Thursday 15 November 2012

Pronking.




pronk |prô ng k; prä ng k|verb [ intrans. ](of a springbok or other antelope) leap in the air with an arched back and stiff legstypically as a form of display or when threatened.ORIGIN late 19th cent.from Afrikaansliterally show off,’ from Dutch pronken ‘to strut.’


I was listening to the BBC Today program discussing children being taught to spell in English primary schools. As well as real words, the kids were also expected to be able to spell made-up words which had the presenters rushing over themselves to make up silly words, one of which was "pronk". Being Radio 4, it didn't take long for the tweets and texts to flood in explaining that "to pronk" was to jump up vertically, all four feet leaving the ground at the same time, a la lambs, kittens and antelopes. As I listened, I looked outside to see Jake do an amazing "pronk" almost up to the shoulders of my six foot plus husband. The image and word are now firmly imbedded in my memory for future Scrabble and crossword use. 
I'm afraid Jake is not in the mood to pronk today. To fulfill a promise I made to Karen at TAG, we took him to to be neutered on Tuesday.  It would be unforgivable to let a rescue dog be the reason for any more unwanted dogs on the street. The staff at Pethane were great, but we weren't quite quick enough with the plastic collar so the turquoise antiseptic transferred to his face.  As it's indelible I better start coming up with witty responses to explain why our dog has a blue face.  All suggestions gratefully received. 







22 comments:

  1. Loved reading your "pronk" post, having twho school aged kids, we have our fair share of spellings at this house:)

    Jake is just too cute! for the blue, perhaps he is too keen for a cupcake icing? or crayons?? - again having small kids, my reasonings are kid friendly too!:)
    x Ozlem

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    1. Icing and crayons - good ideas. Not sure how I'd explain the blue on his back half that way.

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  2. Awww, bless him! I suppose that kind of thing happens once in a blue moon......

    Sorry. :-)

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  3. And what a dear little pronker he is .. even with a blue face! Hope he's on the mend...give him a big kiss from me and Poppy xx

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    1. He's recovered quite well - almost jumping again.

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  4. Gecmis olsun to your pup! I wish him a speedy recovery. He looks handsome, even with that blue face!

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  5. Pronken in Dutch also means to show off something or someone. I like the South African version more though!

    Jake is adorable and the blue could just be because he wasn't too happy with just black and white??

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    1. Thanks Idske - it sounds very Dutch doesn't it.

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  6. He's a supporter of the defunct Glasgow Rangers...?

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  7. Perhaps he is the blue nosed dog of happiness? And the blue back halfed dog of happiness...
    Wish hin well for a speedy recovery.

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    1. He's not very happy with us - wonders what he's done to deserve such treatment.

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  8. A fine word and I shall use it in the new book. Jake is just experimenting with his feminine side. It fits in with his Elizabeth the First look.

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    1. I'm afraid Liam can't pronk - 4 legs compulsory!

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  9. In fact, the name they use for that collar is "Elizabethan collar" - at least among U.S. vets. Jake is such a good boy to wear it without raising a fuss. I had to burst out laughing at the blue on his nose - gives him a rakish look.

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    1. It's Movember , we should ink in a dark blue moustache to cover the turquoise one.

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  10. 'Testesing' or 'Letchah' as in 'I wish I could do that.' - 'Give him a biscuit and he might letchah!'

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    1. I'm not going to look this up on the web in case it is what it sounds like .

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  11. Ohhhh...he is so adorable and beyond cute. I hope Jake has a speedy recovery. I remember my dogs wearing those lamp shades...when they got home they would do Yoga movements trying to rip it off.

    New word I learned today...."pronk", great post. I'll tell you when I go to England I learn so many new English words, even though I was born in North America we still use different English words. My poor husband half of the time doesn't understand...in England.

    Have a great day....XX

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    1. I don't think you'll hear it much in every day conversation - except from me now that I've discovered it.

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