Discombobulate--or where's Bob?

A recent blog post reflected upon two weeks of serenity recorded in a journal entry. At the end, my “serene” mood turned to “discombobulated.”  Long-time readers know I frequently muse upon prefixes and how they affect the meaning of words. Of course, I wondered if the prefix “dis-,“ meaning opposite of, was attached to the root “combobulate,” which would be a synonym of serene, to form discombobulated.  Also, I am curious as to who is Bob and why did he disturb my serenity?

Not surprisingly, I found that “combobulate” is not a word.  Chambers Slang Dictionary defines “discombobulated” as an adjective appearing in the 1950’s meaning “unsettled, out of sorts.” The word first appeared as “a nonsense word” combining “discomfit” or “discompose” with “bobbery.”  (The Oxford English Dictionary refers to “discombobulate” as “jocular,” another fun word.)  In the words “discomfit” and “discompose,” the prefix “dis-“ does come into play, so I can claim my prefix through a chain of linguistic stretching.  (Please don’t “diss” me for making that leap!)

Now it is time to look for that rogue “Bob.”  According to Chambers, “bobbery” means “an argument, a disturbance,” but also “a hoax or trick,” especially an illegal one.  (A “bobbery pack” is a mixed pack of hunting hounds, speaking of possible sources of disturbance.)

  

It makes “sound” sense that “combobulate” is not a word meaning “serene.”  The word “serene” sounds serene.  The soothing “s” calms.  One can imagine sleeping on a silent sea of serenity.  Conversely, “combobulate” provides calisthenics for the mouth, crashing and exploding around.  (See “thingamabob,” 16 June 2013.)  Somehow, I cannot imagine the “Combobulation Prayer” associated with any 12-step program.

I find it interesting that “Bob” keeps showing up in these informal, fun words.  As I was contemplating “discombobulate,” I imagined someone impatiently waiting for Bob to get ready to go to an appointment.  If the impatient person very quickly said, “justcomebobyou’relate,” it could sound a lot like “discombobulate.”  Sadly, “discombobulate” turned into an ear worm for me.  So Bob, wherever you are, get ready and go so I can stop thinking about your tardiness!