Flibbertigibbet sounds like “bibbidi-bobbidi-boo” or “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” The sound is appropriate, considering that flibbertigibbet means a silly or flighty person. All three phrases convey a sense of the nonsensical and the downright “atrocious.” (Thank you, Mary Poppins.)
However, the words are a lot of fun to say, which might explain why they stick with a person for hours, days, and years on end. I, for instance, have no recollection of when I heard the word “flibbertigibbet,” but it somehow returns to my brain every once in a while. Perhaps the ones listed below will become your own constant — or irregular — companions.
Fauborg
Noun. [From the Middle English fabour. From the Middle French fauxbourg, alteration of forsbourg. From the Old French forsborc, from fors outside + borc town—more at BOURG.] (1400s) Suburb, especially a suburb of a French city. A city quarter.
(The girl wrinkled her brow in confusion when the driver said she had arrived at the correct fauborg.)
Feat
Noun. [From the Middle English fait. From the Middle French. From the Latin factum, from the neuter of factus and the past participle of facere to make, do—more at do.] (1300s) Act, deed. A deed notable, especially for courage; an act or product of skill, endurance, or ingenuity.
(She considered bouldering her first cliff a feat worthy of pride.)
Fiddle
Verb. Forms: fiddled; fiddling. (1300s) To play on a fiddle. To move the hands or fingers restlessly; to spend time in aimless or fruitless activity: putter <fiddled around with the engine for hours>; meddle, tamper <fiddled clandestinely in other governments>. To play (as a tune) on a fiddle. Cheat, swindle. To alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain <accountants fiddling the books>.
(The mother told the boy to quit fiddling and pay attention to the speaker.)
Flibbertigibbet
Noun. [From the Middle English flepergebet.] (1400s) A silly, flighty person. Adjective: flibbertigibbety.
(She was so flibbertigibbety that no one could make heads or tails of what she was trying to say.)
Fob Off
Verb. (1597) To put off with a trick, excuse, or inferior substitute. To pass or offer (something spurious) as genuine. To put aside <now fob off what once they would have welcomed eagerly>.
(The curator fobbed off the painting as a genuine Monet, but anyone could see the work was a poorly executed forgery.)
Foray
Verb. [From the Middle English forrayen. From the Middle French forrer, from fore fodder—more at FORAGE.] (1300s) To ravage in search of spoils: pillage. To make a raid or brief invasion <forayed into enemy territory>.
Noun. (1300s) A sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils: raid. A brief excursion or attempt, especially outside one’s accustomed sphere <the teacher’s foray into politics>.
(Once she read all of Philip K. Dick’s novels and short stories, she decided to foray into other author’s works.)
Fracas
Noun. Plural: fracases. [From the French, din or row. From the Italian fracasso, from fracassare to shatter.] (1727) A noisy quarrel: brawl.
(The fracas caught the tourists by surprise, leaving them stranded on an unfamiliar street.)
Fussbudget
Noun. (1904) One who fusses, especially about trifles. Adjective: fussbudgety.
(No would accuse Mrs. Shepherd of being a fussbudget, but she taxed people’s patience with her concern about the dessert.)
Futilitarian
Noun. [Blend of futile and utilitarian.] (1827) One who believes that human striving is futile. Adjective: futilitarianism.
(Eeyore could be described as a futilitarian.)
What are your favorite “f’s”? Share them in the comments.
Miss the earlier letters in the Alphabet Adventure? Use the links here.
Image: ryguywy (Creative Commons)