Definitions by Flaminghorse
Gentleman of Four Outs
An upstart; a Victorian Era term for someone who claims or tries to act like a gentleman or a person of high class but lacks the qualities to be considered as such.
When a vulgar, blustering fellow asserts that he is a gentleman, the retort generally is, “Yes, a gentleman of four outs,” that is, without wit, without money, without credit, and without manners.
Gentleman of Four Outs by Flaminghorse July 30, 2018
The Long S
An obsolete variant of the letter s "ſ" that is often confused with an f (it also resembles ∫, a calculus symbol); It fell out of favour in the early 19th-Century for this very reason, as printers found that it was more practical to use a variant of s that would not be confused with f.
The long s still survives in German as the letter ß, which is a ligature of the letters ſ and s combined into ſs (ß). It can also be found in the Jägermeiſter (Jägermeister) logo.
The long s still survives in German as the letter ß, which is a ligature of the letters ſ and s combined into ſs (ß). It can also be found in the Jägermeiſter (Jägermeister) logo.
"Hey, why does this word say 'ſuſpicious' in this old book? Shouldn't that be an s; I don't remember suspicious being spelt with f."
"That's just one of the ways that they wrote s back then; it's called the Long S."
"That's just one of the ways that they wrote s back then; it's called the Long S."
The Long S by Flaminghorse July 30, 2018
Victorian Era
The era in which Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom; this Era lasted from June 20, 1837 to January 22, 1901, when the Edwardian Era began after Queen Victoria's passing.
The Victorian Era is typically seen by many as a time of humourlessness and strict moral codes, but it is also associated with manners, high society, monocles, top hats, corsets, the term "we are not amused," and an aversion towards split infinitives.
The Victorian Era is typically seen by many as a time of humourlessness and strict moral codes, but it is also associated with manners, high society, monocles, top hats, corsets, the term "we are not amused," and an aversion towards split infinitives.
Victorian Era by Flaminghorse July 30, 2018
Fimble-Famble
Tom gave a fimble-famble as a reason for not finishing his homework; he attempted to say that it was eaten by a flying rat.
Fimble-Famble by Flaminghorse April 10, 2018
break-teeth words
John found otorhinolaryngologist and açai to be break-teeth words; he attempted to say them right multiple times but he kept failing.
break-teeth words by Flaminghorse April 9, 2018
hwat
hwat
The historical pronunciation and an obsolete spelling of What (with the former Wh Digraph, excluding the words who and whom). The reason why it was pronounced like this was because of the fact that in Middle English, a swap of the Anglo-Saxon {hw} to {wh} occurred (it was occasionally spelt as quat), but the older Anglo-Saxon pronunciation stuck for centuries and didn't really die out until the 20th century in most English speaking areas. If a person were to pronounce what as "wat" in the 18th century or before, it would be seen as uneducated speech. However, this notion of thought faded out in the early 1800s. It is indeed the way that Hank Hill says what, something quite rare in the modern times.
The historical pronunciation and an obsolete spelling of What (with the former Wh Digraph, excluding the words who and whom). The reason why it was pronounced like this was because of the fact that in Middle English, a swap of the Anglo-Saxon {hw} to {wh} occurred (it was occasionally spelt as quat), but the older Anglo-Saxon pronunciation stuck for centuries and didn't really die out until the 20th century in most English speaking areas. If a person were to pronounce what as "wat" in the 18th century or before, it would be seen as uneducated speech. However, this notion of thought faded out in the early 1800s. It is indeed the way that Hank Hill says what, something quite rare in the modern times.
An Example from Anglo-Saxon: Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.
An Example from Early Middle English: Auh lokeþ þurh hwat reisun. \
An Example from Hank Hill: I'll tell you hwat
An Example from Early Middle English: Auh lokeþ þurh hwat reisun. \
An Example from Hank Hill: I'll tell you hwat
hwat by Flaminghorse November 27, 2017
Dutchland
Def 1: Archaic and true German-Based name of Germany, based on the German name (Deutschland).
Def 2: An incorrect name for the Netherlands.
Def 2: An incorrect name for the Netherlands.
Those who are easily tricked will fail to realize that the term "Dutchland" really refers to Germany, and not the Netherlands.
Dutchland by Flaminghorse August 5, 2017