To reef a sail, roll it up on itself and bundle the material along a boom or mast. This reduces its effective area, which, apparently, proves useful in high winds. I learned of this word in the Friday NY Times Crossword Puzzle of December 1, 2023. Reefing reduces the area of a sail, usually by folding or …
Category Archives: Content
Fantods
The creeps. I saw it in the Sunday NY Times Crossword Puzzle of January 22. a state of extreme nervousness or restlessness; the willies; the fidgets (usually preceded by the) “Definition of Fantod.” In Dictionary.Com, n.d. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fantods.
Trypophobia
“Trypophobia brings on feelings of disgust or fear when you see patterns with lots of holes. Sunflowers, honeycombs, sponges and seedy fruits can cause this response.”
Hazel Scott
I am not sure why Hazel Scott was never on my radar, but today’s Candorville comic let me know about her. Scott was a virtuosa classical and jazz pianist (YouTube) who also fought for civil rights and against McCarthyism (Wikipedia).
Sacculina Barnacle
The male appears to eat the eggs that he has fertilised…, and it is in this moist [vocal sac] chamber that the eggs lodge.
Frog Eggs
The male appears to eat the eggs that he has fertilised…, and it is in this moist [vocal sac] chamber that the eggs lodge.