fescennine

fescennine

See also: Fescennine

English

WOTD – 8 February 2011

Alternative forms

• Fescennine

Etymology

From Latin Fescennīnus, from the name of the ancient Etruscan town of Fescennia, noted for the "Fescennine Verses", a tradition of scurrilous songs performed on special occasions.[1]

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈfɛsənʌɪn/

Adjective

fescennine (comparative more fescennine, superlative most fescennine)

1. Obscene or scurrilous.
   • 1988, James D. Simmonds, Milton Studies, Volume 6, University of Pittsburgh Press, p.168

     As the poet decorously shows his desire to consummate the marriage, he retains the fescennine element without being crude.

   • 1995, John Donne & Gary A. Stringer, The variorum edition of the poetry of John Donne: The Epigrams, Epithalamions, Epitaphs, Inscriptions and Miscellaneous poems, Indiana University Press, pp.380-1

     The conventional complaint over the delay in the proceedings is voiced by the poet in […] [this] series of questions which include fescennine teasing of the bridal couple

   • 2003, Mark Steven Morton, The Lover's Tongue: A Merry Romp Through the Language of Love and Sex, Insomniac Press, p.25

     For instance, I admit that this book is anacreontic, paphian, and sometimes even fescennine […]

Translations

obscene or scurrilous

Finnish: ruokoton (fi) French: fescennin (fr), licencieux (fr), égrillard (fr), salé (fr)

Italian: fescennino, licenzioso (it) Spanish: licencioso, chocarrero, verde (es), de color, picante (es), cachondo

References

1. "Fescennine" - Licentious, obscene, scurrilous, Michael Quinion, World Wide Words, accessed 14/7/2010

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Italian

Adjective

fescennine

1. feminine plural of fescennino