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Purdonium

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:29 am
by 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.''

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:17 pm
by 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.