bdelloid

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

bdelloid (DEL-oyd, unless you're one of those weirdos that can pronounce the b as well) - adj., of, pertaining to, or resembling a leech.


Insert joke about politicians here. Yes, my friends, here's a handy-dandy high-faultin' insult for the mooch in your life. And for any actual leeches you might come across in the swamp. Insert another joke about politicians here. This one has a straightforward etymology, having been coined from Greek βδέλλα (bdella), meaning leech. For politicians, Greeks used another word.

As the ship gained speed, the wetsuited man clung for dear life to its side with his suction cups like a dark and bdelloid figure, waiting for his chance to attach his limpet mine.

---L.

Comments

[rainbow-yarn.livejournal.com]

So can this mean leechlike in a figuratively, as in someone who lives off the support of others without doing anything in return, or is this just literal?

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

I love this word, both its meaning and weird bd combination.

[james0289.livejournal.com]

I did actually pronounce the "b" when I first saw it, so I'm going to consider it that I started as I meant to go on.

[deathjoy.livejournal.com]

Nice!

[alien-fx-fiend.livejournal.com]

Interesting word, keep up the good work, I checked out your community and it seems kewl.

[chocoholicbec.livejournal.com]

If you can pronounce the b (as I can), do you have an automatic obligation to do so?