Don't insult me with a fandangle;
just stop now, and let us not wrangle.
Your words are a kickshaw,
desist! Use them no more,
you show-off -- just what is your angle?
Commit not a mulctable trespass,
you really just come off a dumb-ass;
a mooncalf rapscallion,
there ain't no medallion
for blowhards pretending they're high-class!
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Author Notes
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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