The Oliver English Dictionary

A guide to the more obscure words in the Olivernacular

The first of several instalments

beelabaa
A phrase common during the babbling era, of uncertain origin and significance, but still in occasional use. Also kizzick-kizzick, ducka-ducka, gibby-gibby, obby-bobby

eary
Folded, as of the ears under an improperly donned hat. My ears are a little eary.

huggy
1. to embrace; 2. a means of transportation involving being carried. Let's huggy to the park. From early Oliverese huck, later hugga.

lellow
The colour of a banana.

loud
Said of the ears after a great noise is heard. My ears are too loud.

moderner
A device for listening to one room while in another.

playplen
An enclosure in which an infant plays.

shutta [rhymes with 'foot-a']
Verb implying obligation. We shutta go to the den.

shwee
Verb of suggestion with unsubtle hints of expectation. Shwee go to the store?

soobuck
Archaic: A vehicle to carry children to a place of education.

stop stein
A notice found alongside roads, ordering vehicles to halt at that point.

suggle
Obsolete word for a sleepy embrace.

whistle-cloff
An auditory device found on locomotives. Perhaps from a reference to an obstructed one in Thomas and Friends.

yo prem-prem
Interjection indicating that all is well. Often said for no apparent reason.

In the holiday spirit

Oliver: (adopting a lower voice than usual) Ho ho ho! Christmas tree, everybody!

At the pool

On seeing a four-month old baby in a floating ring, Oliver turns to me and says in a low confessional tone, 'I wanna go in a boat too'.

Oliver and I notice a woman swimming laps in the fast lane.

Oliver: Daddy, what's she wearing?
Me: Well, she's wearing goggles to keep the water out of her eyes so she can see underwater and a cap to keep her hair in place.
Oliver: (somewhat impatiently) What's she wearing on her nipples?
Me: Umm ... a bathing suit, I guess.

New word

Oliver likes to call boxer shorts 'boxicles'. I think I prefer that.

He says so much these days that is what Mimi calls 'bloggable' that it's becoming difficult to keep up.



'I'm enjoying unseasonably warm December weather with bear!'

Story time

Oliver reads Dick Bruna's Miffy (the first in the series, describing her birth to Mr and Mrs Bunny) aloud, from memory:

'There's Miffy's daddy ... he cares for her ... and a cauliflower ... Miffy, I need you to not play with babies. Theee end.'