Sunday Word: Tatterdemalion

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

Hi folks, I'll be offering a Sunday word from now on... starting with one I dearly love.

tatterdemalion [tat-er-di-meyl-yuh n]
adjective:
1. tattered or dilapidated
2. ragged; unkempt or dilapidated.
noun:
1. a person in tattered clothing; a shabby person.

Example:
Florry Talbot, a blond feeble goosefat whore in a tatterdemalion gown of mildewed strawberry, lolls spreadeagle in the sofa corner, her limp forearm pendent over the bolster, listening. (James Joyce, Ulysses)

Origin:
Early 17th century: from tatters or tattered: ending unexplained (Oxford Dictionaries)

Comments

[med_cat]

Welcome to the comm!

What a fun word ;) I must find some opportunities to use it ;))

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I wanted to call a kitten Tatterdemalion once (Tatty for short) but wasn't allowed too...

[med_cat]

Aww ;) Perhaps for some future kitty ;) Sounds like it would be just the name for a calico cat!

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

What a great word! :D I am so going to have to use it on of these days.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? One of my (many) favourites...

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

It is just so freaking descriptive. :P

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I usually see it used as a noun for a person, rather than an adjective applied to their clothing.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I get the feeling that it's more a noun in the US, more an adjective in Britain (and probably Australia...)