As a lot of this blog is about writing, I wanted to write a regular article on my favourite forgotten words. You know the type of thing, those poor lost words that sit at the back of our minds, gathering dust, having been discovered years ago in literature classics like Dickens, or Austen. They are the spices of the literary world, but I refuse to let them sit in a cupboard and be ignored until they go out of date! Let’s bring them back! Now!
This month’s word is: SQUIFFY!
squiffy
The Cambridge online dictionary defines squiffy as, ‘slightly drunk’. It can also mean askew.
I love using it to describe characters, much preferring it to the word tipsy. Tipsy is fine, but it doesn’t really have the comedic value squiffy does. I don’t really know why that is, it just doesn’t.
It also carries a fantastic 1950’s clipped English feel as well, so is great for those characters who are a bit snooty.
Have I ever defined an item as being squiffy? We once brought a Christmas tree and when we got it up and decorated it, realised it was leaning dangerously to one side. On this occasion I did describe it as squiffy – askew just seems too grown up!
Squiffy is also one of my favourite states of being! There’s none of that head spinning, vomit inducing nonsense you get when fully drunk. It just means being a bit jolly and happy.
Cocktail anyone? I feel like getting squiffy tonight!
Let me know your favourite and forgotten words!