My friends Geoff and Edna suggested rummage as a word of the week*. Like us, they're campervanners** (the picture is of the four of us celebrating finding a good pitch)Campervanners often have to rummage. It can mean to search untidily and unsystematically. It doesn't matter how tidily and systematically you pack your van, that kind of approach never works when it comes to finding the corkscrew and chocolate.
A rummage can be a confused miscellanuous collection (of craft supplies perhaps, Edna?) A rummager is someone who rummages. Once you've finished rummaging you will have rummaged for long enough.
To rummage out is to find amongst other things. To rummage about is to disarrange. (That's another good word)
Rummage also refers to the arrangement of casks in the hold of a ship. That definitely needs to be done tidily and systematically or the ship will become unstable. Also it'll mean the sailors have to rummage about to find their rum.
*Pity it wasn't rustle, or I could have told you about Edna rustling up thai green kippers, or the time Geoff got us lost in the fog and we heard weird rustling sounds in the night (which turned out to be hundreds of sheep we'd not seen through the mist on our arrival)
**They're the friends mentioned in my recent radio interview. My bit starts ten minutes in and lasts for five minutes.
24 comments:
I've been banned from mentioning Thai green kippers, but SHMBO didn't say about writing about them ;-)
love your etymology posts
That definitely means Thai green meatballs for his tea! I had forgotten about that sunny day at Seaford Head.
love this! Obsessed with etymology
I love how words can have multiple meanings! :D
Rummage sales occur every weekend around here for rummagers.
So many rummages!
Ooops, was it a secret?
Thanks, R Mac.
It was a nice day wasn't it? Wonder where we'll bump into each other next.
I had to rummage in my brain to think of a comment.
Thai green kippers???
I do like a good rummage - you find all sorts of things you'd forgotten about.
I'm a word fan myself, Beth.
Me too, Chrys.
Bet they sometimes turn into a scrummage, Oscar.
I had to rummage to find them, Alex.
It's so full of stories there can't be much rummage room, Wendy.
I think it's better I say no more, Linda.
Absolutely, Linda.
Great to hear your voice Patsy!!! :)
Your interview was great, I've enjoyed listening to the interesting experiences from your road trip/inspirational holiday and how it helps you with writing!! :) I am sure the workshops you do must be very helpful!! Nice word by the way, rummage :)
All the Best,
Cheers, Charan :)
Thanks, Charan.
You keeping quiet about something too, Maggie?
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