Macwoar! It’s a parrot with an eye for the birds
Following the recent addition of new words, such as ‘twerk” and ‘crowdfund’, to the oxford English Dictionary, here is a further selection, from Ma’amble to Musthard:
MA’AMBLE: To speak very quietly when presented to the Queen.
McABRE: Creepy Scotsman. ‘Burke and Hare were prime examples of McAbres at their very worst.’
MACAROONER: Sentimental balladeer much given to singing schmaltzy songs while stuffing his mouth with almond biscuits.
MACHOW: Ostentatiously virile Chinese dog.
MACRARMY: Group of fighting men knotted together in patterns to make lovely decorative shapes.
MACWOAR! Long-tailed, brightly coloured parrot with a vulgar, lascivious screech.
MADRIGULL: Unexpectedly tuneful seabird, specialising in ancient a cappella.
MAESTROP: Temperamental exit by the conductor of an orchestra. ‘The string section had never witnessed such a maestrop.’
MAFIANCE: A member of a crime organisation who is engaged to be married.
MAGKNEEFY: To make your knee look bigger.
MAGNOT: Piece of iron or steel, usually in the form of a bar, that neither attracts nor repels other metals.
MAGNUM CARTA: Cold and creamy document of political rights presented on a stick.
MAGPIE-EYED: European bird with a long, pointed tail and black and white plumage that has had one too many.
MAHAHARAJA: Indian princess with infectious laugh.
MAHARUSHI: Hindu sage who never slows down. ‘The Maharushi gabbled through his sermon before speeding off to another appointment.’
MALADROITWICH: To turn left off the M5 going North when you meant to turn right.
MALEPHANT: A large land mammal with a long trunk and a nasty character.
MALESTROM: Rather too many men in a whirlpool bath.
MALONAISE: Thick creamy dressing made from eggs that have gone off. MANANANA: Day after tomorrow.
MANIFESTOE: Politically motivated open sandal.
MANUDGER: Office supremo prone to prodding underlings with his or her elbow.
MAPRALOPISM: Inability to say even wrong words correctly.
MARATHONG: Inappropriately skimpy costume for long-distance runners. ‘Did you see that marathong she was wearing? The younger spectators had to shield their eyes.’
To be left all alone on an island with only a Premier League footballer for company.
To toy with the possibility of eating a strongly flavoured yeast extract spread.
An insignificant little measure of vermouth.
The tyre you set fire to, so as to teach the other tyres a lesson.
MASCARER: Frightening Gothic
make-up.
MASHIAVELLIAN: Cunning, unscrupulous, potato-grabbing.
MEDULLEY: Variety of very boring songs, which have been arranged as a continuous whole.
MEGAHELLOMANIAC: Man with an unstoppable urge to say hello to everyone he sees.
MELOADY: Heavy
melody.
MELONCAULI: A peculiarly depressing salad made from ingredients that don’t go together.
MEMEMEMO: A message circulated to everyone with the sole intention of reminding them just how important the sender is.
MEMORANDUMB: A round robin of unimpeachable stupidity. ‘ Our boss sent out another memorandumb congratulating us all on our inefficiency.’
MEWTINY: Mass revolt in a cats’ home.
MINGULL: Long-winged, web-footed seabird much given to socialising with like-minded creatures. ‘I see the mingulls are having another of their rooftop cocktail parties.’
MINOTOUR: Holiday trip supervised by a guide with a bull’s head.
MISTLETOAD: Froglike amphibian that can be seen hanging from the ceiling at Christmas, waiting to be kissed.
MOHICHICHICAN: Native American troubled by involuntary burps.
MONSOONISH: South Asian wind that is experiencing delays.
MONTE CARLOAD: Dodgy passengers crammed into a vehicle driving through a shady Mediterranean principality.
MUDDLEBROW: Avid reader of both Katie Price and Marcel Proust.
MUSTHARD: Spicy yellow condiment left open in its jar to become crusty and unspreadable.