groundhogese

English

Etymology

From groundhog +‎ -ese.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɡɹaʊndhɒɡˈiːz/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

Noun

groundhogese (uncountable)

1. (humorous) A supposed language in which humans and groundhogs can communicate with each other.
   • 1997 January 29, Christine H. O'Toole, “TUNNEL VISION”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on August 28, 2017‎^[2]:

     Stranded in town, we heard, rather than saw, the Great Prognosticator's annual prediction, delivered in "groundhogese" and ceremoniously translated by members of the Inner Circle. Phil's fans cheered lustily at the promise of an early spring and immediately streamed back down the mile-long hill to town. Many were college students in groundhog hats or T-shirts who carried banners (my favorite: "Free Phil").

   • 2008, Brenda Shelton Strickland, Seasonal Activities: Winter, page 126:

     Since 1887 Punxsutawney Phil, the resident groundhog, has come out of his electrically heated burrow, looked for his shadow, and uttered his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in “groundhogese.”

   • 2014, Roni Adams, Passion in Punxy:

     Ken picked up Phil and looked into his black eyes. "Phil only talks in groundhogese which you don't believe in."

Usage notes

• Associated with Groundhog Day celebrations.