Welcome to the 2023 Submissions Page. Words are listed in chronological order, the most recent at the top. Anyone can enter, using the Submit Words link.
To qualify for publication and our annual Top 10 list, a one-letter change to a word that you can find in a dictionary has to be cleverly redefined i.e. by virtue of being amusing, alliterative, uplifting or a definition that displays imaginative wit. There is also a category for words that aren’t strictly compliant with the one-letter change but meet the rest of the criteria. Some of the words that we get are more contrived than clever and don’t get published.
New for 2023 is a monthly “Top 10”. Anyone is welcome to nominate their favourite words in a month, up to 10 maximum. Votes will be collated and the Top 10 will be announced at the end of the first week of the following month.
For comments, brickbats, queries and suggestions, Contact Us
New Word Original Word Definition - Clever is Better ! Contributor
Wupbraid Upbraid Old-time Cowboy term meaning "to scold vehemently". Rod Noles
Smelfie Selfie When you check your pits for BO. Mark Fischer
Condominimum Condominium A prophylactic for midgets Katherine Hayes
Do Point Dew Point The time in a woman’s life when she has to run to the hairdresser Katherine Hayes
Xerophobia Xenophobia Fear of photocopying machines Katherine Hayes
Prophet Margin Profit Margin A group of 2 to 12 disciples Katherine Hayes
Hispanic Hispanic A man’s inability to deal with stress; Katherine Hayes
Masterbate Masturbate To jump around at Augusta National Golf Course while playing with balls Katherine Hayes
Cringenuity Cringe + ingenuity Noun: an aptitude for embarrassing oneself in an innovative or clever manner Amanda Emily Coutts
Tedieval Medieval YouTube progam with speeches about the Middle Ages Rod Noles
Adheares Adheres Plastic surgery to add a third ear to improve one's hearing. Rod Noles
Vermine Vermin Confession to your child's teacher your kid was the first to have lice Rod Noles
Windigo Indigo To follow the breeze Rod Noles
Windibago Windigo To follow the breeze in a caravan Doug Langmead
Fatitude Latitude Insouciance regard beiing 20 pounds overweight Rod Noles
Arugelach Rugelach A pastry made with leafy plants instead of cream cheese. Wayne Price
Trirade Tirade The electrifying consequences of adding a third rail to a reitirade Doug Langmead
Hagacious Sagacious Although intelligent, sadly slovenly and unkempt. Carole Marantz
Arbane Arcane Mysterious annoyance Carole Marantz
Luftwaiffe Luftwaffe 1] An orphan airforce
2] Gun-toting, bomb-laden, flying layered biscuits stuffed with paratroopersDoug Langmead & Gillian Winter
Simpolistic Simplistic Political poll which ask two questions. Are you planning to vote? Will you vote for our candidate? Rod Noles
Jimpair Impair Twin brothers both having the name James Rod Noles
Hempirical Empirical Relying on new experience without regard for anything near the truth after smoking weed Rod Noles
Meritocrazy Meritocracy Organisation where people are promoted based on the basis of how crazy they act. Rod Noles
Badjudication Adjudication A formal pronouncement that is both immoral and unethical. Carole Marantz
Praisley Paisley Compliment with swirly and colorful words Rod Noles
Punrequited Unrequited Rejection by WPMI, sadly (Must try harder - Ed.) Carole Marantz
Moblige Oblige "Wise Guys" insist that members must oblige all requests!! Carole Marantz
Pepitome Epitome Embodiment of intense energy and well being Carole Marantz
Synorgy Synergy Intimate collaboration resulting in pleasure greater than the sum of its tarts Gary Albrecht
Catermeringue Catermaran Renovated sailboat , with commercial kitchen, specializing in light, airy desserts Tom Madden
Rectumfy Rectify Deciding to consume probiotics Tom Madden
Rectumfry Rectumfy Underdone chitlins. Tom Madden
Stayl Stay A worn-out welcome Doug Langmead
Protangonist Protagonist/Antagonist A person you both revere and hate equally. Shannon
Oucher Ocher Word you repeat three times when faced with surprising pain. Orange you glad to learn this word. Rod Noles
Sue Generis Sui Generis Unique lawsuit Rod Noles
Parvenut Parvenu New political party with exteme views, and issues Rod Noles
Counture Couture Intern whose only job is to count number of models on the fashion runway Rod Noles
Obfuse Obtuse Inappropriate explosive remark Rod Noles
Themu Theme A Continuity Chicken that has grown with experience and now has oversight Doug Langmead
Henchant Penchant Effect of handsome rooster who parades through barnyard surrounded by clucking gal chIckens. Carole Marantz
Himmutable Immutable Despite the efforts of the women in his life, guy unwilling or likely to change his difficult ways. Carole Marantz
Mansuedue Mansuetude When the curmudgeon of the neighborhood sues the cool dude next street over Rod Noles
Maide-Memoire Aide-Memoire House keeper who also helps one remember things. Rod Noles
Estamintet Estaminet French Bistro where everything on menu is served with mints. Rod Noles
Chef Clef Chef who places G above middle C in alphabet soup Rod Noles
Kiter Kilter Out of kilter and feeling soar Doug Langmead
Bisquit Biscuit When you quit your job during a breakfast meeting. Rod Noles
Prickery Trickery When a friend plays a mean-spirited prank resulting in an argument with your wife Rod Noles
Hercurial Mercurial Gal's frequent changing moods. Carole Marantz
Charlatun Charlatan A heavy load of "charlotte russe". Carole Marantz
Afflick Afflict Kiss ass Rod Noles
Fausting Fasting A deal with the devil whereby you can have anything you desire but nothing to eat. Doug Langmead
Flippery Frippery When you smile and give someone the middle finger at the same time Rod Noles
Misconduck Misconduct Mallard Duck with poor social skills Rod Noles
Funket Junket Joy and delight at being rewarded a free trip anywhere. Carole Marantz
Sintrinsic Intrinsic One"s essential evil being. Carole Marantz
Ahaole Haole A Hawaiian word for an ill-mannered tourist from the mainland. Wayne Price
Cleverage Leverage To skillfully prevent corporate buzzwords from infiltrating marketing copy: "You really cleveraged that ROI white paper" Brett Chalmers
Loquatious Loquacious A person who endlessly talks about exotic fruit. Wendy Gittleson
Babyrinth Labyrinth The indecipherable mind of a newborn. Wendy Gittleson
Incandyscent Incandescent Sweet-smelling lightbulbs. Wendy Gittleson
Misconduck Misconduct Mallard Duck with poor social skills Rod Noles
Origumi Origami The art of making decorative shapes and objects by folding flypaper Wayne Price