A Question

[jacob_xiii]

Is there such a word as OBSTROCULOUS?

If so, what is its meaning? It sounds a little medieaval to me.

Can't find it in any dictionary, although web searches do show it as being used in text (but I have yet to find a link that actually works).

It's not important, just annoying.

Comments

[fruit_boy]

I thought it was in common usage - but you are right......the on-line dictionaries don't seem to list it :(

I have always understood it to mean something like:
"putting uneccessary barriers in the way of understanding - usually applied to understanding of emotions"

But I know a man who will know!!!!!
*runs away to ask mhw

[jacob_xiii]

Cheers! It's bugging me :o/

[fruit_boy]

Well I have asked the question.

[jacob_xiii]

BTW...are you coming to Darkstrobe tonight? It's the first one, and it's FREE!?

[fruit_boy]

Or another thought.......

You could ask on unusual_words

[jacob_xiii]

Good idea! :D

[strangerover]

Obstropulous or obstreperous

...are worth a google

:)

[jacob_xiii]

Hmm, I think that Obstropulous may have been the word in question. Which means that Obstroculous is an even more vulgarised version of obstreperous :-/

[jacob_xiii]

I think strangerover's suggestion of the word Obstropulous may be the word that I was after (it was actually someone else here in the office), but out of interest, what does OBSTACULOS mean?

[mhw]

I think it's a corruption or mishearing of obstreperous, actually, which comes from the Latin obstrepere (to disturb by noise) from ob- (against) + strepere (to make a noise, rustle, rattle or roar).

There are a scant handful of Google hits for obstroculous, and no dictionary to which I have access lists it.

[jacob_xiii]

Thanks! We had eventually figured out that it was being pronounced wrong, and the word was in fact obstreperous. The Google hits had kind of confused everything.