Gobbledygook

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skinem
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Gobbledygook

Postby skinem » Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:30 pm

Gobbledygook (noun)

Nonsense or jargon--language that is difficult or impossible to understand, especially either nonsense or long-winded technical jargon.

Etymology: irregular from gobble, noun

Gobble etymology: probably irregular from gob.

Gob etymology: Middle English gobbe, probably back-formation from gobet

The word "gobbledygook" came to mind after reading some education theory manuals...it's appropriate that the definition of "gob" is "lump" or "a large amount". Very appropriate.

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Re: Gobbledygook

Postby sluggo » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:07 pm

Gobbledygook (noun)

Nonsense or jargon--language that is difficult or impossible to understand, especially either nonsense or long-winded technical jargon.

Etymology: irregular from gobble, noun

Gobble etymology: probably irregular from gob.

Gob etymology: Middle English gobbe, probably back-formation from gobet

The word "gobbledygook" came to mind after reading some education theory manuals...it's appropriate that the definition of "gob" is "lump" or "a large amount". Very appropriate.
At first glance I would have thought this the work of W.S. Gilbert but apparently it was coined by a true Maverick in 1944 in reaction to much the same experience as yours, Skin. The "gobble" part derives from the turkey cluck.

Isn't "gob" also British slang for mouth, as in "shut yer gob!"?

PS the avatar is preciously precocious.
Stop! Murder us not, tonsured rumpots! Knife no one, fink!

skinem
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Re: Gobbledygook

Postby skinem » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:21 pm


At first glance I would have thought this the work of W.S. Gilbert but apparently it was coined by a true Maverick in 1944 in reaction to much the same experience as yours, Skin. The "gobble" part derives from the turkey cluck.
After reading your link I would have thought that as well! It appears there's a little disagreement between World Wide Words and Merriam-Webster. http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/gobbledygook


Isn't "gob" also British slang for mouth, as in "shut yer gob!"?
You betcha!

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sluggo
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Re: Gobbledygook

Postby sluggo » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:40 pm

It appears there's a little disagreement between World Wide Words and Merriam-Webster. http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/gobbledygook
The M-W entry just says Etymology: irregular from gobble, noun: wordy and generally unintelligible jargon

-this doesn't seem to dispute Maverick's invention ...?

Do we need a Doctor over here or can us inferns handle it?

I'll shut me gob. Suddenly hungry for turkey anyway.
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Bailey
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Postby Bailey » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:24 pm

I dunno, it seems to me like it's another racial slur.

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Postby sluggo » Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:30 pm

I dunno, it seems to me like it's another racial slur.

mark
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Postby Perry » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:57 pm

I enjoyed the maverick link, whether it is accurate or not.
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GOBBLEDYGOOK

Postby Dr. Goodword » Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:56 pm

Actually, I touched on that gobbledygook the discussion of maverick http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/word/maverick
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