Wednesday, 28 April 2010
On Making Myself Really Sick
By Gail Title who blogs at Hot Coffee and Cool Jazz
I love words and for that reason I subscribe to a website that each day sends me a "Word of the Day." Sometimes I am familiar with the word for that particular day and sometimes not. Other times I am not particularly interested in it, thinking I'd never ever have an occasion in which to put it to use. However, every once in a while…
Today's word was "crapulous." I don't believe I've ever been aware of it before and of course, the sound of the word is enough to pique anyone's curiosity. Today I laughed.
Crapulous, adjective
1. Suffering the effects of, or derived from, or suggestive of gross intemperance, especially in drinking; as, a crapulous stomach.
2. Marked by gross intemperance, especially in drinking; as, a crapulous old reprobate.
The rest of the email says that the word “crapulous” is from late Latin crapulosus, from Latin crapula, from Greek kraipale, meaning drunkenness and its consequences, nausea, sickness and headache.
Only one time in my life have I been seriously "hung over" from drinking too much. And I have to admit that I woke up in a seriously crapulous condition which lasted until about five that afternoon. Until today I have never found a word to describe how bad that hangover was; to find one that is so succinct and sounds exactly like what it means is a real delight.
Yes, I certainly do understand that word - but mind you, only from that one experience, which came about when I was thrown into a different milieu after being divorced. I had not previously had any experience whatsoever with the effects of drinking too much alcohol. Believe me, that one crapulous event was enough. Never again, I said. There never has been.
Today’s word gave me a good laugh and certainly armed me with a better description to use than “hangover.” I’ve received some other fairly useful words from “Word of the Day” but none have brought back such funny and long-forgotten memories as today’s “crapulous.”
[INVITATION: All elders, 50 and older, are welcome to submit stories for this blog. They can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, etc. Instructions for submitting are here.]
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 02:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post
Comments
The comments to this entry are closed.
Great post. I now wonder if that's the genesis of the word crap.
Posted by: Marcia Mayo | Wednesday, 28 April 2010 at 03:45 AM
Many, many moons ago I experienced the crapulous state and I agree that the word perfectly defines it.
Maybe that's why I say, "Oh crap" so often. ;-)
Posted by: Darlene | Wednesday, 28 April 2010 at 07:28 AM
Well, now we know where the phrase, "I feel like Crap" comes from! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Guitar Grandma | Wednesday, 28 April 2010 at 09:40 AM
What a great word! I think I'll borrow it. Thanks.
Posted by: Lyn Burnstine | Wednesday, 28 April 2010 at 04:46 PM
Terrific post...Easy word to remember and maybe I'll use it some time...
Posted by: Claire Jean | Thursday, 29 April 2010 at 06:02 AM
Misery loves company, eh? Thanks for your comments!
Posted by: Gail Title | Thursday, 29 April 2010 at 05:34 PM