The Rogue Speaks:
All of my boys' childhood friends know what a zarf is. When we lived in Chicago, the winters were brutal! Lots of snow and ice to contend with, and not a lot of driving to be done if one could help it. Kids always seemed to congregate at our house, and it was up to me to entertain them. We had a running Scrabble game going, and the rules were a little different for these young teens and pre-teens. They were allowed to use the dictionary to find words, BUT if they used the word, they had to define it and use it in a sentence. We made English FUN for these kids. They didn't even realize they were actually LEARNING something!!
So now on to my "z" word--ZARF! A zarf is a holder for a handleless coffee/tea cup. Zarfs have traditionally been used in the middle east. They are made from silver, or gold, brass, and occasionally wood. They can also contain jewels or precious stones.
You have probably used a contemporary zarf yourself. Check out the example below!
Doesn't that look familiar?? And there is an even more streamlined version as well:
Zarfs are great for keeping your hands from being burned from that hot coffee cup. Even Starbucks uses a form of a zarf--that cardboard sleeve--so they won't get sued by the customer! Remember the McDonald's lawsuit??
The best thing about the word ZARF, though, is the fact that it can be worth as much as 78 points when you use it in Scrabble!
Well, that's all I have for today! Please be sure to read the other offerings for Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. I tried to keep this short so you would have plenty of time to check them out!
42 comments:
The photos of the first two are gorgeous! What a grand way to drink coffee.
Erika
Artful Rising
Yes, I do know what a Zarf is, but never knew they called it that! I'll have to remember this one.
Hey I learned something new tonight! Very cool Z word! I really like yoir stories! Anne
Very interesting and informative Z word! I'll have to try that word out on my grandkids and see if they know it.
I'm coming to your to play scrabble too! Sounds like a load of fun...especially during those snowed in days.....I also want all my coffee served in that first Zarf! It is so very elegant ....of course I'm sure that most of them must have been, especially if they had jewels too! What a very cool new z word for me....I've seen them before but had do idea that they were called that! Great song to go with this too!
That is so cool. I wonder if when I go to Starbucks next they will think I'm a freakoid if I ask for a Zarf.
BTW, your poor fish were so very hungry.
Oh wow, I've never heard that word before...how interesting, Judie! I have some news on my blog...If you have a chance, I hope you'll stop over for a sec.
XO
Cindy
I always learn something here, but this one has the potential to win me upwards of 50 points........
I'm optimistic.
What a fantastic idea to play scramble like that, and now I learned the word zarf! Thanks Judie!
Hello.
I've never heard the name Zarf before, but I'd definitely feel like a king if someone served me coffee in those first 2!
This is why I love coming to Miss Jenny's...always something new to learn!
Nice post.
Thanks for sharing & for your lovely comment on my entry:
The Evening Zephyr
Hi Judie!
I always learn something new here too! Now I know what a zarf is!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my post. Pleased to read you enjoyed my earlier novel - hope you enjoy the latest one as much!(Though Amazon.com software messed up the transcription of the font of "The De Clerambault Code" onto their Kindle version so it didn't originally read as written! "Soul Stealer" thankfully is perfect!)
Happy Alphabe-Thursday!
Have a great weekend & look forward to *seeing* you again next time,
XOXO LOLA:)
Alphabe-Thursday
OH Zarf Zarf Zarf!
That's my snarky giggle with a Z:)
I love learning from you Judi, lets get together for a good Scrabble game someday. I'll bring the Zarf's...the cardboard kind:)
Can I use it as a verb? I would like to zarf today, or maybe go zarfing.
I didn't know 'zarf' until you posted here. but I will remember the word when I play scrabble. thanks!
have a sweet day.
What a grand word! zarf. Perhaps one COULD use it as a verb--would you please zarf my coffee cup?
That sounds like a very fun way to play scrabble!
Zarf, a new word for me! Great post, I enjoyed learning about Zarf!
Thank you for explaining what a zarf is! And what a clever mom you were to those teens and preteens!
We've been big Scrabble players over the years, too. But I have to admit that "zarf" is a new one on me!
=)
I think my coffee loving husband would love a zarf! What fun word! I just love saying it.
very very cool ... and a new scrabble word! thanks for the little lesson!!!
Now who said ya can't teach an old farm chick new tricks??? I learned something here 'cause I've never hear of a Zarf!!!
Have a blessed day sweetie!!! :o)
Terrific! Another new word for the vocabulary...and clever you with the Scrabble game...betting those young adults have a much larger grasp of the English language thanks to your efforts. Great post!
I learned something new ! Never heard the word "zarf" ! It could be an antique mug, lol !
Well I learned something new today! And love your Scrabble story.
Hope all is well. What's new in your world?
There was a character named Zarf a few years ago on All My Children. Until now, that was the only place I'd ever heard the word.
What a delightful word! It tickles your tongue to pronounce it. I've seen vessels like this but never knew the name. Can't wait for my next scrabble game!
Thank you, Judie. I learned something new.
Never too old to learn, right? I had never heard of a Zarf. We love to play scrabble. Boy, is this new knowledge gonna help me out next time. My 30 yr. old son is amazing and always comes up with wonderous words. Wonder if he's heard of a zarf? Here's hoping not. lol!
Hmmm...that's a fancy word for the four cupholders I have in my car. Thanks for the mini-lesson.
How funny! I never knew that those things were called "Zarf". I always just assumed they were called "coffee cup holders." Zarf sounds too much like a sound effect or a noise an animal makes :) I should share this tidbit with my husband. I'm sure he'll find it amusing :)
Well that is certainly a word I would have challenged, Judie, but now I will use it! Aren't the jeweled ones beautiful? Once again, I learn from the mater! :)
um, that would be "master" even though you are a mater, as in "hello mater, hello father," though I think I screwed that up too. :)
Hi Judie!
I just got back from Napa, celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary. I wanted to pop in and say hi before I start the laundry.
I did not know the word zarf and being a linguist of sorts, I love new words. Thanks for that one. And what pretty zarfs you've found as examples.
And you are so right about Chicago winters. We used to hibernate from that brutal cold. Describing a Chicago winter to someone recently, I called it a cold that is utter pain, deep down to the bone.
I'm going to use the word zarf today on my husband and kids.
I use a zarf quite frequently. Especially if the coffee is in a paper cup!Good one Judie!~Ames
Thank you for teaching me what a zarf is!
Too funny. I would have thought you were making that one up!
The next time I'm in Tim Horton's I'll be sure to ask for a zarf for my coffee cup.
Zarf sounds like it should be the name of a alien villain on Star Trek.
Or what you could call throwing up in your sleep. (ZZZZZ + barf)
Judie, every day I learn something new. And today it was the word "zarf." And I like your version of scrabble better than any I've heard before.
I never heard of Zarf before! Thanks for expanding my vocabulary and for the beautiful pics!
It looks like you snuck a lesson in on us too, but I love to learn!
What a small world. I happen to be the owner of the most extensive zarf collection in the world.
It's wonderful to meet someone who appreciates the aesthetic and...
...
...
Okay.
Who am I kidding?
I never heard of this word before this post!
And now I have, I will still probably not become an ardent zarf collector.
But it was still a wonderfully, clever and creative post.
Thanks for sharing it.
Z you soon!
A+
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