The third eye. Lid.

[desperance]

So there we were, me at desk and Barry sprawled indolently across both keyboard and manuscript, so that there was absolutely nothing I could do but scratch him under the chin there, just where he adores it; and when he's best purringly pleased with himself and with me his nictating membrane shows itself as he sheathes his eyes, and I was just watching that and thinking that I've been using the word for years but have no actual idea what 'nictating' means, when it struck me with the force of a steam-hammer: actually, it's just a typo. In Barry's case at least, it's a dictating membrane. It means "scratch me under the chin there, dolt." And I do.

[Actually I just looked it up, and it means winking or blinking, which is a little dull; but for added excitement, it can be spelled with an extra syllable. Nictitating. Did ever any word look more like a typo?]

Comments

[jodi-davis.livejournal.com]

OMG

http://jodi-davis.livejournal.com/11430.html

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Hee. I haven't read Jacqueline Carey yet (took a look, but was put off by the language, I think - tho' various people have urged her at me since). But I promise not to import the nictating membrane into my fiction, she can keep that entirely to herself. Interesting that she goes for nictitating, though. Three syllables are enough, surely?

[jodi-davis.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding me - it's Carey! Three syllables are never enough! I do like her though. I like Anne Bishop a lot too - the difference between them - is Anne treats you like you are smart and Jaqueline treats you as if you are stupid.

Hey I just finished your first book - I like you too! I'll give you my blow by blow when I can do you justice.... (and yes, Anton is crushable - and yet... crushin' on Elisande...)

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'd appreciate the blow-by-blow, I like feedback.

And yay for Elisande - she's my darling too. As are they all, of course - but, see, they're all so young, except for Anton. Or at least, he thinks he's sooo old and dark and bitter in comparison...