GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Glissading

 

My newest mystery meme: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. There will be occasional words from more modern mysteries as well. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Glissading (verb) --1. to perform a ballet glissade (sliding step) 2. to slide in a standing or squatting position down a snow-covered slope without the aid of skis

They were evidently experienced partners, for they were dancing with great skill, glissading, pivoting, floating across the floor, breaking from a slow drag into a flurry of tricky little steps which diminished into a graceful turn, as Auntie Sybil took a quick drag on her cigarette in its long holder which she carried expertly in the fingers laid lightly on Uncle Rupert's shoulder. (The Eve of the Wedding by Lionel Black)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Colloguing

 

My newest mystery meme: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. There will be occasional words from more modern mysteries as well. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Colloguing (verb) --to converse privately; to intrigue or conspire

Well then the landlord and Mr. Ralph was colloguing about their cricket match and Miss Geraldine, and I wasy I dunno about Miss Gerladine, but I got a brother who strikes for the St. Mary Le Bone men, likewise he's a mighty hitter or a dead stone waller whichever they fancies best; and he's got to come to Marlow on account of being left a fortune on Saturday, and if spoke to the right way and offered his beer he'd be just as like to come on here the Sunday and play for them as well. (A Conspiracy of Poisons ~J. G. Jeffreys)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day

My newest mystery meme: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. There will be occasional words from more modern mysteries as well. 😊

So--I went of vacation towards the end of May and promptly fell off the word wagon. Let's try and start this up again. Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Contumacious (adj) --stubbornly disobedient, rebellious, or willfully resistant to authority.

"Master Maggsy," I told the child, "you're a contumacious wretch." (A Conspiracy of Poisons by J. G. Jeffreys

GAD Word of the Day: Cheiromantist

 

My newest mystery meme: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Cheiromantist (noun) - a person who practices palmistry, the art of reading character and predicting future events through the interpretation of lines, shapes, and mounts on a person's palm.

Suddenly she looked eagerly around the room and said, in her clear contralto voice, "Where is my cheiromantist?" (from "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime: A Study of Duty" by Oscar Wilde in Murder Mayhem Short Stories)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Pelf

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Pelf (noun) Money or wealth, especially if gained dishonestly.

Immediately upon beholding this amulet we knew that we must possess it; that this treasure alone was our logical pelf from the centuried grave. ("The Hound" by H. P. Lovecraft in Murder Mayhem Short Stories)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Manzanita (n) A genus of evergreen shrubs and small trees native to western North America

Unable in the darkness to penetrate the thickets of manzanita and other undergrowth, utterly bewildered and overcome with fatigue, he had lain down near the root of a large madrono and fallen into a dreamless sleep.

From "The Death of Halpin Frayser" by Ambrose Bierce in Murder Mayhem Short Stories

Bonus word: Madrono (n) an evergreen shrub or small tree known for its red, strawberry-like fruit, though it's not related to the common strawberry

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Extirpate

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Extirpate (verb) a) to destroy completely b) to pull up by the root He thought the best way to restore our dominion over the colonies would be to lay waste to the land and "extirpate the present rebellious race," basically through the liberal use of plunder, pillage, rape, and slaughter. (When the Wolves Are Silent by C. S. Harris)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Lumper

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Lumper (noun; British slang) A casual laborer or dockworker employed to load and unload cargo ships and timber vessels.Originated around the late 18th C.

(from When the Wolves Are Silent by C. S. Harris)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Cornichons

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD*) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Cornichons (noun, pl) A specific type of tiny, tart French gherkin (usually 1-2 inches long) pickled in vinegar with herbs like tarragon and garlic. Much cruncier and distinctly sour than dill pickles, and usually paired with charcuterie.

He like full-sized pickles; I am strictly a cornichons girl. (Who Done It? compiled & edited by Jon Scieszka)

(*Except...today's word is definitely not GAD. Haven't had a suitable word from a vintage mystery for a while...)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Glaucous

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Glaucous (adj): Of a dull grayish-green or blue color

Heck's glaucous eyes were fixed on Littlejohn's face. He was enjoying himself. (The Body in the Dumb River ~George Bellairs)

I was thinking it had to do with glaucoma.

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Intriguante

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Intriguante (French noun) A female schemer or a woman who engages in plotting

To my mind Consuelo was a born intriguante. Nor are her actions all of a piece. (Harriet Farewell ~Margaret Erskine)

 

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Carilaginous Fish

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Cartilaginous Fish (noun): fish that have skeletons made of cartilage, not bone, unlike most other fish.

What they do, these fraudulent artisans, is they obtain some species of cartilaginous fish and manipulate it by hand before treating it chemically so it eventually resembles some manner of mythological beast. (from the GAD-style mystery The Murder Wheel by Tom Mead)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Pareidolia

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Pareidolia (noun): the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.

This is a first-class case of pareidolia. You're trying to pick out patterns where there aren't any, like those fools who look for faces in clouds. (from the GAD-style mystery The Murder Wheel by Tom Mead)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Gossamer

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Gossamer [as used in the book*] (noun): Gossamer cloaks were lightweight, sheer garments often made from silk or lace. Often worn over dresses, they provided a sense of modesty while enhancing femininity.

She had on what is called a gossamer, which covered her from neck to toe, and on her head a hat wrapped all around with a blue veil. (That Affair Next Door ~Anna Katharine Green)

*I knew the basic meaning of gossamer, but hadn't come across gossamer as a garment before.

GAD Word of the Day: Ebullitions

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Ebullitions (nount): sudden outburst of emotions or violence

"Have you read the horrid papers?" and "How is papa this morning?" and "What shall we do to save Howard?" now flew in rapid questions from their lips; and feeling that it was but natural that they should have their little say, I sat down in my most uncomfortable chair and waited for these first ebullitions to exhaust themselves, (from That Affair Next Door ~Anna Katharine Green)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Cognomen

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Cognomen (noun) 1. surname; especially the third of usually three names of an ancient Roman 2. nickname or epithet

My father, who was a shrewd man of the old New England type, said more times than I am years old (which is not saying it as often as some may think) that Araminta (the name I was christened by, and the name you will find in the Bible record, though I sign myself Amelia, and insist upon being addressed as Amelia, being, as I hope, a sensible woman and not the piece of antiquated sentimentality suggested by the former cognomen)....

From That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Minatory

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day is minatory (adj): having a menacing quality.

On his head was hardly a vestige of hair, but in compensation he had the most minatory of eyebrows. (The Plumley Inheritance by Christopher Bush)

Now, from context, I would have thought it meant abundant or some such.

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Abysm of Time

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word (phrase) of the Day is "abysm of time": phrase from Shakespeare's The Tempest referring to the distant, murky, and nearly forgotten past. It suggests the past is a deep, dark, and indistinct abyss—a "bottomless pit" of memory. The phrase is also used to represent the immense depth of history.

As to his [Plumley's] origins, none could say for certain. There were some who professed to have known him, in the dark backward and abysm of time, as a solicitor's clerk or a kind of glorified insurance agent; but it is to be doubted whether such knowledge was other than it usually is in these cases, the boasting of some cheap liar broadcast into rumour. (The Plumley Inheritance ~Christopher Bush)

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word [phrase] of the Day is gymkhana (noun): a day event comprising races and other competitions between horse riders or car drivers.

The driver, having been told that haste was urgent, was already taking risks. Like a cyclist at a gymkhana, he twisted here and there; purred impatiently behind a slowly moving vehicle as if in ambus and then darted again through the narrowed gaps. (The Plumley Inheritance ~Christopher Bush)

GAD Mystery Word of the Day: Arkhon

 

My new bookish meme for 2026: the Golden Age of Detection (GAD) Mystery Word of the Day. Whenever I find a word that I'm unfamiliar with--or shall we say not absolutely confident I know the exact meaning of, I'm going to actually take time to look it up and share it with mystery-lovers everywhere. 😊

Today's GAD Mystery Word of the Day is arkhon (noun): (from Greek archōn, meaning "ruler" or "lord") is a term for a leader, magistrate, or high-ranking official. Historically, it referred to the chief magistrates in ancient Athens.

Tears will have their season, but now tell us what has happened--what you know, that is--so that we may lay the case before the Basilius and see that the arkhon is informed.

Bonus word Basilius: a masculine name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from basileus, meaning "royal," "kingly," or "emperor".