geloscopy means divination by means of laughter. It carries an Arena rating of 1372, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, geloscopy ranks #34 of 17,140 for Most Whimsical Words, #162 of 17,163 for Funniest Words, #1,479 of 17,132 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #2,755 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words.
Why “geloscopy” is a great word
Divination by observing and interpreting the quality and occurrence of laughter. From Ancient Greek γελάω (geláō, "to laugh") + -scopy (from σκοπέω, skopéō, "to examine, observe"). Unlike oneiromancy, which decodes the cryptic narratives of dreams, or physiognomy, which reads static character in the fixed lines of the face, geloscopy seeks prophecy in a transient spasm, a sudden, unbidden physical truth. It is the fortune told in a nervous, clipped giggle; the destiny heard in a full-throated, helpless roar; or the omen contained within a smile that never quite reaches the eyes. In this quiet reading of the soul's momentary loss of control, our most involuntary revelations become our truest confessions.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek γελάω (geláō, “to laugh”) + -scopy.
noun
- Divination by means of laughter.e.g.“Long ago, followers of geloscopy believed the word you used to laugh revealed part of your personality! People who said “Ha!” when they laughed were considered to be honest but undependable[…]” — 2010, Bart King, Bart's King Sized Book of Fun, page 140:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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