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January 30, 2007
Groak: Sigh, So Romantic
Here at Seraphic Secret we believe it is vital to learn something new every day. For those of you who follow this blog, you know we are deeply concerned with language--yes, precision in language obsesses us. Thus, when we find a word that we have never ever heard of, a word that we never even imagined, well, we sit up and take notice; in fact we sit up like happy puppies and smile.
groak
verb: to stare at a person longingly while he is eating
Hat Tip: Futility Closet.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at January 30, 2007 04:25 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Oh. My. Gosh. So THAT's what Max the shih-poo, and, before him, Tyson the pug, have been doing while we're at the dinner table?!
Posted by: Pearl at January 30, 2007 05:06 PM
Pearl:
And let's not forget yours truly, at the Shabbos table, groaking my aishet chayil, Karen.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 30, 2007 05:16 PM
Love it, thanks
Posted by: gp at January 30, 2007 06:19 PM
Now that's just weird! ;-)
Posted by: Joannah at January 30, 2007 06:34 PM
GP:
We hope this brightens your Brooklyn winter.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 30, 2007 06:47 PM
Joannah:
Weird you say? Gee, and we thought it was just so gosh darn appetizing.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 30, 2007 06:50 PM
sounds like something from shrek
Posted by: mata hari at January 31, 2007 04:14 AM
It's imprecise. Is the person eating worthy of adoration were he not to be seen eating? Does the "groaker" have an expectation of a reward? Is the groaker's focus on the "Eating" rather than on the person doing it. Is the "Groaker" vicariously re-living the pleasures of the nosh?
It is imprecise, but not in the same way that the word "Zebra" is merly a tag and fails to inform us about the animal. It is imprecise in the manner of leaf blown in the wind -- a nuisance useful only to poets.
Posted by: JtheJ at January 31, 2007 08:33 AM
JtheJ:
So, in the other words... it's an SAT word.
Posted by: Jake at January 31, 2007 09:26 AM
I have a book that is called Rare Words and Ways To Master them that is filled with good words like Groak.
Some examples:
antiphrasis
kakistocracy
stochastic
incunabulist
paronomasia
Posted by: Jack at January 31, 2007 12:55 PM
Mata Hari:
I'll tell the guys working on the next Shrek film.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 31, 2007 03:33 PM
J:
What can I tell you, we screenwriters have very low standards for precision :)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 31, 2007 03:35 PM
Jack:
Running to my dictionary.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 31, 2007 03:37 PM