myrmidon (n) 1 : cap : a member of a legendary Thessalian people who accompnied their king Achilles in the Trojan War. 2: a loyal follower; esp. : a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously.
"A gentleman in a mackintosh will be there pretending to botanize in the iron railings. One of my myrmidons." (p. 123)
megrim (n) 1: (a) a migraine; (b) vertigo, dizziness. 2 (a) fancy, whim; (b) pl : low spirits.
"It has helped to establish evidence which I needed, said Alleyn firmly. I cannot see that anything else is of consequence. I am unable to feel any sympathy with the incalculable megrims of the layman." (p.202)
Words are from A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh. Definitions are from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.
Those are both great words. I love the history embedded in myrmidon -- completely new to me.
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These are new to me, thanks! for sharing.
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Both of those words are mouthsful. I hope he meant fancy, whim or low spirits for megrim. I would hate to think he had no sympathy for a migraine or dizziness.
ReplyDeleteInteresting words, especially the second. Thanks for sharing!
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