Today's word:

mulctable (adj.) Punishable. Deserving of a fine or penalty.

For those who just want a quick summary of this offering without diving for the dictionary, it basically says don't use archaic or arcane language to impress. Such devices should be severely frowned upon ;-)

For those who do want some explanation, the following definitions of arcane or archaic words might be helpful:

blowhard: boastful person.
fandangle: useless but elaborate ornament.
kickshaw: something showy but without value.
mooncalf: a foolish person.
rapscallion: a rascal, rogue or scamp.
trespass: sin.

and one more, which is neither arcane nor archaic, but might help with interpretation...

irony: a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. If in doubt, check the category information at the top.


My much-treasured Christmas present for 2017 is a book by Paul Anthony Jones: "The cabinet of linguistic curiosities". Each page contains a descriptive story about some obscure or archaic word. It occurred to me it would be a fun exercise to try and write, each day, a poem featuring the "word of the day" from the book.

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