2 April 2017

runcible

[run-suh-buh l]

noun

1871, a nonsense word coined by Edward Lear; used especially in runcible spoon “spoon with three short tines like a fork,” which first took the name 1926.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Historical Examples

The veritable Pobble who went to fish for his Aunt Jobiska’s runcible cat with crimson whiskers.
The Librarian at Play
Edmund Lester Pearson

The man who greeted me was runcible, with little strands of sickly hair twisted mopwise over his bald head.
Greener Than You Think
Ward Moore

runcible spoon

noun

A fork curved like a spoon, with three broad prongs, one of which has a sharpened outer edge for cutting.

Example sentences

‘After reading last week’s article on the origin of the spoon/fork combo, known as the spork, Nell of Sarasota e-mailed asking whether I was familiar with the runcible spoon used by Owl and Pussycat to eat quince in Edward Lear’s famous poem.’

Origin

Late 19th century: used by Edward Lear, perhaps suggested by late 16th-century rouncival, denoting a large variety of pea.

Oxford English Living Dictionary

Anagram

club rein
lucre bin

Today’s quote

We think too much and feel too little.

– Charlie Chaplin

On this day

2 April 1926 – birth of Sir John Arthur ‘Jack’ Brabham AO OBE, Australian racing legend, 3 times Formula One world champion (1959, 1960, 1966).

2 April 1972 – Charlie Chaplin returns to the U.S. after 20 years of self-imposed exiled for ‘un-American’ activities. He had been accused during the McCarthy era of being a communist sympathiser.

2 April 1982 – Argentina invades the Falkland Islands, a British-controlled territory. The conflict escalates with Britain sending troops to expel Argentina. The conflict ends on 14 June 1982 when Britain regains control of the Islands.

2 April 2007 – Argentina restates its claim that the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina. Britain continues to oppose the claim.