=SDC= Q37: Christmas Competition
Jerry Friedman
.)
Supply an ordered list of some odd number of English words. Each odd-
numberth word (the first, third, fifth, and so on) must follow the
following rules:
* Its last three letters must coincide with the first three letters
of the next word (if there is a next word), in the same order.
* The previous word (if any) must have at least six letters, and all
but the first three must form (in order) a string of letters
coinciding with an initial substring of the current word.
Coincidence of letters is without regard to diacritics; ignore
apostrophes, hyphens, and periods (full stops). The longest chain
within 120 hours wins.
Example: fill illness ness essayin' ayin yin-yang yang.
--
Jerry Friedman, T. O. Panelist
James Hogg
> Example: fill illness ness essayin' ayin yin-yang yang.
Is it just a coincidence that all the odd-numbered words here have four
letters? Or is that a rule that you forgot to mention?
--
James
LFS
I assume it must be - otherwise I imagine it is far too easy to come up
with very long lists. I've reached over 30 without recourse to a
dictionary. One would eventually run out of words beginning with ble- or
ing-, I suppose.
--
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)
James Hogg
I see nothing in the instructions to disqualify this chain:
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--
James
James Hogg
> LFS wrote:
>> On 22/08/2011 07:08, James Hogg wrote:
>>> Jerry Friedman wrote:
>>>
>>>> Example: fill illness ness essayin' ayin yin-yang yang.
>>> Is it just a coincidence that all the odd-numbered words here have
>>> four letters? Or is that a rule that you forgot to mention?
>>>
>> I assume it must be - otherwise I imagine it is far too easy to come
>> up with very long lists. I've reached over 30 without recourse to a
>> dictionary. One would eventually run out of words beginning with ble-
>> or ing-, I suppose.
>
> I see nothing in the instructions to disqualify this chain:
<snip>
Actually, I DID see something in the instructions, forcing me to revise
my entry thus:
shot
--
James
Vinny Burgoo
(What's the difference?)
OK, clarified rules. Certainly not amended rules. Oh no. The Panel
doesn't make mistakes. Clarified rules.
===
Supply an ordered list of some odd number of unique English words. Each
odd-numberth word (the first, third, fifth, and so on) must follow the
following rules:
* Its last three letters must coincide with the first three letters of
the next word (if there is a next word), in the same order.
* The previous word (if any) must have at least six letters, and all
but the first three must form (in order) a string of letters coinciding
with an initial substring of the current word.
Coincidence of letters is without regard to diacritics; ignore
apostrophes, hyphens, and periods (full stops). The longest chain
within 48 hours (from now) wins.
No proper nouns. There's no upper limit on the length of odd-numberth
words.
===
--
VB
T. O. Panellist
LFS
bard ardent enter termagant anther herself elfin finery erysipelas
lascar carbon bondage ageing ingot gothic hiccup cupboard ardour
ourselves vessel select ectoderm ermine ineligible bleeder dermatitis
tissue sueable blended dedication ionise isentropic pickerel relevant
antirrhinum number bergamot mother herbalist isthmus musquash ashlar
lardon donkey keyring ingest estaminet nether heritage agelast* aster
terminated tedded dedicatee teetotal tallyman manager germicide
identikit kitten tenderer reredos dossil silver...
I could probably go on indefinitely if I used a dictionary but it's
lunchtime.
*bet you have to look this one up - I'm not one of these
LFS
And I hope the panel will expect each list to be original rather than
added on to someone else's!
Vinny Burgoo
*What a word!
Another slight 'clarification' of the rules: Will contestants kindly
include a tally. This is so we only have to check the longest ones.
Vinny Burgoo
>And I hope the panel will expect each list to be original rather than
>added on to someone else's!
Tricky to adjudicate. Unscrupulous people could just break someone
else's list into chunks and cobble them together in a different order.
A definitive clarification will be issued the next time the full Panel
convenes. For now, assume that it's OK to incorporate chunks of other
people's lists as long as the chunks are no more than ten words long.
LFS
That's rather arbitrary. I hereby warn that if anyone piggybacks on *my*
list I shall be very ungracious about it.
LFS
Mine's 66 so far but you'll need to check anyway, both the total and
that the six-letter rule for even numbered words is not breached - it's
quite easy to do.
While I'm here and I have the dictionary open I'll add a few to mine,
just to muddy the waters a bit:
...vertical calorie riebeckite iterate atelactasis sistrum rumple
plectrum rumpus pustule
That makes 76 and that last one is a challenge to link to. If
piggybacking is allowed, as you have intimated, you will need to check
to see if words have been inserted or added on at the end.
msh210
> > Supply an ordered list of some odd number of unique English words. Each
> > odd-numberth word (the first, third, fifth, and so on) must follow the
> > following rules:
> >
> > * Its last three letters must coincide with the first three letters of
> > the next word (if there is a next word), in the same order.
> >
> > * The previous word (if any) must have at least six letters, and all but
> > the first three must form (in order) a string of letters coinciding with
> > an initial substring of the current word.
> bard ardent enter termagant anther herself elfin finery erysipelas
> lascar carbon bondage ageing ingot gothic hiccup cupboard ardour
> ourselves vessel select ectoderm ermine ineligible bleeder dermatitis
> tissue sueable blended dedication ionise isentropic pickerel relevant
> antirrhinum number bergamot mother herbalist isthmus musquash ashlar
> lardon donkey keyring ingest estaminet nether heritage agelast* aster
> terminated tedded dedicatee teetotal tallyman manager germicide
> identikit kitten tenderer reredos dossil silver...
That doesn't fit the bill. 'Termagant', for example, doesn't satisfy
"all but the first three [letters] must... coincid[e] with an initial
substring of" 'anther'. Likewise for other list entries.
Michael Hamm
TO Panelist
LFS
Ah, that constraint makes a bit more sense. So it has to be 4/5 followed
by 6/7 every time. Or can there be a greater overlap? Does "all but the
first three" exclude the first three? Can't think of an example offhand.
msh210
> >
> > That doesn't fit the bill. 'Termagant', for example, doesn't satisfy
> > "all but the first three [letters] must... coincid[e] with an initial
> > substring of" 'anther'. Likewise for other list entries.
> >
> > Michael Hamm
> > TO Panelist
>
> Ah, that constraint makes a bit more sense. So it has to be 4/5 followed
> by 6/7 every time. Or can there be a greater overlap? Does "all but the
> first three" exclude the first three?
There's no maximum length on words. "All but the first three"
excludes the first three.
Michael Hamm
TO Clarity Assurance Representative
Jeffrey Turner
Hello
James Hogg
I could spend all my 120 hours at this. To make sure that I don't, I'll
post my entry now so that I can get back to doing something useful. I
make it 259 words:
cybersex sexton
tonsil silver
vermin mincer
ceramic mickey
keystone oneself
self-centred redskin
skinful fulcra
cravat vatting
tingly glycol
coleslaw lawmen
men mental
talisman manhood
hoodwink inkhorn
horn ornery
erysipelas lascar
carton tonnes
nestles lessor
sorrow rowlock
locket ketone
one-upmanship hipster
sternum numskull
skullcap caplin
lingcod codpiece
pieces cesspool
spool oolite
item temple
pleasure urethra
thrall allspice
spice icebox
box boxthorn
thorn ornate
atelectasis sisters
tersely elytra
travel velvet
veterinarians answer
werewolf olfaction
actions onslaught
laughter terrapin
rapine inescutcheon
scutcheons onside
idea deacon
contact active
ivermectin tinder
derepressed sedges
gessoes oestriol
triolet lethal
hallow low-down
downcomer merger
gerrymander dermis
misspend endgame
games mesenteric
enteric rictus
tussle sleeve
everyman manful
fulmar marquis
quisling ingest
estimated tedded
dedication ionising
isinglass ass-wipe
wiper pervert
vertical calcine
cinematic tichier
hieroglyphic hiccough
coughing ingrain
rains inspect
pectin tinfoil
foil oilfield
fieldmouse useful
fulfil fillet
letter terrain
rainiest estovers
oversee seeming
mingiest estrange
ranger gerbil
bilobed bedridden
ridden dengue
guerrillas lashing
hinges gesture
tureens ensign
ignominious ousted
tedious ousels
else's sessile
silent entrail
railway wayside
sideshow however
evermore oreads
adsorb orbital
italic lichen
hendiadys dyslexic
lexicographer herring
ringside ideals
alsike ikebana
banana anapest
pestilent entrepôt
repot potash
ashcan cancer
cervices cesspit
spit pitbull
bullshit hither
herpes pester
termite iterate
ratel telling
ling ingrates
rates testes
tessera eraser
serpent entail
ailment entreat
reattach aching
ingle glebes
besides despair
pair airtight
tight-lipped pedals
also-ran rancid
ci-devant anthem
hempen peninsula
insular larches
chestnut nutshell
shellac lacking
kingpin pinking
kingfisher herbal
ballpoint intact
actionable blemish
mishmash ashtray
tray raygun
gunshot shotgun
gunfire ireful
fulcrum rumbled
bled ledger
germicidal dalton
ton
--
James
LFS
It's addictive, isn't it? But I think some of yours fail like mine did,
if I've understood Michael correctly.
Skitt
I see a problem here (the three-letter rule is broken.)
> skinful fulcra
> cravat vatting
> tingly glycol
and here.
> coleslaw lawmen
> men mental
> talisman manhood
> hoodwink inkhorn
and here.
> horn ornery
and here
> erysipelas lascar
> carton tonnes
> nestles lessor
> sorrow rowlock
> locket ketone
again, and I now quit checking.
There are lots errors breaking up the string.
--
Skitt (SF Bay Area)
http://come.to/skitt
James Hogg
Damn! I've spent ages patching broken strings...
--
James
msh210
> > cybersex sexton
> > tonsil silver
> > vermin mincer
> > ceramic mickey
> > keystone oneself
> > self-centred redskin
>
> I see a problem here (the three-letter rule is broken.)
>
> > skinful fulcra
> > cravat vatting
> > tingly glycol
>
> and here.
>
> > coleslaw lawmen
> > men mental
> > talisman manhood
> > hoodwink inkhorn
>
> and here.
>
> > horn ornery
>
> and here
I'm not seeing the problem with these, but maybe I'm missing
something.
Michael Hamm
with his TO hat off
Skitt
Re-read the rules please.
Skitt
> On 8/22/2011 2:39 PM, msh210 wrote:
>> On Aug 22, Skitt abed:
>
>>>> cybersex sexton
>>>> tonsil silver
>>>> vermin mincer
>>>> ceramic mickey
>>>> keystone oneself
>>>> self-centred redskin
>>>
>>> I see a problem here (the three-letter rule is broken.)
>>>
>>>> skinful fulcra
I missed this one before.
>>>> cravat vatting
>>>> tingly glycol
>>>
>>> and here.
>>>
>>>> coleslaw lawmen
>>>> men mental
>>>> talisman manhood
>>>> hoodwink inkhorn
>>>
>>> and here.
>>>
>>>> horn ornery
>>>
>>> and here
>>
>> I'm not seeing the problem with these, but maybe I'm missing
>> something.
>>
>> Michael Hamm
>> with his TO hat off
>
> Re-read the rules please.
Three letters, not four, have to be matched.
msh210
Three between an odd-numberth word and the following word; all but the
first three of an even-numberth word must match the following word.
Unless, again, I'm missing something.
Michael Hamm
still bareheaded
Alan Curry
Skitt <ski...@comcast.net> wrote:
>On 8/22/2011 2:39 PM, msh210 wrote:
>> On Aug 22, Skitt abed:
>
>>>> cybersex sexton
>>>> tonsil silver
>>>> vermin mincer
>>>> ceramic mickey
>>>> keystone oneself
>>>> self-centred redskin
>>>
>>> I see a problem here (the three-letter rule is broken.)
Since there are only 2 rules, and both of them involve counting 3 letters,
this is too vague.
This list follows the rules as written. The rules are written as
requirements on the odd words. The odd word here is "self-centered".
It's the 11th word in the list.
: * Its last three letters must coincide with the first three letters of
: the next word (if there is a next word), in the same order.
Its last 3 letters are "red". The first 3 letters of the next word
("redskin") are also "red". That's a match.
: * The previous word (if any) must have at least six letters, and all
: but the first three must form (in order) a string of letters coinciding
: with an initial substring of the current word.
The previous word is "oneself". "oneself" has at least 6 letters. Taking
all but the first 3 letters of "oneself" gives "self". "self" is indeed
an initial substring of the current word ("self-centered"). It's a
match.
>
>Re-read the rules please.
If this list isn't acceptable, someone needs to re-write the rules
please.
--
Alan Curry
Alan Curry
James Hogg <Jas....@gOUTmail.com> wrote:
>
>I could spend all my 120 hours at this. To make sure that I don't, I'll
>post my entry now so that I can get back to doing something useful. I
>make it 259 words:
>
>cybersex sexton
>tray raygun
>gunshot shotgun
>gunfire ireful
I think you messed up at "shotgun". It's an even word, so it should
start with the "hot". from "gunshot". And it should force the next word
to start with "tgun". Judging by the rest of your list, you understood
the rules the same way I did, and this was just a counting error.
--
Alan Curry
Skitt
I was wrong in objecting to the submitted list. I re-read the rules and
now see that I misunderstood them with regard to the even-numbered words
and the words that follow the even-numbered words.
My bad. Sorry.
James Hogg
AIUI, you have to divide the even-numbered words so that the first three
letters end the previous word and everything else starts the following word.
--
James
James Hogg
Yes, that is a mistake. I hope the panel will accept the existence of
the word "hotgun" (or else "gun-hot"). Failing that, the last ten words
can be deleted, giving me 249.
--
James
Peter Moylan
> While I'm here and I have the dictionary open I'll add a few to mine,
> just to muddy the waters a bit:
>
> ...vertical calorie riebeckite iterate atelactasis sistrum rumple
> plectrum rumpus pustule
>
> That makes 76 and that last one is a challenge to link to.
uleogy.
I'll get me coat.
--
Peter Moylan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. http://www.pmoylan.org
For an e-mail address, see my web page.
James Hogg
<snip>
> I'm not seeing the problem with these, but maybe I'm missing
> something.
Here's my final offer, 595 words, almost all of them listed in the COD:
verbal balsam sambar baring ingot gotcha chap happen penumbra brazen
zenithal halves vessel selfish fishwives vestee tee-total talcum cumshot
hotspur spur purview viewfinder derange angelic lictor torrid riddance
dancer cermet metheglin linenfold enfold oldster stereogram ramshackle
shackles lesion iontophoresis sister termite iterate ratel telling ling
ingrates rates testes tessera eraser serpent entail ailment entreat
reattach aching ingle glebes besides despair pair airtight tight-lipped
pedals also-ran rancid ci-devant anthem hempen peninsula insular larches
chestnut nutshell shellac lacking kingpin pinking kingfisher herbal
ballpoint intact actionable blemish mishmash ashtray tray raygun gunshot
hot-press pressures respect pecten tenant ant anthill hill ill-mannered
mannered redone one-armed medfly flywheel eelgrass grassland andiron
ironic nickel kelpie pieman man-of-war warfare fare arenas nasty styling
linguistic tickle kleptomania niacin cineaste steins insult ultradian
radiant antelope elope operation rations onshore horehound undraped
raped pedlar laryngitis tissue suety etymon monomorphic hiccup cupcakes
kestrel trellis lissom somewhat hatchet chetrum rumbas basic sickle
klepht phthalide halides despatch patch tchagra agraffes fester
termagant antacid acidimetry trysting stingaree reelection lections
onstage tagetes testin' tineoidea dearer reroute uterus russet setback
backlash ashlar laryngoscope operand rand andante antebellum lumber
bergamot motmot motorman manfolk folkweave average rage ageist isthmus
mustier tiered redbreast breastfed fedora orang-utan tandoor doorstop
topsail sailboat oatcake cakewalk alkene enemas mastiff tiffin finagle
aglet let-down downbeat eatable able blewits wits itself elfen fender
derrière erewhile whiles lesbian biangular larval valid lidded dedicator
torrent rent entice icebreaker kerchief chieftains instar tarpaulin
linseed seedbed bedfellow fellow lowbrow browbeat eatery erythroblast
astride rides descry crybaby abysmal small all-round round undone
one-liner nervine vinegar garfish fishermen menace acerbic biceps
epsilon longan gangsta stable blether herald alderman mantra travesty
styles lessee seethe therefor forint interplay lay-off offal falcon
concha chalice licensee see-through throughput putrid riddles lesson
sonata ataman manor normal malvoisie siesta staffer fervent ventricle
clever verbatim timbre breath athwart warthog hogwash washout outwit
withal haloes oestrogen genres restharrow rowens ensnare arenas nasal
salami amigos gospel pelvic victim timbal ballot lotus tussock sockeye
eyebrow brow rowdies diesel seldom dominical calico icon concur curragh
aghast astronaut autarch archer hermit mitten tenpin pinhole olefin
finale alehouse housecoat oatmeal mealtimes message sage ageless lesser
sermon monkey keyhole hole-in-one one-eared eared redcoat coatimundis
discard cardiogram rampage pageboy boyfriend friend endear earwig wiggle
gleichschaltung unground rounder derrick rickshaw hawthorn thornback
ack-ack ackee keeper perturbed bedsit sitcom combos bosun sunlit lithe
themes mesas sashay hay haywain wainscot cotton tonsil silver vermin
mincer ceramic mickey keystone oneself self-centred redskin skinful
fulcra cravat vatting tingly glycol coleslaw lawmen men mental talisman
manhood hoodwink inkhorn horn ornery erysipelas lascar carton tonnes
nestles lessor sorrow rowlock locket ketone one-upmanship hipster
sternum numskull skullcap caplin lingcod codpiece pieces cesspool spool
oolite item temple pleasure urethra thrall allspice spice icebox box
boxthorn thorn ornate atelectasis sisters tersely elytra travel velvet
veterinarians answer werewolf olfaction actions onslaught laughter
terrapin rapine inescutcheon scutcheons onside idea deacon contact
active ivermectin tinder derepressed sedges gessoes oestriol triolet
lethal hallow low-down downcomer merger gerrymander dermis misspend
endgame games mesenteric enteric rictus tussle sleeve everyman manful
fulmar marquis quisling ingest estimated tedded dedication ionising
isinglass ass-wipe wiper pervert vertical calcine cinematic tichier
hieroglyphic hiccough coughing ingrain rains inspect pectin tinfoil foil
oilfield fieldmouse useful fulfil fillet letter terrain rainiest
estovers oversee seeming mingiest estrange ranger gerbil bilobed
bedridden ridden dengue guerrillas lashing hinges gesture tureens ensign
ignominious ousted tedious ousels else's sessile silent entrail railway
wayside sideshow however evermore oreads adsorb orbital italic lichen
hendiadys dyslexic lexicographer herring ringside ideals alsike ikebana
banana anapest pestilent entrepôt repot potash ashcan cancer cervices
cesspit spit pitbull bullshit hither herpes pester tergum gumshoe shoe
hoedown down
--
James
Alan Curry
Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
>(Based on http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Christmas_Competition_2008
>.)
>Supply an ordered list of some odd number of English words. Each odd-
[snip]
Trouble with this sort of question is that English-word-ness is more of a
continuum than a boolean. If I pull from the Scrabble Tournament Word List, I
get to 5000 easily, but some of them aren't extremely English-word-ish.
Here's 999 from a smaller word list. The alternating lowercase and uppercase
is intended to make it easier to verify compliance with the rules, if anyone
is dedicated enough to verify by hand. (I sure didn't generate the list by
hand.)
sun SUNLIT lit LITCHI chimp IMPLODES lodestar TARTAR tarpaulin LINTEL
telescope OPERAS rasp ASPHALT halt ALTARS arson SONNET net NETHER herdsman
MANTES testosterone ONETIME timer MERGES gestures RESOLD oldie DIETERS terser
SERAPH aphid HIDDEN denominator TORQUES questionnaires RESEMBLE emblem LEMMAS
mascot COTTONS tonsures RESPECT pectin TINSEL selectman MANKIND kinder DERIDE
ides DESCENT centered REDREW rewritten TENSING singular LARKING kingpin
PINHEAD headboard ARDENT entertains INSANE anecdotal TALKER keratin TINGING
gingersnap NAPKIN kin KINGLY glycerin RINGER germ ERMINE inertia TIARAS raspy
SPYGLASS glass ASSORT orthography PHYLUM lumberman MANHUNT huntsman MANPOWER
powered REDDEN denser SERMONS monsignor NORMAL mallow LOWLANDS landscaper
PERMED medical CALCINE cinemas MASSES sesames MESDAMES dames MESCAL caliper
PERSON sonatas TASTES testicle CLERIC rickshaw HAWSER sergeant ANTHILLS
hillsides DESPOTS potshot HOTTER terrapin PINCER cerebrum RUMMER meriting
INGRAINS rains INSOLE oleo LEONINE nineteens ENSIGN ignoramus MUSCLE clear
EARACHE ache CHEWER werewolves VESPERS persimmon MONSTER stereotypical CALMED
mediocre CRETINS tins INSTANT tantrum RUMPUS pus PUSHOVER hovered REDHEAD
headband ANDANTES antes TESTABLE tableland ANDANTE antechamber BEREAVE
eavesdropper PERFORM formal MALLET letups UPSIDE ideogram RAMBLE blend
ENDANGERED angered REDSKIN skinflint INTROS rostrum RUMPLE plethora ORATOR
torque QUEASY asylum LUMPED pedicures RESELL elliptical CALMER merinos
NOSTRUM trumpet PETARD ardor DORMOUSE mousetrap RAPPER perturbed BEDTIME
timekeeper PERSIST sister TERMED meddlesome OMEGAS gasohol HOLSTER sternum
NUMBED bed BEDEVIL evil VILLAGER lager GERBIL billow LOWLAND landlubber
BEREAVES eaves VESPER perseveres RESINS instrument ENTOMB ombudsmen MENACE
acetylene ENEMAS masquerades DESIGN ignores RESORT orthodoxy OXYGEN genital
TALLOW low LOWBROW brow ROWBOAT boatmen MENSWEAR swear EARMUFF muffin FINITE
item TEMPER permit MITTEN tensor SORROW rowel WELCOME comet METROS rosin
SINGLE glee LEERED rediscover VERBALLY ballyhoo HOOVES vesicle CLEVER
verbenas NASCENT centigram RAMROD rod RODENT entrap RAPPORT portcullis
LISSOME someway WAYSIDE sidebar BARMAN manic NICETY etymological CALORIFIC
orifice ICEBOUND bounden DENTIN tint INTEND endorser SERVER verbal BALLING
lingerer RERUNS unstop TOPPLE plea LEATHER thermonuclear EARMARKS marksmen
MENTOR tornado ADOBES besom SOMBER beret RETRAIN rainmaker KERCHIEF chiefly
FLYLEAF leafed FEDORA oracular LARVAL valiant ANTHEM hemoglobin BINOCULAR
ocular LARGOS gossamer MERMAN mandolin LINDEN denudes DESCRY cry CRYSTAL
stalwart ARTWORKS workshop HOPPER perusal SALVER verbena ENAMEL melodramas
MASHED hedgehog HOGWASH washbasin SINGING gingham HAMMED medulla LLAMAS mas
MASHER herbal BALSAS sash ASHRAM ram RAMPANT pant ANTHILL hilltop TOPSOIL
soil OILCLOTH clothe THEREIN reinterpret RETINA inamoratas TASSEL seldom
DOMINO inopportune UNEARTH arthropod PODCAST castaway WAYLAY lay LAYOVERS
oversaw SAWDUST dustpan PANHANDLE handlebar BARREN renewal WALNUT nut NUTMEG
megalopolis LISTEN tenpins INSTINCT tinctures RESIDE idea DEARER rerun
RUNABOUT about OUTRUNS runs UNSHAVEN haven VENDOR dormer MERMEN menopausal
SALMON moneybag BAGPIPE pipe IPECAC cactus TUSSLE sleepwear EARLOBE lobed
BEDBUG bugaboo BOOZER zeros ROSINS insomnia NIACIN cinnabar BARROOM roomful
FULFILL fillip LIPREAD readout OUTSELL sellout OUTSMART smartens ENSCONCE
conceit EITHER hereabout OUTLOOK lookout OUTTAKE takeout OUTCAST castoff
OFFSHOOT shootout OUTCRY cryptogram RAMPART partisan SANGUINE guinea NEAREST
restructures RESIST isthmus MUSTANG tang ANGORA oracle CLEWING wingtip TIPPLE
plectra TRASHY shy SHYEST estrogen GENRES respectful FULSOME somehow HOWEVER
everyday DAYTIME timezone ONEROUS roustabout OUTSET settee TEETHE
thermodynamic MICROBE robed BEDSTEAD steadfast ASTUTE utensil SILVER
vernacular LARDER derringer GERMANE mane ANEMIC microfiche CHERUB rubles
LESSOR sorghum HUMBUG bugbear EARSHOT shotguns UNSCREW crew REWIND indictable
BLEMISH mishap HAPPEN pen PENCIL cilantro TROOPER opera ERASED sedan DANCER
cerebra BRAINS insectivores RESENT entombed BEDLAM lambaste STEINS inscribes
BESTIR tires RESEND endeavored REDCAP caprice ICECAP captains INSTEP tepid
PIDGIN ginseng ENGRAVE ravel VELVET veteran RANSOM someday DAYBREAK breakups
UPSTART tart ARTWORK workout OUTLAW lawn AWNING ingot GOTTEN tenon
NONDESCRIPT descriptor TORRID ridden DENTAL talc ALCOVE overpay PAYOFF offer
FERRET returnables LESSEES seesaw SAWMILL millimeter TERRAIN rainbow BOWMAN
manacles LESSEN sensor SORBET betrothal HALYARD yardarm ARMPIT pit PITFALL
fallout OUTPLAY play LAYMAN manifesto STOLEN lentil TILDES desperado ADORES
restores RESTART tartan TANGIBLE giblet LETHAL halo ALOHAS has HASSLING
slingshot HOTSHOT shot HOTHEAD headset SETBACKS backspin PINWHEEL wheelchair
AIRMAN many ANYWHERE whereupon PONCHO choleric RICHER heraldry DRYWALL
walleye EYETOOTH toothpaste STEREO reopen PENKNIFE knifes FESTAL talisman
MANTEL telescopic PICCOLO colorful FULCRUM crumpet PETREL relay LAYOVER
overall ALLOVER overshot HOTHOUSE housetop TOPSIDE sidearm ARMCHAIR chair
AIRSTRIP striped PEDANT antigen GENERA eras RASCAL calk ALKALI alibis BISTRO
trout OUTWIT without OUTBID bidet DETACH achoo HOOPLA plaza AZALEA lea
LEAFIEST fiesta STAINS insoles LESSON songwriter TERMINI minicam CAMPUS
pussycat CATWALK walkout OUTRUN run RUNOFF officeholder DERANGE anger GERUND
underwritten TENANT antihero ERODES desideratum TUMULT ultra TRAINS insofar
FARTHER thermostat TATTOO toolbar BARMAID maidenhair AIRDROPS dropsy PSYCHE
cheaply PLYWOOD woodcut CUTBACK backbit BITTER terabit BITMAP map MAPPER
periwig WIGWAG wag WAGONS onset SETBACK backbitten TENPIN pinkeye EYEBROW
brownout OUTFOX fox FOXTROT trot ROTUND underpay PAYCHECK checkout OUTSTRIP
strip RIPSAW saw SAWHORSE horsefly FLYOVER overrun RUNDOWN downplay LAYOUT
out OUTWEAR wear EARDRUM drum RUMBAS basil SILICON icon CONTROL trollop
LOPPED pedigree REEFING fingertip TIPTOE toe TOEHOLD holdup DUPLEX lexicon
CONSUL sullen LENDER dermis MISCHANCE chancel CELLAR larkspur PURLOINS loins
INSURE urea REAMED media DIAGRAM grammar MARMOT motorcar CARCASS cassava
AVATAR taro AROUND underdog DOGFISH fishnet NETWORK workmanship HIPPOS
postdoc DOCTOR torpor PORTEND tendon DONKEY key KEYNOTE notepaper PERCENT
centrifugal GALENA enamor MORBID bides DESPOT pot POTENCY encyclopedia DIADEM
demigod GODHOOD hoodlum LUMBAR barbed BEDROCK rocketry TRYOUT output PUTSCH
schoolboy BOYHOOD hoodoo DOOHICKEY hickey KEYWORD wordplay LAYMEN mend ENDEAR
earlobes BESTOW towel WELKIN kinsman MANTRAS trashcan CANNON noncom COMBAT
bathmat MATINS insulin LINEAR earwig WIGWAM wampum PUMMEL melodic DICTUM
tumid MIDWAY waysides DESCANT cantilever VERSUS sushi SHIRES resolver VERTEX
text EXTANT antiwar WARLOCK lockout OUTHOUSE housefly FLYOVERS oversee SEETHE
theorem REMOVE overran RANCOR corncob COBALT altar TARMAC macadam DAMPEN
pennon NONWHITE whitecap CAPSTAN standoff OFFEND endeared REDDISH dishpan
PANTHER thereabout OUTPOST postmortem TEMPOS postwar WARDEN denim NIMBUS
bushel HELMET metropolitan TANDEM demon MONARCH archdeacon CONSPIRE spirea
REARED redraw RAWHIDE hideout OUTLAY layoff OFFHAND handcar CARBON bongos
GOSPEL pelican CANCAN candor DORSAL salamis MISPRINT printout OUTSIDE sidecar
CARPEL pellagra GRAYEST yesteryear EARTHY thymus MUSCAT catalepsy PSYCHIC
chichi CHICLE cleanups UPSHOT hot HOTBED bedpan PANDAS dashikis KISMET
methane ANEMIA miasmas MASCARA carat RATTAN tangos GOSSIP siphon HONCHO
choreography PHYSIC sickbed BEDFELLOW fellowship HIPPER pericardia DIATOM
tomcat CATNIP nipper PERTURB turban BANTAM tam TAMPER pertains INSTALL
tallyhos HOSTEL telephotos TOSSUP superhuman MANTRA trash ASHCAN candelabra
BRAILLE illegal
--
Alan Curry
Vinny Burgoo
>In article <b0bbb66f-b308-4a77...@v2g2000vba.googlegroups.com>,
>Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
>>(Based on http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Christmas_Competition_2008
>>.)
>
>>Supply an ordered list of some odd number of English words. Each odd-
>[snip]
>
>Trouble with this sort of question is that English-word-ness is more of a
>continuum than a boolean. If I pull from the Scrabble Tournament Word List, I
>get to 5000 easily, but some of them aren't extremely English-word-ish.
>
>Here's 999 from a smaller word list. The alternating lowercase and uppercase
>is intended to make it easier to verify compliance with the rules, if anyone
>is dedicated enough to verify by hand. (I sure didn't generate the list by
>hand.)
>
>sun SUNLIT lit LITCHI chimp IMPLODES lodestar TARTAR tarpaulin LINTEL
[...]
>tallyhos HOSTEL telephotos TOSSUP superhuman MANTRA trash ASHCAN candelabra
>BRAILLE illegal
Crikey!
The 48-hour deadline for this question ran out at about noon UK time
yesterday. The Panel shall now scratch its head for a while.
Vinny Burgoo
>msh210 wrote:
><snip>
>> I'm not seeing the problem with these, but maybe I'm missing
>> something.
>
>Here's my final offer, 595 words, almost all of them listed in the COD:
>
>verbal balsam sambar baring ingot gotcha chap happen penumbra brazen
>zenithal halves vessel selfish fishwives vestee tee-total talcum cumshot
>hotspur spur purview viewfinder derange angelic lictor torrid riddance
[...]
>banana anapest pestilent entrepôt repot potash ashcan cancer cervices
>cesspit spit pitbull bullshit hither herpes pester tergum gumshoe shoe
>hoedown down
Also crikey!
--
VB
T. O. Crikeyed
James Hogg
Every time I managed to produce a long list, I would print it out to
check it, and I always found mistakes, thus ending up with several
separate lists. Then I would spend hours trying to find sequences of
words to patch the lists together again. This could be an idea for a
future SDC question: the panel provides the first and the last words,
and the contestants try to link them with the shortest possible sequence
of words.
Then again, someone would probably write a computer program to solve that...
--
James
Jerry Friedman
> In alt.usage.english, Alan Curry wrote:
>
>
>
> >Jerry Friedman <je...@totally-official.com> wrote:
> >>(Based onhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Christmas_Competition_2008
> >>.)
>
> >>Supply an ordered list of some odd number of English words. Each odd-
> >[snip]
>
> >Trouble with this sort of question is that English-word-ness is more of a
> >continuum than a boolean. If I pull from the Scrabble Tournament Word List, I
> >get to 5000 easily, but some of them aren't extremely English-word-ish.
>
> >Here's 999 from a smaller word list. The alternating lowercase and uppercase
> >is intended to make it easier to verify compliance with the rules, if anyone
> >is dedicated enough to verify by hand. (I sure didn't generate the list by
> >hand.)
>
> >sun SUNLIT lit LITCHI chimp IMPLODES lodestar TARTAR tarpaulin LINTEL
>
> [...]
>
> >tallyhos HOSTEL telephotos TOSSUP superhuman MANTRA trash ASHCAN candelabra
> >BRAILLE illegal
>
> Crikey!
>
> The 48-hour deadline for this question ran out at about noon UK time
> yesterday. The Panel shall now scratch its head for a while.
Having done so, the Panel awards a Cormo to Alan Curry for the longest
list, and a Katahdin to James for a list that combines remarkable
length with that hand-rubbed patina that's so hard to find these days.
--
Jerry Friedman, T. O. Sheepqueuedispatcher