Government On The RAAC

The Word Collector — Part 29

This is the latest in a series about new words and phrases, specimens collected during expeditions into the deepest, darkest literary and media wilderness, and displayed for perusal, purview, and pontification. These are new to me, but of course, you may know some or all of them already, in this case,you are welcome to marvel at my ignorance.

RAAC — this is an acronym for re-enforced autoclaved aereated concrete, much in the news in the UK this week, after it was identified in numerous public buildings as a possibly dangerous defect, causing the closure of numerous school buildings just before the new school year began. It has been known about for years but became an urgent issue after some roofs collapsed. It is also found in prisons, hospitals, courts and police stations. It was widely used in the 1960s/70s as a cheaper version of standard reinforced concrete, has more bubbles than an Aero chocolate bar, and is about as strong. The adage “buy cheap, buy twice” comes to mind, and the government is really on the RAAC this week, as ministers queue up to make their excuses. Expect a dead cat any moment, or last resort, a declaration of war, target still to be decided.

Blench — this word turned up in a book Mrs. Pearce is reading, “Tales From Our Cornish Island” and I was interested to see that it can be used in the same way as blanch, meaning to become pale, though also means to make a sudden flinching movement out of fear or pain, such as in anticipation when one forgets a wedding anniversary.

Chademo — the Nissan car company call their electric car charging system “Chademo”, which I was amused to see is Japanese for “How about a cup of tea?”, though you might have to drink your tea quite slowly even if it is a rapid charger. The name is an abbreviation of “CHArge de MOve” (which the organisation translates as “charge for moving”) Given the queues at some charging stations, the word for a five-course sushi meal might have given sufficient time. A catchier name might be “Chai to Go” which would have been equally appropriate.

sommelier — a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants, who specialises in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing. The word was uncovered in “Partisan” by Patrick Worrall which I am currently reading.

Westphalian — also used in “Partisan” by Patrick Worrall, and means relating to or characteristic of the former German province of Westphalia or its inhabitants. Not to be confused with the “Westphalian System”, also known as Westphalian sovereignty, which is a principle in international law that each state has exclusive sovereignty over its territory. The principle developed in Europe after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, based on the state theory of Jean Bodin and the natural law teachings of Hugo Grotius. It underlies the modern international system of sovereign states and is enshrined in the United Nations Charter, which states that: “nothing … shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state.”

Kopek (also spelled Kopeck) — The kopek or kopeck is or was a coin or a currency unit of several countries in Eastern Europe closely associated with the economy of Russia. It is usually the smallest denomination within a currency system; 100 kopeks are worth 1 ruble or 1 hryvnia. Originally, the kopeck was the currency unit of Imperial Russia, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and then the Soviet Union (as the Soviet ruble). As of 2020, it is the currency unit of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The word is used in “Partisan” by Patrick Worrall.

Checkism- a term to describe the situation in the Soviet Union where the secret police strongly controlled all spheres of society. It is also used by critics of the current Kremlin authorities to describe the power enjoyed by law-enforcement agencies in contemporary Russia. The word is used in “Partisan” by Patrick Worrall

Dysphoria — a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction, something often experienced when a Government minister appears on television, or trying to complete my tax return. Dysphoria is the semantic opposite of euphoria. The word is used in an article by Doro Volkova, beautifully written as always, an author whose work is infused with poetry and emotion -

Phragmite reed — this word was discovered on a display board at Caen Hill Locks near Devizes, on the Kennet and Avon Canal, about a protected type of reed they are trying to encourage and protect. The extensive, golden-brown reedbeds that are formed by stands of Common reed are a familiar sight in some wetlands. They provide an important home for many species, including the rare Bittern.

Esox Lucius — the Latin name for a Northern Pike was seen on the side of a narrowboat on the same walk. It seemed an interesting boat name so I thought it worth looking up!

Brachycephalic airway obstruction — this phrase turned up when I was discussing with my daughter, who has medical knowledge and occasionally comes out with such phrases, about why pug dogs tend to wheeze and pant along because of the rather cruel way they have been bred for a particular appearance. Bulldogs and some species of cat have a similar issue.

exostosis, also known as a bone spur, is the formation of new bone on the surface of a bone. The word cropped up in discussion about a friend who has a pronounced spur on her elbow, which could be very handy in a mugging situation. Exostoses can sometimes cause chronic pain ranging from mild to debilitatingly severe, depending on the shape, size, and location of the lesion. It is most commonly found in places like the ribs, where small bone growths form, but sometimes larger growths can grow on places like the ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, and hips. Very rarely are they on the skull.

A clome oven — a type of masonry oven. It has a removable door made of clay or a cast-iron door, and was a standard fitting for most kitchen fireplaces in Cornwall and Devon. The oven would be built into the side of the chimney breast, often appearing as a round bulge in the chimney.

The specimen was discovered in the sequel to “We Bought an Island” called “Tales From Our Cornish Island” by Evelyn E Atkins — she and her sister bought a Cornish island, and the books tell of their adventure, doing what many dream of, but few realise, reviewed below-

I hope you enjoyed this collection, and do share any favourites of your own in the comments.

As always, thank you for reading.

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