Tuesday, April 03, 2012

C is for Curwibble


{Photo taken today by my home.}

Continuing in the alphabetical series for April, started here, I bring you the letter C and one of my favourite words from the Dictionary of Newfoundland English.

I wrote a post a while back on the many, many words the Irish have for intoxication. Far, far more than the reputed Inuit words for 'snow'. You can check that post out here if you wish.

And now we get to add to that list with the magnificent Curwibble and it is defined thusly:

Unsteady or fantastic motions of man or beast such as those caused by too many glasses - he was cutting the curwibbles alright.

Curwibbling - sounds far too dignified for the condition, doesn't it?

20 comments:

  1. Never heard of that word but I've probably experienced it. The list if you haven't found it yet is at:

    http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2012-to-z-challenge-sign-up-list.html


    Lee
    A Few Words
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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  2. I should think a good boil-up would help cure the curwibbles... don't you just love words!

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  3. Lee:
    No the link you supplied just gives me blurb but no complete link to ALL participants in this challenge. Very frustrating as I want to visit some every day!
    XO
    WWW

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  4. Pauline:
    Yes, passionate about words!
    XO
    WWW

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  5. Dignified maybe,colourful yes. I think it could also be the name of a species of bird as in "Dear come see this unsteady Curwibble on the window sill."

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  6. A lovely word, I thought at first that was the actual name of the little vessel, like a curricle.

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  7. Actually it sounds like one of those weird local customs. "The High Street will be closed on Wednesday for the annual Cutting the Curwibble festivities."

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  8. GFB:
    Interestingly enough, the "wobbly bird" is localese for the loon!
    XO
    WWW

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  9. Friko:
    I was thinking of trolling through my short stories and see if I could use this as a title for one!
    XO
    WWW

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  10. Nick:
    Yes, dammit there should be a festival, I can see all the bodies rolling in the gutters.
    And crooked bunting everywhere.
    XO
    WWW

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  11. We would call that language a dialect. It's different enough to qualify as one. I love the different words you've come up with so far. This last one is great. I hope I never do it, though. xox

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  12. Curwibble - now I can imagine an animated movie with lots of wee curwibbles falling around glasses in hand. They are aliens, ya know, who hid in Newfoundland when their craft crashed into the sea nearby. And they just adore the local brews.
    :-)

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  13. Well Newfoundland English, Irene, is a dialect of its own. Mix of Irish, Cornwall, Devon, etc. I never cease to be enchanted with it!
    XO
    WWW

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  14. T:
    Oh the best idea yet! I love saying the word to myself and to have wee curwibbles falling about is delightful!!
    XO
    WWW

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  15. Lovely word! It makes me think of water surfaces in the sun, with reflections going to and fro and round and about in that uneven way.

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  16. Curwibbling - I love it! I have written it down in a wibbling fashion for future use! ;)

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  17. Curwibbling will certainly result in plain scribbling at the time of signing the check!

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  18. Your word series is marvelous. I'll be thinking about curwibble all day; might even cut a curwibble this weekend.

    p.s. I found you via Verna Wilder.

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