N.B. Anyone who can sing The Ballad of Davy Crockett in full -- in front of the class -- will be granted 50 extra credit points for the quarter. "Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee..."
Wow! 50?!?! That's tempting....
ReplyDeleteIs there a date by which this needs to be done?
ReplyDeleteLet's see, Larry. That's a good question. The answer is: Monday, September 14 will be the final day for singing the "Ballad of Davy Crockett." Break a leg!
ReplyDelete