Foreign words

Every now and then in one of weekly columns, I'll use a word that some will write ask me to "splain." It's usually a word that I, obviously, take for granted everybody knows what it is or what it means.

This week's word from my "Sadie Hawkins Day Cowboy-Style" column: http://www.ruidosonews.com/lincoln/ci_8399077

is "gyp" as in gyp water. I forget there are people who live where water is sparkling and delightful to drink.

For those of you not living where gyp water is common:

Gyp water is tainted with the mineral Gypsum, which is a widespread colorless, white or yellowish mineral, used in the manufacture of plaster of Paris, various plaster products, and fertilizers. It won’t hurt you but it tastes vile and it gives you terrible diarrhea and a stomachache you won’t forget.

If you have ever eaten green persimmons then you know what gyp water does to your mouth. You can spit it out and keep spitting but never get rid of the taste or the pucker. You'd swear to never taste it again.