Date:  Wed, 3 May 1995 08:40:34 -0700

From:  Peter McGraw <pmcgraw[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CALVIN.LINFIELD.EDU>

Subject: Re: Cross-post: on n X short of a Y



On Wed, 3 May 1995, David Muschell wrote:



> > Up here in Vermont, we could say one log short of a cord of wood. Or how

> >about one cow short of a herd?(BTW, if the plural of goose is geese, why is-

> >n't the plural of moose meese?)Jeezum crow!

>

> Why don't we say:

>

> "You look very sheveled today (neat, well-groomed)"

> "You look kempt (same)"

> "I am very appointed in you (feeling good about)"

> "I am feeling gruntled (happy)"

> "Furl that flag (fold it)!"



I don't know about flags, but sails can be furled - i.e., rolled up.



> "I am traveling cognito (identifying myself to everyone)"

> "His toward behavior was flattering to her (favorable)"

> "She advertently demanded a raise (purposefully)"

> "They planned their trip very petuously (same)"

> "She eptly walked through the crowd (gracefully)"

> "Yes, you may speak to him. He is capacitated (alert, aware)"

> "We waited a terminable time for his arrival (not that long)"

> "I have many givings about this situation (good feelings)"

> "The teacher enjoyed her ruly class (orderly)"

>

> ???????

>

> David Muschell

> Georgia College

> (with promptu help from Jack Winter)

>



I remember my high school Latin and French teacher (who also taught

English) once reading a poem in class that featured nonexistent words like

the above. All I remember was one line in the middle:



"Intro? Extro? No, he's just a vert."



and the last line:



"Certive, choate, loof."



Is there anyone out there who has also heard that poem, and better yet,

has a copy of it?



Peter McGraw

Linfield College

McMinnville, OR