Purdonium

[Grogie]

Just discovered the interesting word today. In Britain it referred to a kind of decorative box where coal was stored for use. ''He had to get some more coal out of the purdonium because the fire was starting to die away.''

[Philip Hudson]

Purdonium could be the name of a radioactive element, but it isn't. It's terse, one-generation etymology is that it was named for a Mr. Purdon, who otherwise seems to be unknown.