GUBBINS

GUH-binz -- (n.) Odds and ends OR a silly person

Leave it to the Brits to come up with such an all-purpose (innocent) double-entendre. 'Gubbins' is a rare dialectical term for all kinds of things -- literally. Mostly it describes bits and pieces of things that are of little value. At the same time, it also decided to be a synonym for a silly person. Depending on your sensibilities, you might be thinking how awful it is that this word insults odds and ends everywhere OR you might be thinking how this word belittles wonderful silly people everywhere to worthless "odds and ends." But Wordeby's takes a different approach. Odds and ends are exactly what makes silly people so interesting (most times). Odds & Ends and Silliness are one and the same and in a good way. Silly's opposite is 'serious'-- and few take delight in the serious (unless you're of direct descent of Homo Hapless). So really, 'gubbins,' in describing both odds and ends and a silly person, describes things that are delightful and interesting and fun-- and hopefully this April Fool's day has been just that to all you wonderful gubbins out there, the world is more fun with you in it.

~Wordeby's by Chanel Rion

🦋 ART: "April Fools Girl with Shopkeeper" (1948) by Norman Rockwell

🦋 STYLE: Regionalism

🦋 NATIONALITY: American