Difference between revisions of "Pages 531-562"

m (→‎Page 533)
(→‎Page 562: diem)
 
(91 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{PbP Header}}
 
{{PbP Header}}
  
−
<span class="marker">531 · Gately and Joelle</span>
+
=November 11th, YDAU - Gately and Joelle=
  
 
==Page 531==
 
==Page 531==
−
 
−
[[Subsidized Time|Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment]]
 
  
 
'''boilermakers'''<br />
 
'''boilermakers'''<br />
Line 14: Line 12:
  
 
==Page 532==
 
==Page 532==
 +
 +
'''blotto'''<br />
 +
extremely drunk
  
 
'''Cumberland'''<br />
 
'''Cumberland'''<br />
−
Given that Joelle is from Kentucky, this is probably a reference to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Mountains Cumberland Mountains]
+
This must refer to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_River Cumberland River], which flows into the Ohio near Paducah, in the western part of Kentucky, close to Joelle's home town of Shiny Prize (see page 237).
  
 
'''O.D.'''<br />
 
'''O.D.'''<br />
Line 25: Line 26:
 
'''metronome'''<br />
 
'''metronome'''<br />
 
a time-keeping device for musicians, typically a pendulum-like machine that clicks to provide meter
 
a time-keeping device for musicians, typically a pendulum-like machine that clicks to provide meter
 +
 +
'''caparison'''<br />
 +
rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment
 +
 +
==Page 534==
 +
 +
'''a Type and a Symbol'''<br />
 +
These words are used by Mr. Hooper to describe the veil he wears in Nathaniel Hawthorne's story, [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Minister's_Black_Veil "The Minister's Black Veil."]
  
 
==Page 535==
 
==Page 535==
Line 40: Line 49:
 
drooling
 
drooling
  
−
<span class="marker">538* · Randy Lenz: Rats, Cats, and Dogs</span>
+
=☽ - Randy Lenz: Rats, Cats, and Dogs=
  
 
==Page 538==
 
==Page 538==
 +
 +
'''Duster'''<br />
 +
the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Duster Plymouth Duster] was a sporty compact available from 1970 to 1976
  
 
'''12-gauge blast'''<br />
 
'''12-gauge blast'''<br />
Line 48: Line 60:
  
 
==Page 539==
 
==Page 539==
 +
 +
'''loafer one'''<br />
 +
presumably first step of the day, meaning Lenz never leaves Ennet House until after sunset
  
 
'''E.M.I.T.'''<br />
 
'''E.M.I.T.'''<br />
Line 71: Line 86:
 
'''W-E'''<br />
 
'''W-E'''<br />
 
west-east
 
west-east
 +
 +
'''trebled'''<br />
 +
tripled in number or magnitude
  
 
'''Stegosaurus'''<br />
 
'''Stegosaurus'''<br />
Line 78: Line 96:
  
 
'''verminal'''<br />
 
'''verminal'''<br />
−
tending to breed vermin
+
probably a neologism (by Hal's criteria) for tending to breed vermin
  
 
'''cabbaging'''<br />
 
'''cabbaging'''<br />
Line 87: Line 105:
  
 
==Page 542==
 
==Page 542==
 +
'''excitatingly'''<br />
 +
neologism, but probably in a manner characterized by excitation is intended
  
 
'''panoply'''<br />
 
'''panoply'''<br />
Line 96: Line 116:
 
'''EST and Greenwich Mean'''<br />
 
'''EST and Greenwich Mean'''<br />
 
Eastern Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time, the latter of which is determined at the Prime Meridian, or 0º longitude
 
Eastern Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time, the latter of which is determined at the Prime Meridian, or 0º longitude
 +
 +
'''reseau'''<br />
 +
réseau is intended, a reference grid of fine lines forming uniform squares on a photographic plate or print, used to aid in measurement
  
 
'''DOW'''<br />
 
'''DOW'''<br />
Line 104: Line 127:
  
 
==Page 543==
 
==Page 543==
 +
'''Eurotrochaic'''<br />
 +
neologism: Euro[pean] + trochaic; here, describing the alternating two-note sound of a European emergency siren (trochaic being the adjectival form of "trochee,"  a metrical foot of poetry comprised of two feet, stressed and unstressed)
  
 
'''winsome'''<br />
 
'''winsome'''<br />
Line 109: Line 134:
  
 
'''diverticulitis'''<br />
 
'''diverticulitis'''<br />
−
inflammation of the pouches of the colon
+
inflammation of abnormal outpouchings of the colon
  
 
'''gone rye'''<br />
 
'''gone rye'''<br />
−
i.e., gone awry
+
malaprop: gone awry
  
 
'''Principles of Psychology and the Gifford Lectures on Natural Philosophy'''<br />
 
'''Principles of Psychology and the Gifford Lectures on Natural Philosophy'''<br />
−
"[http://www.giffordlectures.org/Author.asp?AuthorID=88 William James’s Gifford Lectures] of 1901–1902 have been heralded by some as the greatest lectures ever to be presented in the series and perhaps the most seminal of his works (alongside The Principles of Psychology). Published initially in 1902, [http://www.csp.org/experience/james-varieties/james-varieties.html The Varieties of Religions Experience: A Study in Human Nature] has stood the test of time and been republished thirty-six times."
+
"[http://www.giffordlectures.org/Author.asp?AuthorID=88 William James’s Gifford Lectures] of 1901–1902 have been heralded by some as the greatest lectures ever to be presented in the series and perhaps the most seminal of his works (alongside The Principles of Psychology). Published initially in 1902, [http://www.csp.org/experience/james-varieties/james-varieties.html The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature] has stood the test of time and been republished thirty-six times."
  
 
'''20-gram'''<br />
 
'''20-gram'''<br />
Line 121: Line 146:
  
 
'''bonerfied'''<br />
 
'''bonerfied'''<br />
−
bona fide
+
malaprop: bona fide
  
 
==Page 544==
 
==Page 544==
Line 129: Line 154:
 
'''ten-kilo'''<br />
 
'''ten-kilo'''<br />
 
about 22 lbs
 
about 22 lbs
 +
 +
'''Caldor-brand'''<br />
 +
a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldor chain] of discount department stores in the US Northeast. The chain closed its last store in 1999.
 +
 +
'''Scopophobic'''<br />
 +
Of scopophobia; the fear of being seen or stared at.
  
 
==Page 545==
 
==Page 545==
 +
'''Bing'''<br />
 +
cocaine, usually referring to a line of the substance
  
 
'''phosphenes'''<br />
 
'''phosphenes'''<br />
Line 137: Line 170:
 
'''apnea'''<br />
 
'''apnea'''<br />
 
the tendency of mainly overweight people to stop breathing intermittently in their sleep
 
the tendency of mainly overweight people to stop breathing intermittently in their sleep
 +
 +
'''hone'''<br />
 +
a whetstone used to sharpen blades
  
 
==Page 546==
 
==Page 546==
Line 142: Line 178:
 
'''R. Lauren'''<br />
 
'''R. Lauren'''<br />
 
Ralph Lauren
 
Ralph Lauren
 +
 +
'''BYP'''<br />
 +
Brookline Young People's AA group
  
 
==Page 547==
 
==Page 547==
 +
 +
'''formulating'''<br />
 +
forming
  
 
'''tattlemount'''<br />
 
'''tattlemount'''<br />
Line 150: Line 192:
 
==Page 548==
 
==Page 548==
  
−
<span class="marker">548 · Rodney Tine and the ''Samizdat''</span>
+
=Early November, YDAU - Rodney Tine and the ''Samizdat''=
  
 
==Page 548==
 
==Page 548==
−
 
−
[[Subsidized Time|Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment]]
 
  
 
'''District'''<br />
 
'''District'''<br />
Line 180: Line 220:
 
'''New Iberia LA'''<br />
 
'''New Iberia LA'''<br />
 
a city about 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge
 
a city about 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge
 +
 +
'''apprised'''<br />
 +
informed
  
 
'''pithed'''<br />
 
'''pithed'''<br />
−
having had a needle stuck into the base of the skull
+
having had a needle stuck into the base of the skull to sever or destroy the brainstem
 +
 
 +
'''Academy of D.A.S. (or V.A.S.)'''<br/>
 +
It seems like it's printed as either D.A.S. or V.A.S. These are probably something like "Academy of Digital/Visual Arts and Sciences"
 +
 
 +
==Page 549==
  
 
'''U.S.O.'''<br />
 
'''U.S.O.'''<br />
Line 188: Line 236:
  
 
'''P.E.T.s'''<br />
 
'''P.E.T.s'''<br />
−
positron emission tomography, a kind of medical imaging technique
+
P.E.T. is the acronym for positron emission tomography, a kind of medical imaging technique; these are more commonly called PET scans
  
−
<span class="marker">574 · Orin Realizes Something</span>
+
'''retinue'''<br />
 +
a group of attendants, advisers, etc.
  
 +
=November 9th, YDAU - Pemulis wanders the E.T.A. offices at night=
  
−
<span class="marker">553 · Lenz and Green Walking</span>
+
==Page 550==
  
−
==Page 553==
+
'''magical thinking'''<br />
 +
the correlation of actions and events in the absence of scientific proof
  
−
[[Subsidized Time|Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment]]
+
'''pre-Oedipal'''<br />
 +
occurring prior to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus_complex Oedipus complex] typically experienced from ages 3-6
 +
 
 +
'''cathexis'''<br />
 +
defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea
 +
 
 +
==Page 551==
 +
 
 +
'''exhortation'''<br />
 +
a speech or discourse that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises
 +
 
 +
'''greeble'''<br />
 +
a small piece of detailing added to break up the surface of an object to add visual interest
 +
 
 +
==Page 552==
 +
 
 +
'''Filene's'''<br />
 +
a Boston-based [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filene%27s department store] (and chain), defunct since December 2011
 +
 
 +
'''chintzy'''<br />
 +
cheap and low grade
 +
 
 +
'''Hal's Mumsly-Wumsly'''<br />
 +
his mother, Avril Incandenza
 +
 
 +
==Page 553==
  
 
'''worsted'''<br />
 
'''worsted'''<br />
 
firmly twisted yarn
 
firmly twisted yarn
  
 +
=November 11th, YDAU - Lenz and Green Walking=
  
 +
==Page 554==
 +
 +
'''RIJID-brand male hairspray'''<br />
 +
appears to be a fictional brand of hairspray
  
 
==Page 555==
 
==Page 555==
Line 211: Line 292:
 
'''half-kilo'''<br />
 
'''half-kilo'''<br />
 
about 1.1 pounds
 
about 1.1 pounds
 +
 +
'''Inositol'''<br />
 +
the capitalization is inappropriate. It is not a B-vitamin but at one time was thought to be one, "B8." I think from context that cyanocobalamin was intended.
  
 
==Endnote 231==
 
==Endnote 231==
  
 
'''Manitol'''<br />
 
'''Manitol'''<br />
−
a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitol manitol]
+
a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannitol mannitol]
  
 
==Page 555 (cont'd)==
 
==Page 555 (cont'd)==
 +
 +
'''lineskers'''<br />
 +
lines of powdered cocaine assembled for snorting
  
 
'''"...go find a short pier..."'''<br />
 
'''"...go find a short pier..."'''<br />
Line 234: Line 321:
  
 
'''insousistent'''<br />
 
'''insousistent'''<br />
−
insouciant
+
insouciant, meaning indifferent
 +
 
 +
'''aplomb'''<br />
 +
self-assurance
 +
 
 +
'''skirling'''<br />
 +
shrilly wailing
 +
 
 +
'''hackles'''<br />
 +
the erectile hairs on the back of a dog which rise up out of fear or aggression
 +
 
 +
'''plumb'''<br />
 +
exactly
 +
 
 +
'''to the maximus'''<br />
 +
maybe just "the maximum" (or "the max"), but also perhaps more Wallace wordplay, as in the ''gluteus maximus'' (the largest of the muscles in the buttocks), and so a pain in the ass
 +
 
 +
'''myriadly'''<br />
 +
countlessly
  
 
'''parallaxing'''<br />
 
'''parallaxing'''<br />
−
Normally a noun ("parallel") and referring to light, here it's used as a verb (gerund) and refers to sound.
+
The noun [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax ''parallax''] is a visual term; the nonce participle "parallaxing" used to describe noises here, may be Lenz's way of referring to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect Doppler effect], analogous only in terms of issues of positional perspective, of the ''viewer'' of an object at some distance in the case of ''parallex'' and the ''hearer'' of a moving noisemaker (such as the siren on a speeding ambulance) in the case of the ''Doppler shift''.
  
 
'''crucifi'''<br />
 
'''crucifi'''<br />
 
Probably Lenz means "crucifixes."
 
Probably Lenz means "crucifixes."
 +
 +
'''crepuscular'''<br />
 +
relating to twilight, or possibly the animals active at this time
  
 
'''threnody'''<br />
 
'''threnody'''<br />
−
a funeral dirge
+
song of mourning for the dead
  
 
==Page 557==
 
==Page 557==
Line 251: Line 359:
  
 
'''hoovered'''<br />
 
'''hoovered'''<br />
−
inhaled
+
inhaled (from Hoover, a brand name of vacuum cleaner)
  
 
==Endnote 232==
 
==Endnote 232==
Line 260: Line 368:
 
'''ecgonine'''<br />
 
'''ecgonine'''<br />
 
an organic chemical found naturally in coca leaves
 
an organic chemical found naturally in coca leaves
 +
 +
'''nystagmus'''<br />
 +
a rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball
  
 
'''benzoic acid'''<br />
 
'''benzoic acid'''<br />
−
the simplest of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxylic_acid caroxylic acids]
+
the simplest of the aromatic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxylic_acid carboxylic acids]
 +
 
 +
'''Crosbulation'''<br />
 +
if cocaine is called "Bing," Crosbulation refers to snorting cocaine, referring to the last name of Bing Crosby
  
 
'''spider angiomas'''<br />
 
'''spider angiomas'''<br />
−
a type of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_angioma benign tumor]
+
a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_angioma benign swelling] of the blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider's web
  
 
'''rhinorrhagia'''<br />
 
'''rhinorrhagia'''<br />
Line 271: Line 385:
  
 
'''blepharospecticity'''<br />
 
'''blepharospecticity'''<br />
−
This means something like "seeing through one's eyelids."
+
a neologism meaning something like "seeing through one's eyelids," perhaps blepharospasticity misspelt, "spasm of the eyelids"
 +
 
 +
'''M.A.O.-inhibiting'''<br />
 +
'''m'''ono'''a'''mine '''o'''xidase inhibitors, potent antidepressants, with many drug-drug and drug-diet interactions
  
 
'''ballism'''<br />
 
'''ballism'''<br />
Line 281: Line 398:
 
'''Paliacci'''<br />
 
'''Paliacci'''<br />
 
a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagliacci Pagliacci] (''Clowns''), an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), an Italian composer
 
a misspelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagliacci Pagliacci] (''Clowns''), an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), an Italian composer
 +
 +
'''priapism'''<br />
 +
persistent, usually painful erection of the penis, especially as a consequence of disease and not related to sexual arousal
  
 
'''diuresis extremus'''<br />
 
'''diuresis extremus'''<br />
−
extreme production of urine and, thus, need to urinate
+
Extreme production of urine and, thus, need to urinate. The correct Greek-Latin term should be ''diuresis extrema'', ''diuresis'' being a feminine noun.
  
 
'''phobophobia'''<br />
 
'''phobophobia'''<br />
Line 301: Line 421:
  
 
'''confabulation'''<br />
 
'''confabulation'''<br />
−
talking
+
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation formation of false memories]
  
−
'''lingual tendinitis'''<br />
+
'''garrulousness'''<br />
−
inflammation of the muscles of the tongue
+
propensity to ramble
  
−
'''pulmonary phasece'''<br />
+
'''phasece'''<br />
−
I have no idea.
+
neologism; presumably a back-formation to a plural noun from the adjective 'phasic,' which in medical parlance means "Of the activity of excitable cells or tissues: discontinuous; irregular; not tonic" (OED). "Pulmonary phasece" would be heart palpitations.
 +
 
 +
'''lingual tendinitis'''<br />
 +
this would mean inflammation of the tendon of the tongue, but the tongue and mouth lack tendons
  
 
==Page 557 (cont'd)==
 
==Page 557 (cont'd)==
Line 322: Line 445:
 
'''''Track and Flange'''''<br />
 
'''''Track and Flange'''''<br />
 
not a real magazine
 
not a real magazine
 +
 +
'''flange'''<br />
 +
a protruding rim, edge, rib, or collar, as on a wheel or a pipe shaft, used to strengthen an object, hold it in place, or attach it to another object
  
 
'''ergo'''<br />
 
'''ergo'''<br />
Line 327: Line 453:
  
 
'''''energois de vivre'''''<br />
 
'''''energois de vivre'''''<br />
−
something like "energy of living," although ''energois'' isn't a French work
+
Something like "life energy" or "life force;" although ''energois'' isn't a real French word, it might be pronounced like ''joie'' as in ''joie de vivre.''
  
 
==Page 558==
 
==Page 558==
Line 333: Line 459:
 
'''Estuarial crocodile'''<br />
 
'''Estuarial crocodile'''<br />
 
the [http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Estuarine+crocodile estuarine (saltwater) crocodile]
 
the [http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Estuarine+crocodile estuarine (saltwater) crocodile]
 +
 +
'''Bonwit's'''<br />
 +
a reference to the now-defunct upscale department store [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonwit_Teller Bonwit Teller]
  
 
'''A.D.A.'''<br />
 
'''A.D.A.'''<br />
Line 343: Line 472:
 
a small piece of luggage
 
a small piece of luggage
  
−
'''recurvent'''<br />
+
'''recurving'''<br />
−
i.e., recurrent
+
i.e., recurring
  
 
'''t'ai-chi'''<br />
 
'''t'ai-chi'''<br />
Line 353: Line 482:
 
'''mescal'''<br />
 
'''mescal'''<br />
 
an alcoholic beverage distilled from a cactus
 
an alcoholic beverage distilled from a cactus
 +
 +
'''diphthongs'''<br />
 +
occurrences of two adjacent vowel sounds in a word, e.g, poor, sour, coin
  
 
'''cableyarrow'''<br />
 
'''cableyarrow'''<br />
Line 358: Line 490:
  
 
'''''in vitro'''''<br />
 
'''''in vitro'''''<br />
−
Latin for "in glass," this term is used to refer to experiments that happen in test tubes. Lenz means ''in vivo'', i.e., ''in utero''.
+
Latin for "in glass," this term is used to refer to experiments that happen in test tubes. Lenz means ''in vivo'', i.e., ''in utero'' (or maybe not -- he might be claiming he was a product of artificial insemination, and that he actually remembers things from before he was implanted, who knows?).
  
−
<span class="marker">560 (1) · Hal Counts His Breaths</span>
+
=Hal Counts His Breaths=
  
 
==Page 560==
 
==Page 560==
Line 373: Line 505:
 
family of lions
 
family of lions
  
−
<span class="marker">560 (2) · Lenz and Green Continued</span>
+
=Lenz and Green, cont.=
  
 
==Page 560==
 
==Page 560==
Line 381: Line 513:
  
 
'''reguiles'''<br />
 
'''reguiles'''<br />
−
i.e., regales
+
neologism, possible portmanteau of regales (and simultaneously beguiles)
  
−
'''Shangri-la'''<br />
+
'''Shrangi-la'''<br />
−
the utopia of the novel ''Lost Horizon'' by James Hilton (1900-1954), a British author
+
Lenz means Shangri-La, the utopia of the novel ''Lost Horizon'' by James Hilton (1900-1954), a British author.
  
 
'''kamasupra'''<br />
 
'''kamasupra'''<br />
−
Lenz is referring to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra Kama Sutra].
+
a witty malaprop, as in Latin supra means above or on top of, Lenz is referring to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra Kama Sutra].
  
 
==Page 561==
 
==Page 561==
Line 407: Line 539:
  
 
'''ravacious'''<br />
 
'''ravacious'''<br />
−
This would seem to be a cross between "ravenous" and "rapacious."
+
neologism, this would seem to be a cross between "ravenous" and "rapacious."
  
 
==Page 562==
 
==Page 562==
Line 425: Line 557:
 
'''diem'''<br />
 
'''diem'''<br />
 
Latin: day
 
Latin: day
 +
: ''Diem'' is the singular accusative form of ''dies'' (day), which makes no grammatical sense here, so I would call it a Lenz malaprop.
  
 
{{Top}}
 
{{Top}}
 
{{InfiniteJest PbP}}
 
{{InfiniteJest PbP}}

Latest revision as of 20:32, 16 March 2020

Editors: Please keep these annotations SPOILER-FREE by not revealing information from later pages in the novel. And please pay attention to formatting and grammar. Preview your changes before saving them. Thanks!

November 11th, YDAU - Gately and Joelle

Page 531

boilermakers
shots of whiskey chased with beer

keep
i.e., the barkeep

Page 532

blotto
extremely drunk

Cumberland
This must refer to the Cumberland River, which flows into the Ohio near Paducah, in the western part of Kentucky, close to Joelle's home town of Shiny Prize (see page 237).

O.D.
overdose

Page 533

metronome
a time-keeping device for musicians, typically a pendulum-like machine that clicks to provide meter

caparison
rich and sumptuous clothing or equipment

Page 534

a Type and a Symbol
These words are used by Mr. Hooper to describe the veil he wears in Nathaniel Hawthorne's story, "The Minister's Black Veil."

Page 535

gregarious
sociable

Page 536

Page 537

Page 538

slavering
drooling

☽ - Randy Lenz: Rats, Cats, and Dogs

Page 538

Duster
the Plymouth Duster was a sporty compact available from 1970 to 1976

12-gauge blast
as from as 12-gauge shotgun

Page 539

loafer one
presumably first step of the day, meaning Lenz never leaves Ennet House until after sunset

E.M.I.T.
enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique

Page 540

Endnote 224

EZC
i.e., "easy see"

NAL
New American Library

Ticknor, Fields
Ticknor and Fields was a publishing house eventually bought by Houghton Mifflin in 1880.

Y.T.M.P.

Page 540 (cont'd)

W-E
west-east

trebled
tripled in number or magnitude

Stegosaurus
a type of dinosaur

Page 541

verminal
probably a neologism (by Hal's criteria) for tending to breed vermin

cabbaging
stealing

brisance
the shattering effect of an explosive

Page 542

excitatingly
neologism, but probably in a manner characterized by excitation is intended

panoply
a wide-ranging array of things

A Program of Attraction
AA refers to itself as this, meaning that it doesn't need to advertise.

EST and Greenwich Mean
Eastern Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time, the latter of which is determined at the Prime Meridian, or 0º longitude

reseau
réseau is intended, a reference grid of fine lines forming uniform squares on a photographic plate or print, used to aid in measurement

DOW
probably the Dow Jones Industrial Average

NIKEI
a reference to the Nikkei 225 index of the Japanese stock market

Page 543

Eurotrochaic
neologism: Euro[pean] + trochaic; here, describing the alternating two-note sound of a European emergency siren (trochaic being the adjectival form of "trochee," a metrical foot of poetry comprised of two feet, stressed and unstressed)

winsome
charming

diverticulitis
inflammation of abnormal outpouchings of the colon

gone rye
malaprop: gone awry

Principles of Psychology and the Gifford Lectures on Natural Philosophy
"William James’s Gifford Lectures of 1901–1902 have been heralded by some as the greatest lectures ever to be presented in the series and perhaps the most seminal of his works (alongside The Principles of Psychology). Published initially in 1902, The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature has stood the test of time and been republished thirty-six times."

20-gram
About .70 ounces, this is a lot of cocaine.

bonerfied
malaprop: bona fide

Page 544

Year of the Maytag Quietmaster

ten-kilo
about 22 lbs

Caldor-brand
a chain of discount department stores in the US Northeast. The chain closed its last store in 1999.

Scopophobic
Of scopophobia; the fear of being seen or stared at.

Page 545

Bing
cocaine, usually referring to a line of the substance

phosphenes
light sensations in the eyes when light is physically absent

apnea
the tendency of mainly overweight people to stop breathing intermittently in their sleep

hone
a whetstone used to sharpen blades

Page 546

R. Lauren
Ralph Lauren

BYP
Brookline Young People's AA group

Page 547

formulating
forming

tattlemount
tantamount

Page 548

Early November, YDAU - Rodney Tine and the Samizdat

Page 548

District
the District of Columbia

Endnote 228

O.N.R.
perhaps the Office of Naval Research

ambit
sphere of operation or influence

Page 548 (cont'd)

twidgelling
not a real word

NCA
probably Northern California

Code-Five
code for "stakeout in progress"

New Iberia LA
a city about 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge

apprised
informed

pithed
having had a needle stuck into the base of the skull to sever or destroy the brainstem

Academy of D.A.S. (or V.A.S.)
It seems like it's printed as either D.A.S. or V.A.S. These are probably something like "Academy of Digital/Visual Arts and Sciences"

Page 549

U.S.O.
Undercover Special Operations

P.E.T.s
P.E.T. is the acronym for positron emission tomography, a kind of medical imaging technique; these are more commonly called PET scans

retinue
a group of attendants, advisers, etc.

November 9th, YDAU - Pemulis wanders the E.T.A. offices at night

Page 550

magical thinking
the correlation of actions and events in the absence of scientific proof

pre-Oedipal
occurring prior to the Oedipus complex typically experienced from ages 3-6

cathexis
defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea

Page 551

exhortation
a speech or discourse that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises

greeble
a small piece of detailing added to break up the surface of an object to add visual interest

Page 552

Filene's
a Boston-based department store (and chain), defunct since December 2011

chintzy
cheap and low grade

Hal's Mumsly-Wumsly
his mother, Avril Incandenza

Page 553

worsted
firmly twisted yarn

November 11th, YDAU - Lenz and Green Walking

Page 554

RIJID-brand male hairspray
appears to be a fictional brand of hairspray

Page 555

stepped on
cut, as in weakened the potency of a drug by adding another substance

half-kilo
about 1.1 pounds

Inositol
the capitalization is inappropriate. It is not a B-vitamin but at one time was thought to be one, "B8." I think from context that cyanocobalamin was intended.

Endnote 231

Manitol
a misspelling of mannitol

Page 555 (cont'd)

lineskers
lines of powdered cocaine assembled for snorting

"...go find a short pier..."
and take a long walk, being the implication

aqua-line nose
an aquiline nose

Page 556

anileated
annihilated

hemispasm
spasm on half of the face

insousistent
insouciant, meaning indifferent

aplomb
self-assurance

skirling
shrilly wailing

hackles
the erectile hairs on the back of a dog which rise up out of fear or aggression

plumb
exactly

to the maximus
maybe just "the maximum" (or "the max"), but also perhaps more Wallace wordplay, as in the gluteus maximus (the largest of the muscles in the buttocks), and so a pain in the ass

myriadly
countlessly

parallaxing
The noun parallax is a visual term; the nonce participle "parallaxing" used to describe noises here, may be Lenz's way of referring to the Doppler effect, analogous only in terms of issues of positional perspective, of the viewer of an object at some distance in the case of parallex and the hearer of a moving noisemaker (such as the siren on a speeding ambulance) in the case of the Doppler shift.

crucifi
Probably Lenz means "crucifixes."

crepuscular
relating to twilight, or possibly the animals active at this time

threnody
song of mourning for the dead

Page 557

To Project and to Swerve
a pun on the police motto "To Protect and Serve"

hoovered
inhaled (from Hoover, a brand name of vacuum cleaner)

Endnote 232

benzoylecgonine
the major metabolite of cocaine

ecgonine
an organic chemical found naturally in coca leaves

nystagmus
a rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball

benzoic acid
the simplest of the aromatic carboxylic acids

Crosbulation
if cocaine is called "Bing," Crosbulation refers to snorting cocaine, referring to the last name of Bing Crosby

spider angiomas
a type of benign swelling of the blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider's web

rhinorrhagia
bleeding from the nose

blepharospecticity
a neologism meaning something like "seeing through one's eyelids," perhaps blepharospasticity misspelt, "spasm of the eyelids"

M.A.O.-inhibiting
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, potent antidepressants, with many drug-drug and drug-diet interactions

ballism
another name for hemiballismus

oral labia
the lips of the mouth

Paliacci
a misspelling of Pagliacci (Clowns), an opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919), an Italian composer

priapism
persistent, usually painful erection of the penis, especially as a consequence of disease and not related to sexual arousal

diuresis extremus
Extreme production of urine and, thus, need to urinate. The correct Greek-Latin term should be diuresis extrema, diuresis being a feminine noun.

phobophobia
fear of fear

sociosis
a neurosis that has to do with one's ability to deal with society

acne rosea
also known as rosacea

rhinophyma
a red nose caused by amassing of granulomas there

synergism
the property of things working together

confabulation
formation of false memories

garrulousness
propensity to ramble

phasece
neologism; presumably a back-formation to a plural noun from the adjective 'phasic,' which in medical parlance means "Of the activity of excitable cells or tissues: discontinuous; irregular; not tonic" (OED). "Pulmonary phasece" would be heart palpitations.

lingual tendinitis
this would mean inflammation of the tendon of the tongue, but the tongue and mouth lack tendons

Page 557 (cont'd)

sangfroid
coolness of the blood (from French)

fob
an ornament attached to a pocket watch by a chain

chamois
Pronounced "shammy," this is a cloth or piece of leather used to shine a surface.

Track and Flange
not a real magazine

flange
a protruding rim, edge, rib, or collar, as on a wheel or a pipe shaft, used to strengthen an object, hold it in place, or attach it to another object

ergo
Latin: therefore

energois de vivre
Something like "life energy" or "life force;" although energois isn't a real French word, it might be pronounced like joie as in joie de vivre.

Page 558

Estuarial crocodile
the estuarine (saltwater) crocodile

Bonwit's
a reference to the now-defunct upscale department store Bonwit Teller

A.D.A.
American Dental Association

akido
Lenz means aikido.

valise
a small piece of luggage

recurving
i.e., recurring

t'ai-chi
alternate spelling of Taiji

Page 559

mescal
an alcoholic beverage distilled from a cactus

diphthongs
occurrences of two adjacent vowel sounds in a word, e.g, poor, sour, coin

cableyarrow
Caballero (Spanish for "gentleman") is what he means.

in vitro
Latin for "in glass," this term is used to refer to experiments that happen in test tubes. Lenz means in vivo, i.e., in utero (or maybe not -- he might be claiming he was a product of artificial insemination, and that he actually remembers things from before he was implanted, who knows?).

Hal Counts His Breaths

Page 560

photosynthesizing
turning light into energy, as plants do

Baobab tree
a tree native to Africa and India

pride
family of lions

Lenz and Green, cont.

Page 560

septum
the cartilage separating the nostrils

reguiles
neologism, possible portmanteau of regales (and simultaneously beguiles)

Shrangi-la
Lenz means Shangri-La, the utopia of the novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton (1900-1954), a British author.

kamasupra
a witty malaprop, as in Latin supra means above or on top of, Lenz is referring to the Kama Sutra.

Page 561

Fall River
a city in Massachusetts about 50 miles south of Boston

poofta
i.e., a poofter, a vulgar term for a male homosexual

intrepid
fearless

fauna
wildlife

Shawshine River
also known as the Shawsheen

ravacious
neologism, this would seem to be a cross between "ravenous" and "rapacious."

Page 562

scat-piles
piles of feces

feti
plural of fetus

yrstruly
yours truly

propitiating
appeasing

diem
Latin: day

Diem is the singular accusative form of dies (day), which makes no grammatical sense here, so I would call it a Lenz malaprop.
top of page


Retrieved from "https://infinitejest.wallacewiki.com/david-foster-wallace/index.php?title=Pages_531-562&oldid=3462"
Personal tools