What (who) is RUNCIBLE - definition
NONSENSE WORD CREATED BY EDWARD LEAR
Runcible Spoon; Runcible spoon
![One of [[Edward Lear]]'s drawings depicts the dolomphious duck's use of a runcible spoon.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Lear Runcible spoon.png?width=200 "One of [[Edward Lear]]'s drawings depicts the dolomphious duck's use of a runcible spoon.")
![owl and a pussy-cat]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Rye, The Runcible Spoon pub - geograph.org.uk - 170712.jpg?width=200 "owl and a pussy-cat]]")
RUNCIBLE
Early system for mathematics on IBM 650.
See also FORTRUNCIBLE, IT.
[Listed in CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959) ].
(1994-10-27)
Runcible
"Runcible" is a nonsense word invented by Edward Lear. The word appears (as an adjective) several times in his works, most famously as the "runcible spoon" used by the Owl and the Pussycat.
runcible spoon
['r?ns?b(?)l]
¦ noun a fork curved like a spoon, with three broad prongs, one of which has a sharpened outer edge for cutting.
Origin
C19: used by Edward Lear, perh. suggested by late C16 rouncival, denoting a large variety of pea.
Wikipedia
Runcible
"Runcible" is a nonsense word invented by Edward Lear. The word appears (as an adjective) several times in his works, most famously as the "runcible spoon" used by the Owl and the Pussycat. The word "runcible" was apparently one of Lear's favourite inventions, appearing in several of his works in reference to a number of different objects. In his verse self-portrait, The Self-Portrait of the Laureate of Nonsense, it is noted that "he weareth a runcible hat". Other poems include mention of a "runcible cat", a "runcible goose" (in the sense of "silly person"), a "runcible wall", and "the Rural Runcible Raven".
