subfusc

[prettygoodword]

subfusc - adj., drab, dark and dull, dusky, dingy.


And no doubt other d's. Can be specifically color as well as general appearance. Largely British usage, but useful enough for others methinks. Used since the 18th century, fromLatin subfuscus, brownish, from sub- + fuscus, dark. Pronounced sub-FUSK.

---L.

Comments

[maga-dogg.livejournal.com]

I'd only ever encountered it prefixed by 'academic' or 'clerical', so I got the general sense while assuming it had a more specific Oxbridgey meaning.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

There does seem to be something of an Oxbridgey air about it, but I've also seen it used in, for ex, mystery novels set outside the tweedy halls and the vicarage.

---L.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Ditto--for what you had to wear or something?

[maga-dogg.livejournal.com]

Not in recent years, at any rate; I was never obliged to wear anything special. There are many optional events which require dressing up in one way or another, but I was impecunious and bolshy.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

My husband was impecunious and bolshy, but it was twenty-some years ago that he was there--I'll have to ask him what the term meant for him (he's the one I've heard it from...)

[maga-dogg.livejournal.com]

I suppose it's plausible that formal robes (required for formal meals) could be considered subfusc if you were accustomed to something more dandified (or if you were a don and had been eating supper in the same robe every night for several decades). For moderns, however, academic robes cost an arm and a leg and are very definitely dressing up.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Here's what he told me, later:

Subfusc was the dress code for matriculation (I think) and Schools (exams), and maybe for some other events about college -- but it's really just a suit with your gown on top. The only special thing you'd have to purchase (assuming you have a dark suit) is a white bow tie.

ところで for formal hall (the dinner option where the college's dons, etc., sit at high table) you just needed to have your gown over your ordinary clothes.

I invariably went to informal hall, sans gown and dons.

He seems to be talking about a less expensive sort of gown? (I guess I assumed like the sort of thing the kids wore in the Harry Potter movies) More clarification needed....

[paulakate.livejournal.com]

I know this one from Edward Gprey, describing dancers' rehearsal wear as "lumpy and subfusc".

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Hee!

---L.