-ICK suffix The Superior Person should be alert not only to the conversational potential of words and word-forms but also to their potential for written use. A nice effect can be obtained by the addition of the archaic "k" to otherwise uninteresting "ic" suffixes. Thus "comick," not "comic"; "physickal" (or better still, "physickall"), not "physical"; "garlick," not "garlic." Mind you, like the garlick itself, this little device should be used sparingly. Once per missive, at the most. You want to gain a reputation as a lovable eccentric, not a laughably bad speller.
Each Tuesday, we’ll offer up a Superior Word for the edification of our Superior Readers, via the volumes of the inimitable Peter Bowler. You can purchase all or any of the four Superior Person’s Books of Words from the Godine website. -ICK appears in the Second.
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