ETYMOLOGY
from snug + -ery
EXAMPLE
“…“Here you will be quite to yourselves,” said Lady Clonbrony; “let me establish you comfortably in this, which I call my sanctuary – my snuggery – Colambre, that little table! …”
From: The Absentee
In Tales of Fashionable Life
By Maria Edgeworth, 1812
ETYMOLOGY
vb.: from Dutch snateren or Low German snat(t)ern (Greek schnattern, Swedish snattra),
of imitative origin
EXAMPLE (for vb.)
“…for if thou considerest the things are easie attained, every ditch offering the some of them, and the preparation so trinial, that there is as much art to make a mess of pottage; in this above all other I have deserved well at thy hand, if thou hast a heart to improve it, neither do I doubt, although many will be angry and snatter at it, but this entrance which I have given in this receipt will stand while the world indures and get strength, and my memory held in honor, for so good service in it…”
From: The Unlearned Alchymist His Antidote
By Richard Mathews, 1662
ETYMOLOGY
of unknown origin
EXAMPLE
“…He’s a a real down sliverly chap , I wouldn’t hev nowt to do wi ‘ him if I was you…”
From: Glossary of Words Used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham,
Edward Peacock, 1877
ETYMOLOGY
either from late Latin subdolosus (rather cunning), from classical Latin subdolus (sly, deceitful, treacherous) + -osus (-ous),
or from classical Latin subdolus (sly, deceitful, treacherous) (from sub- (sub-) + dolus (dole – the corrupt, malicious, or evil intention essential to the guilt of a crime)) + -ous
PRONUNCIATION
SUB-duh-luhss
EXAMPLE
“…The subdolous crafte and deceate of Satan…”
From: Ane Cathechisme or Schort Instrvction of Christian Religion
By Peter Canisius
Translated by Adam King, 1588
ETYMOLOGY
after Smelfungus, a hypercritical traveller in A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy (1768) by Laurence Sterne (died 1768 British novelist), who intended this character to satirize Tobias Smollett (died 1771 British novelist) for his descriptions in Travels through France and Italy (1766)
EXAMPLE
“…I was, however, much pleased to see that red maintains its ground against all other colors, because red is the color of Mr. Jefferson’s ********, Tom Paine’s nose, and my slippers. Let the grumbling smellfungi of this world, who cultivate taste among books, cobwebs, and spiders, rail at the extravagance of the age; for my part, I was delighted with the magic of the scene, and as the ladies tripped through the mazes of the dance, sparkling and glowing and dazzling, I, like the honest Chinese, thanked them heartily for the jewels and finery with which they loaded themselves, merely for the entertainment of bystanders, and blessed my stars that I was a bachelor…”
From: Salmagundi; or, The Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, (pseudonym) Esq. and Others
By William Irving, James Kirke Paulding and Washington Irving, 1807
ETYMOLOGY
from Latin spissus (thick, close, compact)
EXAMPLE
“…Methought this Drink had a kind of a sweet taste, like Asses Milk, yet it could not properly be called a liquor, but rather a certain concreted Mist or spiscious Froath; for being with no small paine got out againe, I found it had not so much as moistned my Cloaths…”
From: The Comical History of Francion
By Charles Sorel, 1655
ETYMOLOGY
from snuff + -y
EXAMPLE
“…I’m sure she makes a very Tarquinius Sextus of me, and all about this Serenade,—I protest and vow, incomparable Lady, I had begun the sweetest Speech to her—though I say’t, such Flowers of Rhetorick—’twou’d have been the very Nosegay of Eloquence, so it wou’d; and like an ungrateful illiterate Woman as she is, she left me in the very middle on’t, so snuffy I’ll warrant…”
From: Sir Patient Fancy
By Aphra Behn, 1678
ETYMOLOGY
from sober + the plural of side
EXAMPLE
“…I am sorry you have been again out of luck with a horse; but do not despair. I have got a sober sides on trial for a week past, but really & truly cannot make time to put him to the proof, & he stands idle in my stable, but hope as I have often, very often hoped before that I shall have more time the next week…”
From: The Selected Letters of Josiah Wedgwood, Feb, 1779
Edited by Anne Finer and George Savage, 1965
ETYMOLOGY
from sparrow + fart
EXAMPLE (for n. 2.)
“…Miss This Miss That Miss Theother lot of sparrowfarts skitting around talking about politics they know as much about as my backside anything in the world to make themselves someway interesting Irish homemade beauties soldiers daughter am I ay and whose are you bootmakers and publicans I beg your pardon coach I thought you were a wheelbarrow…”
From: Ulysses
By James Joyce, 1922
ETYMOLOGY
from sleight (adroitness, nimbleness of mind or body) + -ful
EXAMPLE
“…Not worschipe men for here worldly rychesse. as þe fals world doþ
for þey be mysdoers, sotel, and slyhtful dysseyuers…”
From: The Lay Folks’ Catechism
(Lambeth MS.). 1380
Lexicophilia 