Chortle

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Dr. Goodword
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Chortle

Postby Dr. Goodword » Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:36 pm

• chortle •

Pronunciation: chor-têl • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To laugh with a snort, spasmodically.

Notes: In fact, although this word is used quite often, no one knows exactly what it means; every dictionary has a different meaning. My sense of the word is that a chortle is a slightly suppressed laugh, but I am sure every English speaker has his or her own sense of the word. The Oxford English Dictionary doesn't even offer a meaning for it. My definition above is based on its origin (for which see Word History).

In Play: Some dictionaries claim that chortles are more often at someone else's expense: "Madeleine could not help but chortle when she saw Murine wearing a polka-dot shirt with striped pants." Others seem to think it an expression of unusual joy: "Franz chortled briefly upon reading his acceptance letter from Harvard, but then went right back to work." But then laughter of any sort is an expression of joy, hardly limited to chortle.

Word History: Today's Good Word is a rarity in that we can pinpoint its origin with absolute certainty. It was introduced by Lewis Carroll in his children's novel, Through the Looking Glass, published in 1872. Alice finds a book while she is watching the White King and opens it to a poem called Jabberwocky. The "Jabberwocky Song" contains the line "'O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy." The word is what Carroll called a portmanteau word and what linguists call a blend: a word made by combining two other words, in this case, chuckle and snort. (We thank Johannes Strand for the chortle he gave us all today by suggesting this very Good Word.)
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LukeJavan8
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Re: Chortle

Postby LukeJavan8 » Sat Jan 10, 2015 2:05 pm

sort of like one I use when hearing a terrible joke:
SCROAN: combination of 'groan' and 'scream'.
Like fingernails across a chalkboard.
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Perry Lassiter
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Re: Chortle

Postby Perry Lassiter » Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:49 pm

I associate chortle with corpulence. Fat men chortle, seated in their recliners, glass in hand, and patronizingly amused by their visitors.
pl

Philip Hudson
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Re: Chortle

Postby Philip Hudson » Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:55 am

Only in your own little universe, Perry. :lol: Interesting though.
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LukeJavan8
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Re: Chortle

Postby LukeJavan8 » Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:21 pm

I wonder how many muscles it takes Perry to 'chortle'. :shock:
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Perry Lassiter
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Re: Chortle

Postby Perry Lassiter » Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:27 pm

Fewer now that it used to. I've lost weight and exercised.
pl

bnjtokyo

Re: Chortle

Postby bnjtokyo » Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:10 am

I think it should be clear from the original context that "chortle" should not be used to describe the vocalizations one makes at someone else's expense. The poem makes clear it is vocalizations due to unusual joy.

We know the boy is setting out on an epic quest when the father says
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son,
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch"

Preparing himself carefully, the boy sets out on a long quest:
"He took his vorpal sword in hand:
"Long time the manxome foe he sought"

When the Jabberwock appears it is not friendly:
"The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
"Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
"And burbled as it came!"

Fortunately, our hero is strong and his weapon good:
"One, two! One, two! And through and through
"The vorpal blade when snicker-snack!
"He left it dead, and with its head
"He went galumphing back."

He approaches his father with the head of the Jabberwock in his hand. At this sight the father says
"O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
"He chortled in his joy."

I think Carroll makes it clear that "chortle" is a vocalization that indicates extreme joy at the successful completion of an epic task.


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