I have lost two words

[MaMight]

This is not actually pendantry, but I thought I would have most luck if I put it to the Pedants' Corner squatters.

Two separate questions:

1. This morning I called my daughter a "daft bessom" and then realised that I have only ever read the word 'bessom' and don't know it's literal meaning. Not wanting to unwittingly use an offensive word, I looked it up... and can't find it anywhere. There is a word bessom isn't there? What does it mean?

1. Years ago I had a 'Word of the Day' calendar. It gave me a word that means a collections of jams, marmalades, honeys etc. It was the breakfast equivalent of 'condiments' I loved this word and used it as often as I could poncily shoe-horn it into conversation. Now I have forgotten it completely. Anyone know?

PS apologies for any spelling or grammar mistakes. I'm not really literate enough to post here, I know .

OK, I work in a biiiig library and because I am verysad really want to solve the mystery, I'll see if any of our 19th century household manuals refer to setting the table for breakfast and what they call it.

Oooh this is interesting - I will keep popping back for updates.

Gah. Am sorry to let you down ladies, I could find lots of instructions on exactly how far apart the plate and cutlery should be, and some awesome breakfast menus (7 courses?!) but no indication of a word for more than one kind of preserve.

great question. great thread. i'm off to, erm, repeat all the googling you lot have undoubtedly already done (anything to avoid work...)

it isn't confection(s) is it?

I know

not confection then?

Someone must know!!

nutella?

but was thinking conserves, see she's already thought of that

nutella

So - def not 'les confits'?

and not more general and slangy like 'appurtenences"?

Or something pretend french like "bonbonnerie?"

I always thought there was a special word for when rabbits graze just before dusk, but I could never remember what it was, or find it in a dictionary, or find anyone else who knew the word - but apparently it's just in Watership Down.

I also swear I brought a rolling pin for £3 last time I was in IKEA (just before Xmas) but do you think I can find it now I need to use it?

something from the latin for breakfast? ientaculum (too much browsing not enough working)

I'm sure it's a Frenchie word meaning 'that which may be spread on a wheaten comestible' or 'that which is associated with the first meal'. Petit-dejeuneries, or tartinables or summat-like.

Or keep thinking, oddly

'Darling, I'm laying the table - could you bring the blandishments?'
'Yup - with you in a tick.'

Dulcifications been tried yet? I may have made it up as a collective noun but it does mean to sweeten things

ooh, that sounds promising suzannened!

Nothing useful to add to my earlier posts, but just marking my spot here so that it doesn't drop off my active convos. I'd hate for everyone else to find out the word, while I'm still left in the dark!

PS Keep going, OBM - that's a splendid selection of previously unknown words.

It is one of my greatest talents AP (some of them are real, shurely?)

It must be here somewhere?

Can't believe I have read this whole thread and no one has come up with the word yet.

This will now drive me mad.

I want a list of words that have been suggested so far please?

matutinal ?

I have a National Trust book of Jams, Preserves and Edible Gifts at work. I will have a look at it tomorrow for clues.

just idly flicking frough a fesaurus and would like to offer the fact that 'quintessence' can be used to mean 'an extract added to food'...?

Also to share with you the true extent of my adolescent pretension, when I longed for an opportunity to spell ketchup 'catsup'.