Gobsmacked

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The dictionary dictators amongst others define the word gobsmacked the following way…

gob·smacked

1 ˈɡäbˌsmakt/
adjective BRITISH informal
adjective: gobsmacked
utterly astonished; astounded.
With reference to being shocked by a blow to the mouth, or to clapping a hand to one’s mouth in astonishment.

Not me, while I have no doubt that is the correct definition, I would amend it to include a second:

2ˈɡäbˌsmak/ ɡäbˌsmakt/
adjective SLOVAK, GERMAN, POLISH, AMERICAN informal, ignorant, stupid, not correct, ill-used
An adjective used to describe the sound of riding or having ridden one’s bicycle over muddy dirt roads or the spattering of vomit.

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Yeah, I know it’s not “technically” correct, but given the already crumbling state of the modern-day English language and the lack of grammar, speling, and proper word usage that this little-read cycling blog contains, I don’t think it’s a big deal and I’m using it. Because in all my years of ridin’ bikes, I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a muddy dirt road or forest road without thinking of the word gobsmacked. Of course, the word also pops into my head when I hear the vomit spewing from someones face and onto a floor (think small child, classroom floor) thankfully, it’s been many, many years since I heard (or smelled) that.

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Given the rains the mid-mitten got on Tuesday that forced me to run (or reasonable facsimile) on the treadmill rather than ride, many of the dirt roads were a tad soggy and gobsmacky to say the least.

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I used the Farley for added resistance and strength training and did one of my hillier routes in the area. Even typing that makes me sad, weepy and longing for riding in Western PA, because that “hilly” route contained just over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Some of my 30-ish mile rides in PA could easily top 3,000 feet or more. Sigh.

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Oh well, there is more rain in the forecast and I have a feeling that I will be gobsmacked again real soon.

Here, watch this overproduced short film about getting gobsmacked, made by someone with too much time on his hands and the gut feeling that he’ll never have a real job again. Enjoy…

Later.

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