Anne,

If you think this is fun you should really join DSNA - the Dictionary
Society of America.  My brother-in-law and I joined about six years ago.
They print an issue called "Ver Batim" which has a section on obscure words.
My olde tyme favorite is "merkin".  I often suggest to an installer or
craftsman that if nothing else works they should pick up a merkin.  It
amuses the fellows down at the hardware outlet whenever someone comes in and
asks for one.

Leland
-----Original Message-----
From: Anne Sullivan <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, June 08, 1998 7:05 PM
Subject: Re: Wythe


>OK, folks -- I am on the trail of this wythe thing.  If you can believe
this,
>I know a man who is a "lexicographer."  That's a person who writes
>dictionaries!  He has a PhD in olde english....  OK, OK, it was a blind
date,
>ok?
>
>He is on it -- but in the meantime, here are some other interesting facts
from
>him:
>
>I'll get on the term 'wythe' immediately.  I
>have both my construction text ( a very good textbook indeed: it's where
>I learned that a pile of bricks fired together is called a "clamp,"
>which delighted me for months ) and the 2nd edition of the Oxford
Dictionary.
>I'll nail it down for you with 10d 'sinkers.'  The
>"d" by the way, in case you've ever wondered, is Latin for 'denarius' or
>'penny,' and a 10d nail is called a 10 penny nail.
>
>
>I'll let you know as soon as I get the definitive definition of wythe.
THis
>is the best fun I've had all week.
>
>Anne