Can old English words tell us something new about Thailand?
My daughter in Australia, knowing my love of the English language, recently sent me a list of archaic and now almost forgotten words that are so delightfully expressive that I believe they should be revived.
To this end I offer the following comment on the current state of politics in Thailand. [Editor’s note: Readers may consult the glossary below for definitions of the exotic words that follow.]
“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha is increasingly intolerant of the grumbletonians demonstrating against his government.
But his detractors have their point. They despise kakistocracy, and the grufeling snollygosters who perendinate time and again on dates for the return of democracy.
They uhtceare about ministerial abligurition and their cacoethes, such as buying Chinese submarines and wearing Rolex watches in public.
Anyway, enough of my twattling ultracrepidarianism.
Have a good day, Thailand.
David Brown
Rayong
Glossary:
Grumbletonian – A person unhappy with their government
Kakistocracy – Governance by the least qualified, worst and most unscrupulous
Grufeling – Wrapped in self-comfort
Snollygosters – Shrewd and unprincipled politicians
Perendinate – To put off until the day after tomorrow
Uhtceare – Lying awake worrying about what tomorrow may bring
Abligurition – Lavish spending on food and drink
Cacoethes – Irresistible urge to do the inadvisable
Twattling – Idle gossip
Ultracrepidarian – Someone who gives opinions on subjects they know nothing about
