Bamboozling
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On briefing my French colleague, Helene, on a job this morning she remarked that she was bumbuzzled by my brief. I thought I’d google her new word and got this…
And you know what…
It’s a real word…
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bamboozle \bam-BOO-zul\
transitive verb
1. To take in by elaborate methods of deceit; hoodwink.
Entymology: First noted in 1703, originally a slang or cant* word, perhaps Scottish from bombaze “perplex,” related to bombast, or French embabuiner “to make a fool (lit. ‘baboon’) of.”
*The word “cant” here refers to both jargon, and a play on words, specifically in heraldry, a canting, which is a visual play on words using heraldic art (devices). It is also related to the Gaelic word shelta, meaning jargon specific to that language.
Sentence: I knew that the inventor was out to bamboozle me the moment he pulled out his “working model” of the water to wine pump and it proceeded to splash grape juice concentrate on my Oriental carpet.
Comment by Helene September 28, 2007 @ 12:57 pmpossible french origin – the iiiiiirony
So how come ye cannae say it then if it’s froggy!!!
Comment by markgorman September 28, 2007 @ 12:59 pmi think being bumfuzzled by mark’s briefs may be an occupational hazzard
Comment by kennethfowler September 29, 2007 @ 12:40 amtakes one to know one
Comment by markgorman September 29, 2007 @ 2:01 amI might us that in my next Santa’s Thoughts… just to make a little more fun of the other French in me…
Comment by Santadelic September 30, 2007 @ 2:31 pm