Comments on: Defugalty

By: Susan Blanford

Susan Blanford — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:26:31 +0000

I have used this word most of my life. I learned it from my Dad. I thought it was “his’ word, but I see we are not alone. Great word!!! I love this word.

By: Ann Petersen

Ann Petersen — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:42:17 +0000

I am so relieved to know I’m not losing my mind. I’m 65 and grew up in Utah using this word with wild abandon. I was so surprised a few years ago to have a co-worker tell me it wasn’t a word. I called my sister and cousin and they both knew exactly what it meant. I will resume using it and keep this site as proof I’m not alone. Thanks

By: Ann Petersen

Ann Petersen — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:32:11 +0000

I am so relieved to know I’m not losing my mind. I grew up in Utah using this word with wild abandon and was so surprised a few years ago to have a co-worker tell me it wasn’t a word. I called my sister and cousin and they both knew exactly what it meant. I will resume using it and keep this site as proof I’m not alone. Thanks

By: Barbara Harlan

Barbara Harlan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:34:08 +0000

My mother (originally from Vale, Oregon, very close to Idaho), used that word and I learned it from her. I used it but had never looked it up until yesterday. A friend called me on it and I looked it up….and was startled that it wasn’t in the dictionary. I called my mother who wondered if maybe SHE made it up. Apparently she did not.

By: Winnie

Winnie — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:28:23 +0000

I used the word defugalty when speaking with my boss and I was asked if it was a real word or an “Idaho” word. I told her it was real so I had to prove it which I did with help of your site. So Thanks, I feel smarter.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:23:04 +0000

There’s a discussion of this word here: http://www.languagehat.com/archives/000630.php

By: Benjamin L bonnett

Benjamin L bonnett — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:10:30 +0000

I have been useing the word defugalty for about 37 years.I was called out on it, This person said “I have a really big brain and I am really smart and that is not a word”. I could not find it in my dictionary. Found it here.