“There should be more mongers”, I remarked to Jason as he gently pressed his foot on the juice pedal of his large white shed vehicle. We were going to the cinema to see Borat, the movie. I think the actual title is more like:
“Borat - Cultural Learnings of Amercia for make benefit glorious republic Khazakstahn.”
...and this looked pretty funny on the BBFC classification at the start. Perhaps one of the better reasons for giving a film a long and stupid title.
“Yes, you're right, said Jason”, fiddling as he spoke with his well-thumbed iPOD.
I felt I should press my point a little:
“I mean, there are fishmongers... and ironmongers....”
Jason searched his organic database for extra mongers, but came up with none. Instead he raised the point that monger (meaning “seller”) could be applied to timber yards. He actually said:
“Woodmongers”
I'd love it if there were woodmongers. I, myself am a webmonger, as is he. Liz is a kind of knowledgemonger, and Tim is a designmonger. All worthy in their own right.
The film was great, by the way. Biting, stupid, achingly funny at times. Particularly one time. Never far from being truly cringeworthy. Yet, at the same time, the messages, such as they were, were delivered successfully.
I am undecided as to whether sexmonger is better than prostitute, but that is largely academic.
But then, this morning, having had a similar chat with Jo, she comes up with “costermonger”.
Bang on - costermongers are old time barrow boys, selling fruit and veg and flowers on street corners. So, there's another monger.
Any more mongers?
I seem to remember suggesting Cakemonger and Piemonger, but what about Cheesemonger, Musicmonger, Sweetmonger or Bramonger.
Posted by: Jason | November 11, 2006 at 05:19 PM
An interesting bastardisation of the 'monger' suffix happens here in the deep south (County Durham) The kids in my school describe those differently abled from themselves as 'mongers'... such is the evolution of language - when to fight for what you believe to be right and true and good - and when to go with the flow?
Posted by: Jac | November 11, 2006 at 05:47 PM
I want to be a 'monger' but can't think of one???????
See that Andy? NO spelling mistakes.
Posted by: christine | November 13, 2006 at 03:11 PM
Oh dear - I wish I hadn't posted that.
Posted by: christine | November 13, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Christine - you can be a warmonger.
Posted by: AndyC | November 13, 2006 at 05:28 PM
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: christine | November 13, 2006 at 11:50 PM