Comments: SPIFFLICATE.

I initially read it as "splifficate". That would be a useful word, to roll something up to smoke it.

Posted by Jim at January 20, 2006 05:05 PM

Can one spiflicate something into smithereens?
Can one intransitively spiflicate?

Posted by dearieme at January 23, 2006 12:00 AM

In my family, spifflicate was a jokey synonym for tickling -- "I'll spifflicate you".

Posted by Paul at January 23, 2006 02:00 PM

The word sounds very Mark Twain-ish.

Posted by John Emerson at January 23, 2006 02:27 PM

I was sure that Wodehouse had used the word differently, to mean drunken - "he was spifflicated" - but I can't remember where. But that's how I'd have defined it, before your entry.

Posted by Kate M. at January 23, 2006 03:00 PM

Yes, the past participle can be used as a synonym for 'drunk' (cf. smashed).

Posted by language hat at January 23, 2006 03:02 PM

Oh, so that's what my movers did to me past Monday...and is it a coincidence that the word is so close to spit?

Posted by Tatyana at January 23, 2006 05:29 PM

the Splifficator is also a cocktail made from rye whiskey and soda water, dating back to 1865. happens to be one of my favorites.

Posted by mark at January 23, 2006 08:00 PM

along with piffle

Posted by stercus at January 23, 2006 10:32 PM

Yes, for our family it also meant a playful but very firm and extensive tickling.

What you would do to small child by holding them down and tickling them till they scream with giggles....but if you do it for a second too long the giggles turn to tears.

mainly used in threat:

"Watch out or I will spiflicate you"

cheers

eib

Posted by Ed Bremner at February 12, 2006 04:50 AM