August 27, 2003

I get the Word a Day newsletter every day.
In it, its creator, Anu, hightlights one single word (or sometimes an expression), usually derived from a weekly theme. He cites the word's origins and gives examples of usage.

It's usually very enlightening, and has expanded my vocucabuularly immensely. (Not that you could tell this from the ramblings on this site, of course.)

While mostly somber, in rare instances, the words Anu digs up are even amusing. Today's however had me laughing out loud, and I felt the desperate urge to share it with the world. So here it is:

dasypygal (da-si-PYE-gul) adjective

Having hairy buttocks.

[From Greek dasy- (hairy, dense) + pyge (buttocks).]

A related word is dasymeter, an instrument for measuring the..., no, not that, rather the density of gases. Another related word is callipygian - having a beautiful behind. -Anu

Oh, thank you. Thank you so much, Anu. You have changed my world beyond your wildest dreams.