THE INSIDER
Y d e T h T s A Punlea
by julia m. johnson
A GLIMPSE AT WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND ST. LOUIS AND BEYOND.
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY alumnus and trustee Dr. Richard Chaifetz ▶ (pictured) and his wife, Jill Chaifetz, are adding their last name to more major institutions at the school. They recently pledged $15 million to the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business and the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship. More than a decade ago, the couple made a $12 million lead gift to jump-start construction of SLU's Chaifetz Arena.
I DON’T KNOW IF IT'S MY AGE or because I have to
write a column every week, but sometimes I can’t find the right words. Or worse, I realize I’ve used the same word three times in a paragraph. Sure, I was ‘happy,’ but certainly I can come up with a better way of saying it. So I love it when I run across underused words. A friend sent me a list recently, and I’m sure you see them on your Facebook feed or in magazine articles. Some are so good that we need to start using them now. I’ve always wanted to be a trendsetter. Will you help me? Slugabed (noun) – a lazy person who stays in bed late. We could call this person a loafer or a layabout, but slugabed is so much better. This word perfectly describes me! To be honest, I love my bed. It is the most comfortable place in the house, and if I could conduct all of my business in my PJs from under the covers, I would. Lanspresado (noun) – a person who never has any money or always 'forgets' his wallet. We all have that friend: When the check comes, he checks his pocket and exclaims, “Oh no! I guess I left my wallet on the dresser.” Next thing you know, you are covering the entire bill. Though, with the invention of Apple Pay and Venmo, it is almost impossible to pull off this trick anymore. So start using this word now before it's too late! Snollygoster (noun) – a shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician. I know, I know, I should not bring up politics in this column, but I must say, if someone used this as an insult in a political ad, I would totally consider voting for him, regardless of his party or platform. Philogrobolized (adjective) – hung over but refusing to admit you had a drink. I didn’t even know a word existed for this condition. I thought you were just a liar when you did this, but now I know differently! Oh, how I wish I had heard about this word in my youth. Frobly-mobly (adjective) – indifferently well. How many times a day does someone ask you, “How are you?” and you respond, “Fine”? Not anymore. From now on, you are frobly-mobly. I really think this word could take off around here if we make the effort. I can see T-shirts with the phrase: 'St. Louis is so much more than frobly-mobly.' OK, I need to work on the tagline, but you get it. Fudgel (verb) – to pretend you’re working when you’re not. We’ve all done it. You’ve probably done it today. There are times when you just need a break. You check out Instagram or see what’s new on Huffington Post, but you act as if you are deep in thought or reading an article on an important topic from The New York Times. Twattling (verb) – idle talking, chattering. No one wants to be accused of gossiping even though most of us love to dish a little dirt. Twattling sounds pretty darn harmless, though saying the word gives me the same reaction as saying 'moist.' Try it. Let me know if it works for you. So will you help me reintroduce these words into our vocabulary? I can’t promise you any sort of compensation, but I can assure you some quizzical looks from everyone who hears them. CONTACT PATTY AT PHANNUM@TOWNANDSTYLE.COM.
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MARCH 7, 2018
◀ After more than 30 years with LADUE SCHOOLS, superintendent Donna Jahnke announced
she will retire in June 2019. The
UMSL and Saint Louis University alum joined the district as a teacher, later served as a school principal and was named to her current post in 2013. Congratulations!
k c e h c it ◀ A tip of the hat is due to plastic surgeon Dr. Edmond Cabbabe, recent
recipient of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society's Robert E. Schlueter Leadership Award.
Cabbabe was recognized for his board and committee service to a number of medical associations, including SLMMS, and his support of charitable initiatives like the Caring Program for Children and the Stop Violence Before It Starts campaign.
▲ Local real estate agent Kathy
Rainey Bussmann caught the writing bug after finding an old diary and letters from her grandparents, and the result is a new book, The Uncommon English Teacher and the Forgotten Doughboy. It's the story of two young adults coming of age in the World War I era. Delving into her roots even helped Bussmann discover a genetic solution to her own illness. AVAILABLE AT BOOKSTORE.GCFROG.COM
〈〈〈 THE MAIN EVENTS 〉〉〉 Check out the Radio Arts Foundation's
Kaleidoscope-Next Generation Artist Concert
featuring 10-year-old piano virtuoso Jerry Chang, a student at Forsyth School. The performance takes place at 3 p.m. March 11 at Centene Auditorium in Clayton.
Head over to the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center at 5 p.m. March 14 for Under the
Clock Tower: A 2018 State of Forest Park Community Gathering to hear what's
happening at the park this year. Sample a Forest Park Pilsner from Urban Chestnut and frozen custard from Shake Shack.
Take note—the annual Sing for Siteman concert is happening a little earlier this year! The March 17 event at John Burroughs School raises funds for cancer research and treats guests to inspiring vocal talent, an artist meet-and-greet and refreshments starting at 5 p.m. Student tickets are $25; other seats are $50 and $100.