20 July 2016
chortle
[chawr-tl]
verb (used without object), chortled, chortling.
1. to chuckle gleefully.
verb (used with object), chortled, chortling.
2. to express with a gleeful chuckle:
to chortle one’s joy.
noun
3. a gleeful chuckle.
Origin of chortle
blend of chuckle and snort; coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass (1871)
Related forms
chortler, noun
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for chortle
Contemporary Examples
Lewis Carroll really did introduce the word “ chortle ” to the English language in his 1871 poem Jabberwocky.
Why Big Data Doesn’t Live up to the Hype
Nick Romeo
January 3, 2014
He appeared also to be saying he had inside information about it that he could only chortle about, unable to spell it out.
A Keith Olbermann Hint From Morning Joe
Wayne Barrett
May 24, 2011
Historical Examples
They will not actually steal, but they will cheat you every time and chortle over it.
The American Egypt
Channing Arnold
They can yawp and chortle and call me Skyrider as if it was a joke.
Skyrider
B. M. Bower
It was almost a chortle he emitted, but he was solemn enough before Lafe had closed the door.
The Sheriff of Badger
George B. Pattullo
A dirty, yellow hand seized the bag; there was a chortle of exultation, and the two scurried out of the room.
Riders of the Silences
John Frederick
It rose again—it was like a perplexing cheep and chirrup, changing to a chortle of glee.
A Reversible Santa Claus
Meredith Nicholson
The Governor began to chortle after a quick glance at the vanishing red light of the Portsmouth car.
Blacksheep! Blacksheep!
Meredith Nicholson
Eli began to chortle, and Hannah stirred in her sleep, throwing both chubby arms over her head.
The Little Mixer
Lillian Nicholson Shearon
Frighten me, floor me, then chortle with glee, And fly away fast from the gutter and me.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, October 19 1895
Various
Anagram
her colt
Today’s quote
It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one.
– Voltaire
On this day
20 July 356 BC – birth of Alexander the Great, Macedonian King. He conquered the Persia Empire, which ruled Asia Minor, The Levant and Syria, Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia. He then invaded India before returning to Persia. He died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon, most likely by poisoning. Died 10 June 323 BC.
20 July 1919 – birth of Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist. Hillary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Died 11 January 2008.
20 July 1969 – Apollo 11 becomes the first manned landing on the moon, with Neil Armstrong the first man to walk on the moon, followed by Edwin (Buzz) Aldren Jr. Michael Collins drew the short straw and remained in orbit in order to pick up Armstrong and Aldren later.
20 July 1973 – death of Bruce Lee (born as Lee Jun-fan), martial artist and actor. Born 27 November 1940.
20 July 1976 – birth of Andrew Stockdale, Australian rock musician, leader singer, lead guitarist and founding member of Wolfmother. In 2007, Stockdale and his Wolfmother mates, won ‘Songwriter of the Year’ at the APRA Awards. Stockdale’s vocal style has been described as a cross between Ozzy Osbourne and Robert Plant. Musically, he has been compared with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. He grew up in Ashgrove, Brisbane.