From Douglas Adams and John Lloyds meaning of liff: Corriearklet (n.) The moment at which two people, approaching from opposite ends of a long passageway, recognize each other and immediately pretend they havent. this is to avoid the ghastly embarrassment of having to continue recognizing each other the whole length of the corridor. Corriecravie (n.) To avert the horrors of corrievorrie (q.v.) corriecravie is usually employed. This is the cowardly but highly skilled process by which both protagonists continue to approach while keeping up the pretence that they havent noticed each other - by staring furiously at their feet, grimacing into a notebook, or studying the walls closely as if in a mood of deep irritation. corriedoo’ (n.), the crucial moment of false recognition. They now look up with a glassy smile, as if having spotted each other for the first time, (and are particularly delighted to have done so) shouting out “Haaaaaallllloooo!” as id to say good grief!!you!!here!! of all people! well i never. Coo. Stab me vitals, etc. Corriemoillie (n.) The dreadful sinking sensation in a long passageway encounter when both protagonists immediately realize they have plumped for the corriedoo (q.v.) much too early as they are still a good thirty yards apart. They were embarrassed by the pretense of corriecravie (q.v.) and decided to make use of the corriedoo because they felt silly. This was a mistake as corrievorrie (q.v.) will make them seem far sillier. CORRIEVORRIE (n.) Corridor etiquette demands that one a corriedoo (q.v.) has been declared, corrievorrie must be employed. Both protagonists must now embellish their approach with an embarrassing combination of waving, grinning, making idiot faces, doing pirate impressions, and waggling the head from side to side while holding the other persons eyes as the smile drips off their face, until with great relief, they pass each other. CORRIEMUCHLOCH (n.) Word describing the kind of person who can make a complete mess of a simple job like walking down a corridor.
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 16:10:11 +0000