# Words that only seem to be used in comination with another word(s) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 9, 2000, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326 "2000-10-09T23:33:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/21 "2000-10-10T16:21:37Z")
Kaboodle seems not complete without kit usually. Even Bodkins are odd in most cases. I did hear of a restaurant being called toity, but that seemed as unusual as someone being called dovey without being called lovey. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2000, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/22 "2000-10-10T16:22:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AWB \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Moe \* > > \*\*scrimp. > > > > Does anybody use the word _scrimp_ without following it with _and save_? > > \*\* > > At Red Lobster, I ordered the Steak with Scrimp Scampi. > > :D:D \*\* ::groan:: ---
**Author:** ![Kepi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kepi/32/7251_2.png) [@Kepi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kepi)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2000, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/23 "2000-10-10T17:36:35Z")
Has anyone ever seen, heard about, or described a **dervish** that wasn’t **whirling**? ---
**Author:** ![tradesilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tradesilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tradesilicon)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2000, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/24 "2000-10-10T20:02:32Z")
Since I’ve been scrimping on my posts lately, I was _perfectly_ content to simply browse through the posts of other dopers. Although there are a few I’d like to be _rid_ of, I find most quite interesting. (Save the _disgruntled_ trolls). In GD (which is _strewn_ with serious debates) I have found much intellectual stimulation, and the debates here about Gore and Bush were a _harbinger_ for the debate now going on in the mainstream media. In other _nooks_ around SDMB I have found humor and gossip. Some times you can spot a thread with complaints about _unrequited_ toil by some poster who has put together long and thoughtful OPs with no (or very few) responses. There were threads about religion, including a very interesting thread about Islam, with information about everything from the Koran, to different sects and the role of a _dervish_. I remember one poster screaming about being _gelded_ like a spaniel (actually just bossed around by a woman). I’ve thought about starting a thread all about the growth _retardant_ used on most plant pots, but changed my mind. This thread was a great idea Moe, the first word I thought of was ‘getter’, seems to always follow the word ‘go’. See if you can use it another way, without references to metallurgy. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Lord\_Davidson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc8723/32.png) [@Dark\_Lord\_Davidson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Lord_Davidson)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2000, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/25 "2000-10-10T21:25:22Z")
I once read a book where diplomatic offers were unrequited by another country. _ **Irregardless** _, 99.9% of the time it’s used with the word “love”. 😉 That’s sure to piss SOMEONE off! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/26 "2000-10-10T22:20:28Z")
What do you METE out, except punishment? ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/27 "2000-10-11T02:48:55Z")
Hey, **tradesilicon,** good job. But you forgot something, didn’t you? Here, let me get it for you: **Akimbo.** As in “arms akimbo.” But, that’s mine. What’s yours? ---
**Author:** ![poohpah\_chalupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/28 "2000-10-11T03:06:28Z")
…this is a great thread and I can’t think of a damn thing to add… ☹ …unless I can use “shish” and “kabob”…? …didn’t think so. :(:(☹ ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/29 "2000-10-11T05:46:59Z")
I’ve seen kabobs that weren’t _shish_, but I’ve never seen turpitude that was anything but moral. Deserts are always just, masterminds are nearly always criminal, and jetsam never strays far from flotsam. ---
**Author:** ![BrothaTJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@BrothaTJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrothaTJ)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/30 "2000-10-11T06:52:48Z")
Trade, I noticed you didn’t use my contribution to the thread in your mega-post: “Ulterior.” C’mon people, tell me I’ve stumbled upon one true champion word here. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/31 "2000-10-11T09:25:54Z")
What is “dory” without “hunky”? And what is “spick” without “span”? And what is “mumblety” without “peg”? Not to mention “tiddly” without “wink”? ---
**Author:** ![Teach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@Teach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/32 "2000-10-11T10:40:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrothaTJ \* > \*\*Trade, I noticed you didn’t use my contribution to the thread in your mega-post: “Ulterior.” C’mon people, tell me I’ve stumbled upon one true champion word here. \*\* How about **ulterior aim** or **ulterior purpose**? Admittedly, they’re not much different semantically from the more common collocation, but **motive** doesn’t have exclusive rights. ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/33 "2000-10-11T10:48:52Z")
Whenever I hear “trials and…”, I feel “tribulations” coming on like dry heaves. ---
**Author:** ![Teach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@Teach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/34 "2000-10-11T10:49:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by glee \* > \*\*What do you METE out, except punishment? \*\* You can **mete out awards** or **mete out honors** , but I don’t think you can use **mete** without **out**. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/35 "2000-10-11T12:27:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by panache45 \* > \*\*What is “dory” without “hunky”? > \*\* [A Boat, ro a fish](http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=dory) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/36 "2000-10-11T12:32:37Z")
Sigh…preview, preview, preview… Dory: [A Boat, or a fish](http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=dory) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/37 "2000-10-11T13:15:24Z")
If you are a television marketing exec, you never use **zany** without **madcap**. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/38 "2000-10-11T15:45:59Z")
Wasn’t Legs Akimbo a character in the Dick Tracy comic strip? Anyway, it’s a dandy expression. And ricepad once used it as his handle in an internet chat room. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tradesilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tradesilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tradesilicon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/39 "2000-10-11T17:10:04Z")
stuyguy, I didnnn’t forget **akimbo** , that and a few others just did not fit in for me. It is very specific to arms or legs being bent like a bow, legs akimbo, arms akimbo or limbs akimbo is the only usage I found. Really meant to be arms akimbo and nothing else. BrothaTJ, I did not notice **ulterior** , but now that you mention it, how about ‘ulterior decorator’? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2000, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326/40 "2000-10-11T23:20:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by poohpah chalupa \* > \*\*…this is a great thread and I can’t think of a damn thing to add… > ☹ > \*\* Me either, and it’s my thread! 🙂 I’m thinking but my mind is all akimbo. Maybe? maybe? you think? can you see it? Nah. I actually did have a whole bunch when I thought of it. I just didn’t have a computer handy. Wait - “handy”, which rhymes with “dandy”, which often (but admittedly not even close to always) follows “fine and…”. I have to better prepare for my threads in the future. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-only-seem-to-be-used-in-comination-with-another-word-s/36326.md?page=3)