Frisky or what ?

Fastidiously Bloganonymous Son (BS) emerged from deep cover last week to visit briefly. He is deeply publicity-shy, and travels wispily in a light haze of cigarette smoke to conceal his presence.

He took some persuading to sit outside in the late afternoon sun. I think he fears being identified by David Attenborough researching for a programme on hidden species. Or maybe it's just that he worries that he will be spotted by one of the three pedestrians who daily crowd our lane.

Anyway, there we were, sitting, chatting, pre-basking, when I mentioned that I always feel frisky when it's shorts weather.

"I don't think you do," he said.

"What don't I do ?" I asked.

"Feel frisky."

"But I do feel frisky when it's warm"

"No you don't. It means libidinous, you know."

Like me, the BS always sounds as if he has swallowed a dictionary, and it’s hard for him to see a word and not remember it. But I was lexicographically indignant.

I insisted that this was NOT the meaning of "frisky", regardless of whether he had modern usage on his side, and I did not.

I was giving no ground, and we locked horns, which is quite common behaviour among genetic logophiles. BS stalked off in dudgeon of average height to locate the dictionary.

He was very surprised to find the dictionary in error, as it always is, of course, when it does not support whatever lexicographical prejudice you are willing it to confirm.

And there it was, reclaimed for lambs everywhere (and for elderly wearers of strikingly striped shorts). Frisky: playful and full of energy. Hah !

Wait ! I feel another frisk coming on.