Re: Objurgation

On Jul 31, 8:14 am, Irwell <h...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
First time I have seen this word, used by John Buchan in the book
'The Three Hostages', set in 1920s London. A raid on a night club is
carried out by the sweeps (police).

---
7/31/2008 8:10:28 AM

It would seem that OBJURGATION is a favorite for spelling bees – see:

Spelling Bee: Nationals: Sooner rallies despite close call
Subscription - Tulsa World - HighBeam Research - Jun 1, 2006
He didn't flinch at this word: objurgation. He asked the pronouncer to
repeat the word. Then he asked for a definition, which was "a harsh or
violent rebuke ...

The $1,000 Word
Time Magazine - Time - Jun 23, 1958
... the 31st Annual National Spelling Bee had progressed to the dark,
scary forest of such growths as distichous, objurgation, ephelis,
abatis and coulisse, ...

[end excerpts]

A search in the news archives suggests that the word was quite common
before 1900, in the US, with only a few current usages – eg:

Daily Texan - Jun 6, 2003
MINORITY RECRUITMENT WORTH SUSTAINING: After suffering weeks of thorny
public objurgation for the rampant plagiarism on the part of a young
reporter, ...

Why We Racers Shun the Bike Path
- Washington Post - HighBeam Research - Apr 20, 1997
The most common objurgation I hear as a competitive cyclist who trains
in Rock Creek Park is, "Get on the bike path," usually from a person
who had to wait ...

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH
- Dallas Morning News - NewsBank - Oct 31, 1987
One doesn't exactly envy Judge Ginsburg, afloat now in the maelstrom
of controversy and objurgation. Still, one hears he's tough. That's
the latest, and not ...

CURSING, HE SWEARS, IS GOOD FOR US
- Philadelphia Inquirer - NewsBank - Aug 31, 1982
... to research more and spread the doctrine of obloquy and
objurgation from "the hard hat to the mortar board . . . from the
sewer to the penthouse." ...

I swear by Allah’s beard -- this being my objuration -- never to use
the word OBJURGATION.
--
Aloha ~~~ Ozzie Maland ~~~ San Diego
.