Thursday, February 10, 2011

The word of the day is priapic:


Priap- (in Priapus n.) + -ic suffix. Compare French priapique of or belonging to the god Priapus or his cult (1833), obscene (1846 or earlier). Compare earlier Priapean adj.Priapian adj. With use as noun compare post-classical Latin Priapea (of uncertain date; compare Priapean adj.), French †Priapiques (plural; 1703); compare -ic suffix 2.
 A. adj.


  Of, relating to, or resembling the god Priapus or his cult; phallic; sexual, lascivious.

 B. n. rare.

  In pl. Obscene verses addressed to or spoken by the god Priapus. Also in sing.(with the): lewd style or content in literature, film, etc.  (OED)


"Despite the fruit's priapic associations - the refrain from an old blues song contains the line 'Let me put my banana in your fruit basket' - the bananas we eat are sterile."

 - Mike Peed, "We Have No Bananas: Can scientists defeat a devastating blight?", 10 January 2011 The New Yorker

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