Words (words, words)

So, I’m thinking about minoring in linguistics.  More about that later, maybe.  I like words and languages and things and I like to look at the Oxford English Dictionary.  It’s just so sexy and extensive and thorough.

Today, I’m discussing muggles.  No doubt, the first thing anyone is going to think about nowadays (unless you live under the proverbial rock), is JK Rowling, wizards, and Harry Potter.  And, that indeed is the 4th definition of muggle in the OED.

Muggle, n.4- In the fiction of J. K. Rowling: a person who possesses no magical powers. Hence in allusive and extended uses: a person who lacks a particular skill or skills, or who is regarded as inferior in some way.

The real world examples for this definition are brilliant.  For example:

1999 Computer Weekly (Nexis) 2 Sept. 2 Our new senior DBA starts on Monday. She’s a muggle. No IT background, understanding or aptitude at all.

and:

2000 News Tribune (Nexis) 17 July C1 Thus fielding a team of muggles in a league of wizards, the Storm opened the season with four losses.

Now, the first 2 definitions are basically obsolete.  But, in case you were wondering they are “A tail resembling that of a fish,” and “a young woman; (spec.) a sweetheart.”

Harry Pothead and the Philosopher's Stoner

Lastly, a not so obsolete usage:

Muggle, n.3- In sing. and (usu.) pl.: marijuana. Also: a marijuana cigarette; a joint.

From TIME, “Thinner, shorter than standard cigarettes, “muggles” are made from the small delicate leaves of the female marijuana plant.”  And, please do note that muggle-head is a perfectly legitimate slang phrase that the OED recognizes.

So… with that I leave you with this one sentence.  His muggle-head of a muggle has a muggle growing out of her ass, muggle!  Get it all?

Wait.  Muggle, muggle, muggle.  That’s starting to sound really weird in my head.  (Also, I am actually going to hit publish before it becomes tomorrow.)

Tags: definitions, muggle, words