Tumblewords

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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

G for ABC Wednesday

ABC WEDNESDAY ROUND 7: G is for ......


Grosgrain

I've used it as a catchall word for many types of grained ribbon so you can imagine my consternation when I was playing online Scrabble with a super smart granddaughter and maintaining a gargantuan loss when I saw the perfect play.

Grosgrain would combine with the g of a vertical word to horizontally cover two triple word squares plus clearing my tray. A gigantic score! But, the program rejected grosgrain as a word. I Googled it. There it was in all its splendor. I tried unsuccessfully to play it three or four times before I stamped my foot and used a lower scoring word.

I'll never forget being bested by a distant programmer who didn't know grosgrain or maybe she was fully cognizant and was just playing games with my head. Even so, I lost another round which is not unusual when I play against that grandgirl.

Do you recognize grosgrain?

G was formed in Escape Motions.
♥     ♥     ♥

39 comments:

Christine said...

Love the image accompanying this and the funny story. Computers do not always know best! :-) Incidentally, I tried 2 fibonacci since I last posted to your site: love that technique! I'll post my G tomorrow.

Rune Eide said...

I do now, after a bit of googling :-)
But I won't tell and spoil the fun.

Vinay Leo R. said...

oh that image alongside is one of a kind :D

and I didn't know of grossgrain till now either.. thanks for sharing Tumblewords! :)

Sylvia K said...

Fun image and I did know of Grosgrain! Great post for the G Day -- even if it was a frustrating game! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Sylvia

LisaF said...

Well, obviously the game developer is not up on his dressmaking or crafting materials. Grosgrain is a staple in all the fine ribbon circles in Craftland.

Anna said...

A new to me word but one that I will remember now. There is always something that thwarts you when you are playing Scrabble :)

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

It should be in that Scrabble dictionary! That would've made me nuts! Yes, I know the term grosgrain in reference to ribbons.
That seems so unfair...
Clever image!!

EG CameraGirl said...

Ha! Sounds like you are a GRACEFUL loser...even though you may have stamped your feet. ;)

Cezar and Léia said...

Very interesting G post!
Hugs
Léia

Gigi Ann said...

I checked my Scrabble players Dictionary, and it was not in there. However, I went to my little Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and it WAS in it. It is used as a noun and means: a strong close-woven corded fabric usu. of silk or rayon and often with cotton filler.

So, again I learned a new word this week. Great G word.

Kay L. Davies said...

Of course I've heard of grosgrain ribbon. Don't forget, computers are made by people and many, if not most, of them are men. LOL

Carver said...

I recognize grosgrain but I would have spelled it grossgrain. However, after googling I see you are indeed correct and it's grosgrain after all. I remember getting grosgrain ribbons when I was a girl. Great take on the theme.

Naquillity said...

sounds like your granddaughter is a hard one to beat at Scrabble, grin. grosgrain would be a good word to use too. alas, she wasn't going to allow you to win. hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

I sure do! You were right, and the computer was wrong.

This made me laugh because one of my friends plays online and has this happen a lot. She gets so mad!

anthonynorth said...

Never heard of it before. I must be as stupid as that programmer ;-)

Gayle said...

Anyone who's smarter than a computer is a genius in my eyes. Well done.

Leslie: said...

lol - Of course! I know that word and I know what you mean about whoever makes up these word games are not always right. Boo! lol

Willa said...

Very informative and helpful G!

photowannabe said...

Yes, I'm familiar with it, but its not used much any more, probably because people don't really use ribbons for anything. its a shame.
Sorry you lost your game but if its to the grandchild its not so bad.

Kim, USA said...

I learn another word for today. Grosgrain a heavy cloth,^_^ Happy Wednesday!
ABC Wednesday

Sam Liu said...

Well, I have never become across this word before and I now I know something knew. Grosgrain - I like it :)

Roger Owen Green said...

how GREATLY annoying! as a SCRABBLE player, i would have pouted! grrr!

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Amy said...

Good story Sue! I just tied a grosgrain ribbon on a gift today and I even knew how to spell it - apparently blogger does too because the spell check let it go!

Hildred said...

Oh yes, I know grosgrain, - a lovely ribbed ribbon - you are brave to play scrabble with super smart grandchildren!

VioletSky said...

Oh yes, grosgrain ribbon.
And I hate it when the online scrabble does not recognize words - and when it recognizes words that seem to have no meaning in any other dictionary!

magiceye said...

your posts are a place for learning...!

Annelie said...

Interresting, never heard of it before!

Annelie E
ABC Wednesday Team

Verns said...

this is interesting.... thanks for sharing ...

I hope you can drop by
My ABC Wednesday here
And HERE TOO

Reader Wil said...

The word grosgrain was unknown to me until 2 minutes ago! I googled it and there it was! Great word for this kind of stuff! Now I shall never forget it and use it when I scrabble. Thanks!

Jama said...

Computers still need the input from humans! lol

Carol said...

Recognized that word right away as I am a sewer. wonder if its in the scrabble word book (everything is in there!). I have an old (1951) Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary that lists grosgrain as a variation of grogram. Anyway, its a great G and I love your image.

Unknown said...

'Grosgrain' is a new word for me, but that doesn't mean anything. I still have so much to learn!
I think I've seen that kind of ribbon at some point in time and did not know what it was called.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on my G-post.
Best wishes,

Anna

For the benefit of others readers:
Anna's G-word

jabblog said...

I definitely agree that is a wholly acceptable word - the word-setters/judges are ill-informed! More power to your elbow :-)

Martha said...

I am unfamiliar with grosgrain and yet I think it a glorious Scrabble turn. I am enhancing my vocabulary with all of this week's G words.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Great G post - and yes, I have definitely heard of grosgrain.

Jingle said...

what a special and fine G word.

Elaine Yim said...

This is the first time I heard of grosgrain.

Beverley Baird said...

Great word (and story) for G!
I've never played online scrabble - but I do love scrabble!

Dimple said...

Indeed, I do know the word! I suppose it was not put in the program's dictionary, and that is the one which must be used...computers are not as flexible as humans :-)