Alharaca

Don’t even pretend you’ve never experienced and/or displayed this one.

You know you have.

Probably when you were hungry (i.e. hangry = the state of being hungry and angry all at once).

Or maybe when you’ve just had “one of those days.” You know the ones: when you lose things, the dog gets out, the children get sick, the deadline looms, and you just can’t take one more thing slipping sideways on you.

What is alharaca, anyway?

(n.) an extraordinary or violent emotional reaction to something small and insignificant.

Can you say hissy-fit?

Photo by Fox Film Corporation via Wikimedia Commons.

Embarrassing as a moment of alharaca can be in hindsight, we’ve all been there. You don’t have to be Nellie Olsen, Miss Piggy, or the Queen of Hearts; even the least drama-queen-like of us farmgirls can relate.

As a wise woman once said, “Pardon me while I overreact irrationally.”

Continue reading

  1. Lisa Von Saunder says:

    When I was growing up in the south, they called it ” having kittens”. Yep I’ve been there, haven’t we all? And in hindsight it’s always something so stupid that sets you off, the proverbial ” straw that broke the camel’s back”

  2. Karlyne says:

    Finally, a word to define the crimson blush of inconsequent rage! Thank you!

  3. Michele Bilka says:

    And I thought I was antiquated by using the term “hissy-fit”. Have you ever noticed it’s usually not used on men but on children up to the age of about 19 & females of all ages. ;))

  4. Krista says:

    Yep! I can admit that I have been there. Seems like my hissy-fits occur more on the cranky/whinny baby days. There must be a connection lol!

  5. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Oh yeh, I can relate 100%!! I’ve had many of those kind of moments in my life. Now, instead of a rage, I just sort of slump into a chair and feel weary until the “spell” passes and I can move on.

  6. Karlyne says:

    Yes, to for and to!

  7. Chrissy says:

    Well, with the nickname of “Chrissy” and a genetic temperament, “hissy-fit” was used commonly around me. Now I just get this mostly at work, when I haven’t had time to take a lunch break and I call it being “hangry.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Bumfuzzle

What the heck? What kind of a word is this? It sounds like the name of a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winner.

“Here, Lord Bumfuzzle, let’s trim the fluff before the talent portion!”

photo by Blackoranges via Wikimedia Commons

Well, if you’re confused, you’re not far off from the actual description.

Origin: Bumfuzzle comes from bum-, an expressive prefix, perhaps to be identified with the initial syllable of bamboozle, and fuzzle “to confuse,” perhaps expressive alteration of fuddle. It’s been used in English since around 1900.

Definitions for bumfuzzle

  • Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S., to confuse or fluster.

“This holyfied lady’s jest tryin’ to bumfuzzle us.”
– Joan Hess, Mischief in Maggody, 1988

“This is an attempt to bumfuzzle,” said the President.
– William Safire, “On Language: The Way We Live Now,” New York Times Magazine, November 14, 1999

Continue reading

  1. Winnie Nielsen says:

    That is indeed a quirky name for a dog. Down here in the South, I do occasionally hear this word used but not all that often in the past few decades. I am not even sure my girls even know what it means. Leave it to the Brits for clever language use.

  2. Lisa Von Saunder says:

    I do so love Joan Hess’s Maggoty Mystery series, laugh out loud funny ( if you are southern , even more so)
    I have them all . Try and find themand and enjoy!
    And I was a big fan of William Safire’s column for years and have one of his books all about words, so fascinationg

  3. Krista says:

    This is my first time hearing this word and it definitely makes for a funny dog name! I’m going to remember this for future conversations. See if I can bumfuzzle others.

  4. Ruth says:

    LOL! I’ve used “bumfuzzle” my entire life. I teach and sometimes say this in class, to bewildered looks. ‘Tis a great word!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *