Neato

[anonsi]

Whatever happened to neato?  Why isn't it allowed in Chi??

[Alan W]

I know NATO and SEATO, but NEATO?

Oddly, neato as a slang word meaning great, terrific, is absent from most dictionaries, even though it seems to be used quite often. However, it is in at least one dictionary - Random House - so I'll add it to our word list.

[anonsi]

Thanks, Alan...After all, "nong" is allowed -- and is even listed as common!  I've still no idea what this means, but I found out it's primarily Australian and New Zealand(er?).  What's it mean?!

[Binkie]

 By my interpretation (which may not necessarily be correct!) a "nong" is someone either, silly, stupid, clumsy or otherwise less than perfect. It's often used quite affectionately, though...so you probably wouldn't get flattened if you called someone a "great nong". Is "doofus" the same, do you think?

[Alan W]

A nong is a fool, anonsi. Occasionally also called a ning nong.

I've seen several theories about the origin of the word:

• from English dialect ning-nang, or nigmenog
• from non compos, not of sound mind (from the Latin non compos mentis)
• from a pidgin English word brought to Australia from New Guinea by returning soldiers after the Second World War

I agree with Binks that it can be used in an affectionate way. It all depends on the context and tone.

And it probably doesn't really warrant its "common" status.

[anonsi]

Thanks.  I knew at least one of you could tell me what it means!

[Viz]

hey, Alan, is dropkick allowed? - that's another expression for a silly person by the way anonsi.

[technomc]

HI Viz...[hehehehehe]
I like that word...it's one of my favourite teaching techniques...works wonders when the little shits dears are getting out of order....
I've never heard it used in the context you are saying though...interesting..
 

[Alan W]

Yes, Viz, dropkick is a Chi word, but possibly just because of its literal meaning. How it came to mean a person of low intelligence or abilities, I don't know.

Australian English has a lot of terms for such a person: dill, drongo, no-hoper, galah, boofhead.

[technomc]

Morning VIRAL,
Drongo, no-hoper.....[no, not you silly...] i have heard of, but not the others....
Where did drongo, galah, and boofhead come from..??
I might adopt boofhead as my favourite term for my students...
 

[Binkie]

I don't know where "boofhead" came from, T, but I remember being on holiday in Cornwall many years ago, and hearing the word "bufflehead".  Means the same thing, and became an instant family word! 

[technomc]

Hiya Binks,
Have you had a good day? Not heard much from you lately!!!
I've heard of dufflehead....
My goodness you could slag people off with all these words and no-one would be any the wiser....
Might give it a try tomorrow on some of the grockles in town...
 

[Binkie]

Hello T, my forum friend with funny freads,
I haven't been ignoring you all....had all kinds of computer problems (see other post...Gawd knows where) and I've been giving up out of sheer frustration.
Had several good days, in fact, despite being utterly unable to bag a trophy. Congratulations, old bean! I see you've just done it! That'll show EJP whoever he/she may be.

[technomc]

Cheers marmate...
it was bloody hard work today...haven't had one of those trophies for a while now...it'll drive mum bonkers...i bet she's looking for the last word now and will top me off in the next 20 minutes...
oh well..it's just a game...
 

[Binkie]

It's sometimes hard to remember that, I find. The tension mounts, the temperature rises, excitement levels soar.......oh, sorry, I was thinking of something else.