I cast about for a way to describe how I was feeling yesterday. I wasn't sick or depressed, but what was I?
My father's word came to be: "I am feeling punky." He probably said "a bit punky" or "a might punky" or some such.
I don't know when I last heard him say it. He's been gone for 24 years, but in my mind he said it much longer ago than that when I was a boy living at home.
I wondered if I had the correct word, or at least if I had understood the right meaning. To me it must have meant somewhat like tired but maybe a little more than just plain, old tired. Maybe tired plus a little off.
Of course, I had to google it. And yes, my memory was pretty well spot on, both in terms of the word itself and of its meaning.
The urban dictionary defines it as: "run down, tired, worn out, dragging, on the verge of getting sick with the flu or cold." Although I didn't feel on the verge of flu, the rest of the definition seemed to apply. It went on to add: "when you're feeling punky, you aren't feeling up to par - you're run down feeling. Sometimes abbreviated as punk - i.e. feeling punk"
Words and language add some spice to life, and, it was also nice to make that connection with dad.
23 comments:
How times have changed the expressions we use! Great example.
That is a good word to describe the way you have been feeling, John. i remember that my late aunt used it quite often and in exactly the same way. Hope you will be feeling un-punky once the new regime of antibiotics starts working.
I don't think I've ever heard it used that way, but it's a good description of something I feel rather often. Hope you can change "punky" to "chipper."
Wow, that's a new term to me, though I sure have experienced it. Now I have a name for it!!
My brother still uses many of these old terms. He makes me laugh, bless him.
I hope the punky feeling soon goes.
Hahaha not laughing AT you but just near you ... because I'm sorry you felt off but I (a southerner) never heard that word in my life AT ALL until I was married, and then my husband's family (Ohioans all) would say "feeling punk." I was puzzled at first but finally figured out what they meant. My own mother, from Louisiana, called it a "brown" feeling,hahaa -- brown being a color she heartily disliked. At any rate I hope you are feeling more yourself now and on track for a great week with your beloved. xoxo
My mom says feeling punky! She's originally from Pennsylvania in the States.
I hope that today is a better day.
I had that feeling yesterday.
The things we hear ourselves say from long ago!
Hope you are doing well today.
I thought the word punky just a bit out of ordinary or getting too excited.
I'm familiar with the term punk. Had not heard punky. It's about time you get a break from the challenges you've had lately.
After three days of sleeping poorly, punky describes me, too.
That's a phrase I heard growing up as well. Haven't thought of it in years. Hope you're feeling spunky now.
My parents used that expression frequently, so I do too, mainly because it's so descriptive of feeling off, not sick or with specific symptoms. Just under the weather.
Punky I have only ever heard used to describe wood - either firewood or planks that have been in the rain and sun enough that the fibres have softened. There are similar expressions - the UK has 'feeling parky' (not sure of spelling), meaning much the same. My grandmother said 'feeling poorly', and that is pretty close.
It is certainly a fine definition.
Hope you unpunk soon.
Feeling punky is an expression I've heard many times ... & used many times.
I've never heard that saying but it suits me right now!
Punky sounds familiar to me too but can't recall who used it in my past. I hope all your troubles resolve soon.
I had a day like that recently. The next day I discovered I had forgotten to take my morning pills on my punky day.
My dad used that and it has slipped into my vocabulary too, when I'm feeling -- well, punky! Hope it's a bit better today. (Thanks for the official definition.)
Perfect word for how I feel today. Not sick, not great either. Just...punky. Thanks for the new word!
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