Difference between revisions of "Pages 531-562"
Hondo11008 (Talk | contribs) m (→Page 534) |
(→Page 562: diem) |
||
| (92 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{PbP Header}} | {{PbP Header}} | ||
| − | + | =November 11th, YDAU - Gately and Joelle= | |
==Page 531== | ==Page 531== | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
'''boilermakers'''<br /> | '''boilermakers'''<br /> | ||
| Line 14: | Line 12: | ||
==Page 532== | ==Page 532== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''blotto'''<br /> | ||
| + | extremely drunk | ||
'''Cumberland'''<br /> | '''Cumberland'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | This must refer to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_River Cumberland River], which flows into the Ohio near Paducah, in the western part of Kentucky, close to Joelle's home town of Shiny Prize (see page 237). | |
'''O.D.'''<br /> | '''O.D.'''<br /> | ||
| Line 26: | Line 27: | ||
a time-keeping device for musicians, typically a pendulum-like machine that clicks to provide meter | a time-keeping device for musicians, typically a pendulum-like machine that clicks to provide meter | ||
| + | '''caparison'''<br /> | ||
| + | rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment | ||
| + | ==Page 534== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''a Type and a Symbol'''<br /> | ||
| + | These words are used by Mr. Hooper to describe the veil he wears in Nathaniel Hawthorne's story, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Minister's_Black_Veil "The Minister's Black Veil."] | ||
==Page 535== | ==Page 535== | ||
| Line 42: | Line 49: | ||
drooling | drooling | ||
| − | + | =☽ - Randy Lenz: Rats, Cats, and Dogs= | |
==Page 538== | ==Page 538== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Duster'''<br /> | ||
| + | the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Duster Plymouth Duster] was a sporty compact available from 1970 to 1976 | ||
'''12-gauge blast'''<br /> | '''12-gauge blast'''<br /> | ||
| Line 50: | Line 60: | ||
==Page 539== | ==Page 539== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''loafer one'''<br /> | ||
| + | presumably first step of the day, meaning Lenz never leaves Ennet House until after sunset | ||
'''E.M.I.T.'''<br /> | '''E.M.I.T.'''<br /> | ||
| Line 73: | Line 86: | ||
'''W-E'''<br /> | '''W-E'''<br /> | ||
west-east | west-east | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''trebled'''<br /> | ||
| + | tripled in number or magnitude | ||
'''Stegosaurus'''<br /> | '''Stegosaurus'''<br /> | ||
| Line 80: | Line 96: | ||
'''verminal'''<br /> | '''verminal'''<br /> | ||
| − | tending to breed vermin | + | probably a neologism (by Hal's criteria) for tending to breed vermin |
'''cabbaging'''<br /> | '''cabbaging'''<br /> | ||
| Line 89: | Line 105: | ||
==Page 542== | ==Page 542== | ||
| + | '''excitatingly'''<br /> | ||
| + | neologism, but probably in a manner characterized by excitation is intended | ||
'''panoply'''<br /> | '''panoply'''<br /> | ||
| Line 98: | Line 116: | ||
'''EST and Greenwich Mean'''<br /> | '''EST and Greenwich Mean'''<br /> | ||
Eastern Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time, the latter of which is determined at the Prime Meridian, or 0º longitude | Eastern Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time, the latter of which is determined at the Prime Meridian, or 0º longitude | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''reseau'''<br /> | ||
| + | réseau is intended, a reference grid of fine lines forming uniform squares on a photographic plate or print, used to aid in measurement | ||
'''DOW'''<br /> | '''DOW'''<br /> | ||
| Line 106: | Line 127: | ||
==Page 543== | ==Page 543== | ||
| + | '''Eurotrochaic'''<br /> | ||
| + | neologism: Euro[pean] + trochaic; here, describing the alternating two-note sound of a European emergency siren (trochaic being the adjectival form of "trochee," a metrical foot of poetry comprised of two feet, stressed and unstressed) | ||
'''winsome'''<br /> | '''winsome'''<br /> | ||
| Line 111: | Line 134: | ||
'''diverticulitis'''<br /> | '''diverticulitis'''<br /> | ||
| − | inflammation of | + | inflammation of abnormal outpouchings of the colon |
'''gone rye'''<br /> | '''gone rye'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | malaprop: gone awry | |
'''Principles of Psychology and the Gifford Lectures on Natural Philosophy'''<br /> | '''Principles of Psychology and the Gifford Lectures on Natural Philosophy'''<br /> | ||
| − | "[http://www.giffordlectures.org/Author.asp?AuthorID=88 William James’s Gifford Lectures] of 1901–1902 have been heralded by some as the greatest lectures ever to be presented in the series and perhaps the most seminal of his works (alongside The Principles of Psychology). Published initially in 1902, [http://www.csp.org/experience/james-varieties/james-varieties.html The Varieties of | + | "[http://www.giffordlectures.org/Author.asp?AuthorID=88 William James’s Gifford Lectures] of 1901–1902 have been heralded by some as the greatest lectures ever to be presented in the series and perhaps the most seminal of his works (alongside The Principles of Psychology). Published initially in 1902, [http://www.csp.org/experience/james-varieties/james-varieties.html The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature] has stood the test of time and been republished thirty-six times." |
'''20-gram'''<br /> | '''20-gram'''<br /> | ||
| Line 123: | Line 146: | ||
'''bonerfied'''<br /> | '''bonerfied'''<br /> | ||
| − | bona fide | + | malaprop: bona fide |
==Page 544== | ==Page 544== | ||
| Line 131: | Line 154: | ||
'''ten-kilo'''<br /> | '''ten-kilo'''<br /> | ||
about 22 lbs | about 22 lbs | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Caldor-brand'''<br /> | ||
| + | a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldor chain] of discount department stores in the US Northeast. The chain closed its last store in 1999. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Scopophobic'''<br /> | ||
| + | Of scopophobia; the fear of being seen or stared at. | ||
==Page 545== | ==Page 545== | ||
| + | '''Bing'''<br /> | ||
| + | cocaine, usually referring to a line of the substance | ||
'''phosphenes'''<br /> | '''phosphenes'''<br /> | ||
| Line 139: | Line 170: | ||
'''apnea'''<br /> | '''apnea'''<br /> | ||
the tendency of mainly overweight people to stop breathing intermittently in their sleep | the tendency of mainly overweight people to stop breathing intermittently in their sleep | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''hone'''<br /> | ||
| + | a whetstone used to sharpen blades | ||
==Page 546== | ==Page 546== | ||
| Line 144: | Line 178: | ||
'''R. Lauren'''<br /> | '''R. Lauren'''<br /> | ||
Ralph Lauren | Ralph Lauren | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''BYP'''<br /> | ||
| + | Brookline Young People's AA group | ||
==Page 547== | ==Page 547== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''formulating'''<br /> | ||
| + | forming | ||
'''tattlemount'''<br /> | '''tattlemount'''<br /> | ||
| Line 152: | Line 192: | ||
==Page 548== | ==Page 548== | ||
| − | + | =Early November, YDAU - Rodney Tine and the ''Samizdat''= | |
==Page 548== | ==Page 548== | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
'''District'''<br /> | '''District'''<br /> | ||
| Line 182: | Line 220: | ||
'''New Iberia LA'''<br /> | '''New Iberia LA'''<br /> | ||
a city about 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge | a city about 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''apprised'''<br /> | ||
| + | informed | ||
'''pithed'''<br /> | '''pithed'''<br /> | ||
| − | having had a needle stuck into the base of the skull | + | having had a needle stuck into the base of the skull to sever or destroy the brainstem |
| + | |||
| + | '''Academy of D.A.S. (or V.A.S.)'''<br/> | ||
| + | It seems like it's printed as either D.A.S. or V.A.S. These are probably something like "Academy of Digital/Visual Arts and Sciences" | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Page 549== | ||
'''U.S.O.'''<br /> | '''U.S.O.'''<br /> | ||
| Line 190: | Line 236: | ||
'''P.E.T.s'''<br /> | '''P.E.T.s'''<br /> | ||
| − | positron emission tomography, a kind of medical imaging technique | + | P.E.T. is the acronym for positron emission tomography, a kind of medical imaging technique; these are more commonly called PET scans |
| − | < | + | '''retinue'''<br /> |
| + | a group of attendants, advisers, etc. | ||
| + | =November 9th, YDAU - Pemulis wanders the E.T.A. offices at night= | ||
| − | + | ==Page 550== | |
| − | + | '''magical thinking'''<br /> | |
| + | the correlation of actions and events in the absence of scientific proof | ||
| − | [ | + | '''pre-Oedipal'''<br /> |
| + | occurring prior to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus_complex Oedipus complex] typically experienced from ages 3-6 | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''cathexis'''<br /> | ||
| + | defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Page 551== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''exhortation'''<br /> | ||
| + | a speech or discourse that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''greeble'''<br /> | ||
| + | a small piece of detailing added to break up the surface of an object to add visual interest | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Page 552== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Filene's'''<br /> | ||
| + | a Boston-based [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filene%27s department store] (and chain), defunct since December 2011 | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''chintzy'''<br /> | ||
| + | cheap and low grade | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Hal's Mumsly-Wumsly'''<br /> | ||
| + | his mother, Avril Incandenza | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Page 553== | ||
'''worsted'''<br /> | '''worsted'''<br /> | ||
firmly twisted yarn | firmly twisted yarn | ||
| + | =November 11th, YDAU - Lenz and Green Walking= | ||
| + | ==Page 554== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''RIJID-brand male hairspray'''<br /> | ||
| + | appears to be a fictional brand of hairspray | ||
==Page 555== | ==Page 555== | ||
| Line 213: | Line 292: | ||
'''half-kilo'''<br /> | '''half-kilo'''<br /> | ||
about 1.1 pounds | about 1.1 pounds | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Inositol'''<br /> | ||
| + | the capitalization is inappropriate. It is not a B-vitamin but at one time was thought to be one, "B8." I think from context that cyanocobalamin was intended. | ||
==Endnote 231== | ==Endnote 231== | ||
'''Manitol'''<br /> | '''Manitol'''<br /> | ||
| − | a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ | + | a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannitol mannitol] |
==Page 555 (cont'd)== | ==Page 555 (cont'd)== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''lineskers'''<br /> | ||
| + | lines of powdered cocaine assembled for snorting | ||
'''"...go find a short pier..."'''<br /> | '''"...go find a short pier..."'''<br /> | ||
| Line 236: | Line 321: | ||
'''insousistent'''<br /> | '''insousistent'''<br /> | ||
| − | insouciant | + | insouciant, meaning indifferent |
| + | |||
| + | '''aplomb'''<br /> | ||
| + | self-assurance | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''skirling'''<br /> | ||
| + | shrilly wailing | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''hackles'''<br /> | ||
| + | the erectile hairs on the back of a dog which rise up out of fear or aggression | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''plumb'''<br /> | ||
| + | exactly | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''to the maximus'''<br /> | ||
| + | maybe just "the maximum" (or "the max"), but also perhaps more Wallace wordplay, as in the ''gluteus maximus'' (the largest of the muscles in the buttocks), and so a pain in the ass | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''myriadly'''<br /> | ||
| + | countlessly | ||
'''parallaxing'''<br /> | '''parallaxing'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | The noun [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax ''parallax''] is a visual term; the nonce participle "parallaxing" used to describe noises here, may be Lenz's way of referring to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect Doppler effect], analogous only in terms of issues of positional perspective, of the ''viewer'' of an object at some distance in the case of ''parallex'' and the ''hearer'' of a moving noisemaker (such as the siren on a speeding ambulance) in the case of the ''Doppler shift''. | |
'''crucifi'''<br /> | '''crucifi'''<br /> | ||
Probably Lenz means "crucifixes." | Probably Lenz means "crucifixes." | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''crepuscular'''<br /> | ||
| + | relating to twilight, or possibly the animals active at this time | ||
'''threnody'''<br /> | '''threnody'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | song of mourning for the dead | |
==Page 557== | ==Page 557== | ||
| Line 253: | Line 359: | ||
'''hoovered'''<br /> | '''hoovered'''<br /> | ||
| − | inhaled | + | inhaled (from Hoover, a brand name of vacuum cleaner) |
==Endnote 232== | ==Endnote 232== | ||
| Line 262: | Line 368: | ||
'''ecgonine'''<br /> | '''ecgonine'''<br /> | ||
an organic chemical found naturally in coca leaves | an organic chemical found naturally in coca leaves | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''nystagmus'''<br /> | ||
| + | a rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball | ||
'''benzoic acid'''<br /> | '''benzoic acid'''<br /> | ||
| − | the simplest of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxylic_acid | + | the simplest of the aromatic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxylic_acid carboxylic acids] |
| + | |||
| + | '''Crosbulation'''<br /> | ||
| + | if cocaine is called "Bing," Crosbulation refers to snorting cocaine, referring to the last name of Bing Crosby | ||
'''spider angiomas'''<br /> | '''spider angiomas'''<br /> | ||
| − | a type of | + | a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_angioma benign swelling] of the blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider's web |
'''rhinorrhagia'''<br /> | '''rhinorrhagia'''<br /> | ||
| Line 273: | Line 385: | ||
'''blepharospecticity'''<br /> | '''blepharospecticity'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | a neologism meaning something like "seeing through one's eyelids," perhaps blepharospasticity misspelt, "spasm of the eyelids" | |
| + | |||
| + | '''M.A.O.-inhibiting'''<br /> | ||
| + | '''m'''ono'''a'''mine '''o'''xidase inhibitors, potent antidepressants, with many drug-drug and drug-diet interactions | ||
'''ballism'''<br /> | '''ballism'''<br /> | ||
| Line 283: | Line 398: | ||
'''Paliacci'''<br /> | '''Paliacci'''<br /> | ||
a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagliacci Pagliacci] (''Clowns''), an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), an Italian composer | a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagliacci Pagliacci] (''Clowns''), an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), an Italian composer | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''priapism'''<br /> | ||
| + | persistent, usually painful erection of the penis, especially as a consequence of disease and not related to sexual arousal | ||
'''diuresis extremus'''<br /> | '''diuresis extremus'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | Extreme production of urine and, thus, need to urinate. The correct Greek-Latin term should be ''diuresis extrema'', ''diuresis'' being a feminine noun. | |
'''phobophobia'''<br /> | '''phobophobia'''<br /> | ||
| Line 303: | Line 421: | ||
'''confabulation'''<br /> | '''confabulation'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation formation of false memories] | |
| − | ''' | + | '''garrulousness'''<br /> |
| − | + | propensity to ramble | |
| − | ''' | + | '''phasece'''<br /> |
| − | + | neologism; presumably a back-formation to a plural noun from the adjective 'phasic,' which in medical parlance means "Of the activity of excitable cells or tissues: discontinuous; irregular; not tonic" (OED). "Pulmonary phasece" would be heart palpitations. | |
| + | |||
| + | '''lingual tendinitis'''<br /> | ||
| + | this would mean inflammation of the tendon of the tongue, but the tongue and mouth lack tendons | ||
==Page 557 (cont'd)== | ==Page 557 (cont'd)== | ||
| Line 324: | Line 445: | ||
'''''Track and Flange'''''<br /> | '''''Track and Flange'''''<br /> | ||
not a real magazine | not a real magazine | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''flange'''<br /> | ||
| + | a protruding rim, edge, rib, or collar, as on a wheel or a pipe shaft, used to strengthen an object, hold it in place, or attach it to another object | ||
'''ergo'''<br /> | '''ergo'''<br /> | ||
| Line 329: | Line 453: | ||
'''''energois de vivre'''''<br /> | '''''energois de vivre'''''<br /> | ||
| − | + | Something like "life energy" or "life force;" although ''energois'' isn't a real French word, it might be pronounced like ''joie'' as in ''joie de vivre.'' | |
==Page 558== | ==Page 558== | ||
| Line 335: | Line 459: | ||
'''Estuarial crocodile'''<br /> | '''Estuarial crocodile'''<br /> | ||
the [http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Estuarine+crocodile estuarine (saltwater) crocodile] | the [http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Estuarine+crocodile estuarine (saltwater) crocodile] | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Bonwit's'''<br /> | ||
| + | a reference to the now-defunct upscale department store [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonwit_Teller Bonwit Teller] | ||
'''A.D.A.'''<br /> | '''A.D.A.'''<br /> | ||
| Line 345: | Line 472: | ||
a small piece of luggage | a small piece of luggage | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''recurving'''<br /> |
| − | i.e., | + | i.e., recurring |
'''t'ai-chi'''<br /> | '''t'ai-chi'''<br /> | ||
| Line 355: | Line 482: | ||
'''mescal'''<br /> | '''mescal'''<br /> | ||
an alcoholic beverage distilled from a cactus | an alcoholic beverage distilled from a cactus | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''diphthongs'''<br /> | ||
| + | occurrences of two adjacent vowel sounds in a word, e.g, poor, sour, coin | ||
'''cableyarrow'''<br /> | '''cableyarrow'''<br /> | ||
| Line 360: | Line 490: | ||
'''''in vitro'''''<br /> | '''''in vitro'''''<br /> | ||
| − | Latin for "in glass," this term is used to refer to experiments that happen in test tubes. Lenz means ''in vivo'', i.e., ''in utero''. | + | Latin for "in glass," this term is used to refer to experiments that happen in test tubes. Lenz means ''in vivo'', i.e., ''in utero'' (or maybe not -- he might be claiming he was a product of artificial insemination, and that he actually remembers things from before he was implanted, who knows?). |
| − | + | =Hal Counts His Breaths= | |
==Page 560== | ==Page 560== | ||
| Line 375: | Line 505: | ||
family of lions | family of lions | ||
| − | + | =Lenz and Green, cont.= | |
==Page 560== | ==Page 560== | ||
| Line 383: | Line 513: | ||
'''reguiles'''<br /> | '''reguiles'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | neologism, possible portmanteau of regales (and simultaneously beguiles) | |
| − | ''' | + | '''Shrangi-la'''<br /> |
| − | the utopia of the novel ''Lost Horizon'' by James Hilton (1900-1954), a British author | + | Lenz means Shangri-La, the utopia of the novel ''Lost Horizon'' by James Hilton (1900-1954), a British author. |
'''kamasupra'''<br /> | '''kamasupra'''<br /> | ||
| − | Lenz is referring to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra Kama Sutra]. | + | a witty malaprop, as in Latin supra means above or on top of, Lenz is referring to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra Kama Sutra]. |
==Page 561== | ==Page 561== | ||
| Line 409: | Line 539: | ||
'''ravacious'''<br /> | '''ravacious'''<br /> | ||
| − | + | neologism, this would seem to be a cross between "ravenous" and "rapacious." | |
==Page 562== | ==Page 562== | ||
| Line 427: | Line 557: | ||
'''diem'''<br /> | '''diem'''<br /> | ||
Latin: day | Latin: day | ||
| + | : ''Diem'' is the singular accusative form of ''dies'' (day), which makes no grammatical sense here, so I would call it a Lenz malaprop. | ||
{{Top}} | {{Top}} | ||
{{InfiniteJest PbP}} | {{InfiniteJest PbP}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:32, 16 March 2020
- Editors: Please keep these annotations SPOILER-FREE by not revealing information from later pages in the novel. And please pay attention to formatting and grammar. Preview your changes before saving them. Thanks!
Contents
November 11th, YDAU - Gately and Joelle
Page 531
boilermakers
shots of whiskey chased with beer
keep
i.e., the barkeep
Page 532
blotto
extremely drunk
Cumberland
This must refer to the Cumberland River, which flows into the Ohio near Paducah, in the western part of Kentucky, close to Joelle's home town of Shiny Prize (see page 237).
O.D.
overdose
Page 533
metronome
a time-keeping device for musicians, typically a pendulum-like machine that clicks to provide meter
caparison
rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment
Page 534
a Type and a Symbol
These words are used by Mr. Hooper to describe the veil he wears in Nathaniel Hawthorne's story, "The Minister's Black Veil."
Page 535
gregarious
sociable
Page 536
Page 537
Page 538
slavering
drooling
☽ - Randy Lenz: Rats, Cats, and Dogs
Page 538
Duster
the Plymouth Duster was a sporty compact available from 1970 to 1976
12-gauge blast
as from as 12-gauge shotgun
Page 539
loafer one
presumably first step of the day, meaning Lenz never leaves Ennet House until after sunset
E.M.I.T.
enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique
Page 540
Endnote 224
EZC
i.e., "easy see"
NAL
New American Library
Ticknor, Fields
Ticknor and Fields was a publishing house eventually bought by Houghton Mifflin in 1880.
Page 540 (cont'd)
W-E
west-east
trebled
tripled in number or magnitude
Stegosaurus
a type of dinosaur
Page 541
verminal
probably a neologism (by Hal's criteria) for tending to breed vermin
cabbaging
stealing
brisance
the shattering effect of an explosive
Page 542
excitatingly
neologism, but probably in a manner characterized by excitation is intended
panoply
a wide-ranging array of things
A Program of Attraction
AA refers to itself as this, meaning that it doesn't need to advertise.
EST and Greenwich Mean
Eastern Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time, the latter of which is determined at the Prime Meridian, or 0º longitude
reseau
réseau is intended, a reference grid of fine lines forming uniform squares on a photographic plate or print, used to aid in measurement
DOW
probably the Dow Jones Industrial Average
NIKEI
a reference to the Nikkei 225 index of the Japanese stock market
Page 543
Eurotrochaic
neologism: Euro[pean] + trochaic; here, describing the alternating two-note sound of a European emergency siren (trochaic being the adjectival form of "trochee," a metrical foot of poetry comprised of two feet, stressed and unstressed)
winsome
charming
diverticulitis
inflammation of abnormal outpouchings of the colon
gone rye
malaprop: gone awry
Principles of Psychology and the Gifford Lectures on Natural Philosophy
"William James’s Gifford Lectures of 1901–1902 have been heralded by some as the greatest lectures ever to be presented in the series and perhaps the most seminal of his works (alongside The Principles of Psychology). Published initially in 1902, The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature has stood the test of time and been republished thirty-six times."
20-gram
About .70 ounces, this is a lot of cocaine.
bonerfied
malaprop: bona fide
Page 544
Year of the Maytag Quietmaster
ten-kilo
about 22 lbs
Caldor-brand
a chain of discount department stores in the US Northeast. The chain closed its last store in 1999.
Scopophobic
Of scopophobia; the fear of being seen or stared at.
Page 545
Bing
cocaine, usually referring to a line of the substance
phosphenes
light sensations in the eyes when light is physically absent
apnea
the tendency of mainly overweight people to stop breathing intermittently in their sleep
hone
a whetstone used to sharpen blades
Page 546
R. Lauren
Ralph Lauren
BYP
Brookline Young People's AA group
Page 547
formulating
forming
tattlemount
tantamount
Page 548
Early November, YDAU - Rodney Tine and the Samizdat
Page 548
District
the District of Columbia
Endnote 228
O.N.R.
perhaps the Office of Naval Research
ambit
sphere of operation or influence
Page 548 (cont'd)
twidgelling
not a real word
NCA
probably Northern California
Code-Five
code for "stakeout in progress"
New Iberia LA
a city about 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge
apprised
informed
pithed
having had a needle stuck into the base of the skull to sever or destroy the brainstem
Academy of D.A.S. (or V.A.S.)
It seems like it's printed as either D.A.S. or V.A.S. These are probably something like "Academy of Digital/Visual Arts and Sciences"
Page 549
U.S.O.
Undercover Special Operations
P.E.T.s
P.E.T. is the acronym for positron emission tomography, a kind of medical imaging technique; these are more commonly called PET scans
retinue
a group of attendants, advisers, etc.
November 9th, YDAU - Pemulis wanders the E.T.A. offices at night
Page 550
magical thinking
the correlation of actions and events in the absence of scientific proof
pre-Oedipal
occurring prior to the Oedipus complex typically experienced from ages 3-6
cathexis
defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea
Page 551
exhortation
a speech or discourse that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises
greeble
a small piece of detailing added to break up the surface of an object to add visual interest
Page 552
Filene's
a Boston-based department store (and chain), defunct since December 2011
chintzy
cheap and low grade
Hal's Mumsly-Wumsly
his mother, Avril Incandenza
Page 553
worsted
firmly twisted yarn
November 11th, YDAU - Lenz and Green Walking
Page 554
RIJID-brand male hairspray
appears to be a fictional brand of hairspray
Page 555
stepped on
cut, as in weakened the potency of a drug by adding another substance
half-kilo
about 1.1 pounds
Inositol
the capitalization is inappropriate. It is not a B-vitamin but at one time was thought to be one, "B8." I think from context that cyanocobalamin was intended.
Endnote 231
Manitol
a misspelling of mannitol
Page 555 (cont'd)
lineskers
lines of powdered cocaine assembled for snorting
"...go find a short pier..."
and take a long walk, being the implication
aqua-line nose
an aquiline nose
Page 556
anileated
annihilated
hemispasm
spasm on half of the face
insousistent
insouciant, meaning indifferent
aplomb
self-assurance
skirling
shrilly wailing
hackles
the erectile hairs on the back of a dog which rise up out of fear or aggression
plumb
exactly
to the maximus
maybe just "the maximum" (or "the max"), but also perhaps more Wallace wordplay, as in the gluteus maximus (the largest of the muscles in the buttocks), and so a pain in the ass
myriadly
countlessly
parallaxing
The noun parallax is a visual term; the nonce participle "parallaxing" used to describe noises here, may be Lenz's way of referring to the Doppler effect, analogous only in terms of issues of positional perspective, of the viewer of an object at some distance in the case of parallex and the hearer of a moving noisemaker (such as the siren on a speeding ambulance) in the case of the Doppler shift.
crucifi
Probably Lenz means "crucifixes."
crepuscular
relating to twilight, or possibly the animals active at this time
threnody
song of mourning for the dead
Page 557
To Project and to Swerve
a pun on the police motto "To Protect and Serve"
hoovered
inhaled (from Hoover, a brand name of vacuum cleaner)
Endnote 232
benzoylecgonine
the major metabolite of cocaine
ecgonine
an organic chemical found naturally in coca leaves
nystagmus
a rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball
benzoic acid
the simplest of the aromatic carboxylic acids
Crosbulation
if cocaine is called "Bing," Crosbulation refers to snorting cocaine, referring to the last name of Bing Crosby
spider angiomas
a type of benign swelling of the blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider's web
rhinorrhagia
bleeding from the nose
blepharospecticity
a neologism meaning something like "seeing through one's eyelids," perhaps blepharospasticity misspelt, "spasm of the eyelids"
M.A.O.-inhibiting
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, potent antidepressants, with many drug-drug and drug-diet interactions
ballism
another name for hemiballismus
oral labia
the lips of the mouth
Paliacci
a misspelling of Pagliacci (Clowns), an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), an Italian composer
priapism
persistent, usually painful erection of the penis, especially as a consequence of disease and not related to sexual arousal
diuresis extremus
Extreme production of urine and, thus, need to urinate. The correct Greek-Latin term should be diuresis extrema, diuresis being a feminine noun.
phobophobia
fear of fear
sociosis
a neurosis that has to do with one's ability to deal with society
acne rosea
also known as rosacea
rhinophyma
a red nose caused by amassing of granulomas there
synergism
the property of things working together
confabulation
formation of false memories
garrulousness
propensity to ramble
phasece
neologism; presumably a back-formation to a plural noun from the adjective 'phasic,' which in medical parlance means "Of the activity of excitable cells or tissues: discontinuous; irregular; not tonic" (OED). "Pulmonary phasece" would be heart palpitations.
lingual tendinitis
this would mean inflammation of the tendon of the tongue, but the tongue and mouth lack tendons
Page 557 (cont'd)
sangfroid
coolness of the blood (from French)
fob
an ornament attached to a pocket watch by a chain
chamois
Pronounced "shammy," this is a cloth or piece of leather used to shine a surface.
Track and Flange
not a real magazine
flange
a protruding rim, edge, rib, or collar, as on a wheel or a pipe shaft, used to strengthen an object, hold it in place, or attach it to another object
ergo
Latin: therefore
energois de vivre
Something like "life energy" or "life force;" although energois isn't a real French word, it might be pronounced like joie as in joie de vivre.
Page 558
Estuarial crocodile
the estuarine (saltwater) crocodile
Bonwit's
a reference to the now-defunct upscale department store Bonwit Teller
A.D.A.
American Dental Association
akido
Lenz means aikido.
valise
a small piece of luggage
recurving
i.e., recurring
t'ai-chi
alternate spelling of Taiji
Page 559
mescal
an alcoholic beverage distilled from a cactus
diphthongs
occurrences of two adjacent vowel sounds in a word, e.g, poor, sour, coin
cableyarrow
Caballero (Spanish for "gentleman") is what he means.
in vitro
Latin for "in glass," this term is used to refer to experiments that happen in test tubes. Lenz means in vivo, i.e., in utero (or maybe not -- he might be claiming he was a product of artificial insemination, and that he actually remembers things from before he was implanted, who knows?).
Hal Counts His Breaths
Page 560
photosynthesizing
turning light into energy, as plants do
Baobab tree
a tree native to Africa and India
pride
family of lions
Lenz and Green, cont.
Page 560
septum
the cartilage separating the nostrils
reguiles
neologism, possible portmanteau of regales (and simultaneously beguiles)
Shrangi-la
Lenz means Shangri-La, the utopia of the novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton (1900-1954), a British author.
kamasupra
a witty malaprop, as in Latin supra means above or on top of, Lenz is referring to the Kama Sutra.
Page 561
Fall River
a city in Massachusetts about 50 miles south of Boston
poofta
i.e., a poofter, a vulgar term for a male homosexual
intrepid
fearless
fauna
wildlife
Shawshine River
also known as the Shawsheen
ravacious
neologism, this would seem to be a cross between "ravenous" and "rapacious."
Page 562
scat-piles
piles of feces
feti
plural of fetus
yrstruly
yours truly
propitiating
appeasing
diem
Latin: day
- Diem is the singular accusative form of dies (day), which makes no grammatical sense here, so I would call it a Lenz malaprop.
