Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #72
March 29, 2009
(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)
72.) Empyreal
-adjective
a.) Of the sky; celestial.
b.) Elevated; sublime.*
[Origin: From the Middle English emperiall, derived from the Medieval Latin empyreus, meaning "fiery."]
*How, in my opinion, many members of the tribe appear in their true state.
Balderdash for the Medieval Gay
March 22, 2009
(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)
71.) Fribble
-noun singular, adjective, or verb
a.) A frivolous or contemptible person or thing.*
b.) To act in a trifling or foolish manner; to act frivolously.
c.) Of little importance; trifling.
[Origin: Unknown.]
*Members of the tribe are often thought of as constantly fribbling, and although many certainly do, others simply have such behavior at their disposal for those times when it is absolutely appropriate.,
Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #70
March 15, 2009
(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)
70.) Tarantism
-noun singular
a.) The irresistible urge to dance.*
b.) A malady of late medieval Europe characterized by dancing mania.
[Origin: from new Latin tarantismus, deriving from the name of the Italian town of Taranto.]
*From the 15th to 17th centuries, the city of Taranto in southern Italy was the center of the phenomenon of tarantism which ultimately spread across most of southern Europe. The bite of a large and very venomous wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula), similar in appearance to various true tarantulas, is thought to have caused the affliction. The dance known as the Tarantella may have evolved from the wild dances of the malady’s victims. In my opinion, tarantism is less a disease, and more a natural characteristic of true members of the tribe, for who, among the faeries can deny the presence of such an urge?
Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #69
March 8, 2009
(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)
69.) Ungulate
-adjective or noun singular
a.) Having hooves.
b.) Belonging or pertaining to the Ungulata, a former order of all hoofed mammals, now divided into the odd-toed perissodactyls and even-toed artiodactyls.
c.) One of several hoofed mammals including horses, zebras, donkeys, cattle, bison, rhinoceroses, camels, hippopotamuses, goats, pigs, sheep, giraffes, okapis, moose, deer, tapirs, antelopes, and gazelles.*
[Origin: From the Latin ungulatus, meaning "having claws or hooves." ]
*Although rarely recognized or mentioned, centaurs, fauns, and satyrs, all with prancing hooves, must also fall into the category of ungulates!
Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #68
March 1, 2009
(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)
68.) Ophidian
-adjective
a.) Of, relating to, or resembling snakes.*
[Origin: From the Greek ophis meaning "snake."]
*Early divinity in ophidian form, once deeply revered and venerated, has, perhaps beginning with the advent of Christianity, since been loathed, feared, and frequently misunderstood. The resemblance of a certain human male appendage to serpents is also worth mention for better or for worse.
