Word For The Day: GOBEMOUCH

[Louis Foxwell]

;

---

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".

Gobemouche

hear it pronounced

adjective

Definition:

a credulous person; especially : one who believes everything he or she hears

Examples:

"The Gobemouche abounds in clubs, coffee-houses, Capel Courts, Bellamy's, and all old women's tea-parties." – Punch, or the London Charivari, 1857

Gobemouche is evidence that certain unpleasant things, when cloaked in the veneer of French, can sound rather pleasant.

About the Word:

The word rolls off the tongue easily, and sounds quite lovely; however, if we look at the etymology it more or less translates to "fly gulper" (from the French gober, meaning "to swallow whole", and mouche, meaning "fly").

[Louis Foxwell]

Here is a word we can all enjoy. For sheer ridicule there is much to appreciate. Find a likely candidate and have at it, fellow wordsmiths.

Generous acknowledgement of your efforts will be provided to one and all.

[Louis Foxwell]

I searched for a ridiculous word we could all apply to our favorite goat. Here is my best effort.

[RedStateRocker]

Should be a ping list, IMHO.

[Fledermaus]

Thanks for the site that just e-bombed me until I had to shut down.

[Fledermaus]

Probably because I refuse to trust MS and haven’t moved from Vista and thus only get IE9.

[RedStateRocker]

Forgive my ignorance; I see it is a topic, but don’t see a way to be pinged... Thanks!

[biff]

LOL, so this is a real word!!!! I thought it was “Fun With English” game with Al Sharpton as the host.

[Louis Foxwell]

Would you like to be on the ping list?

[Louis Foxwell]

Perhaps. The only link is to the pronunciation.

[Louis Foxwell]

Sharpton is certainly a good candidate. He is gullible to a fault. Use the word and get an award.

[DannyTN]

Why not use gullible instead. At least people would understand you, whether or not they believe everything they hear.

[lee martell]

It sounds theatrical and looks like Olde English. A Top Hatted, Black Caped Villain whispering a warning to two cringing children in a J.K. Rowlings novel.

[DannyTN]

Lol, it does. It could be a slytherin character. Goblemuch.

[DannyTN]

Lol, it does. It could be a slytherin character. Goblemuch.

[lee martell]

The Villain drags out the last syllable, producing a long slow hiss, one reeking of halitosis. “Gobe-Mousssshhhhh!”

[Louis Foxwell]

Would not be nearly as much fun.

[shibumi]

"Gobemouche is evidence that certain unpleasant things, when cloaked in the veneer of French, can sound rather pleasant."

"The French don't care what they ~do~ actually
As long as they pronounce it properly."

(From the pattersong "Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?" - Sung by Professor Henry Hill in "My Fair Lady.")

Word for tomorrow - "Pattersong" or "Patter song."
Click here for an example.

[Louis Foxwell]

The word is a noun, not an adjective. Thanks to Chicory for finding my error.

[Louis Foxwell]

One of the most slithering of critters. Thank you for the memory.

[camle]

is that like the giant whale with a bad disposition - mobygrouch?