HUMOUR
The ‘Harlot’ Has Gone In The Ground
Apologies to all hyacinths
Harlot is very old-world. The word is so archaic that it had not been included in any of the English pocket dictionaries I compiled and edited for intermediate pupils and high school students, in my other life.
But this word, harlot, which I only come across in historical novels was what convulsed my funny bones a day ago.
The smell of a ‘harlot’
“What on earth is that smell?” my husband exclaimed, eyes wide in bewilderment, as he stepped in the kitchen coming from the next room.
“What smell?” I asked, secretly amused, knowing what he was on about.
I’ve been to the laundry room the previous night, right before bedtime. That overpowering smell actually stunned me. But I kept it to myself. It was caused by my omission, and planned to deal with it the next day.
But after drinking my first morning coffee, I got engrossed in another task instead of dealing with my omission.
“It smells like a harlot in there!” my other half blurted out.
It’s the word harlot which triggered me. To laugh out loud. I could not stop laughing after hearing that Victorian word.
