A blogger friend from Down Under, Tim Hughes, featured this photo taken in Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport at the TSA screening area. Since American English is a second language for him, he proceeded to check out Dictionary.com — to no avail. It all seems official. What does it mean?
Recombobulation.
In his blog, Tim notes, according to the sign’s placement, “It is the place passengers go after the security check to put their belt and shoes on and reassemble computers and tolitery packs.”
Not finding a definition of reconbobulation, he tried to break the word into smaller segments. He noted that combobulation means, “To put together in a somewhat mysterious manner. To bring something out of a state of confusion or disarray. To manufacture by some unusual or novel means. Antonym: discombobulate.”
My take: Someone at the airport with a good sense of humor put the sign up above the area where travelers have to get redressed and get themselves put back together after the TSA screening lanes. There is nothing mysterious to me, just something that brings a smile to my face when thinking about passing through the normally banal screening procedures.
Maybe the term will stick? But I don’t think so. It may be worth a trip to Milwaukee? No, after quick reflection, I don’t think so.
Thanks to the photographer who shared this with Tim. Send us some of your snaps when you see something interesting.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
We call it reinvesture at LAX, after you divest you reinvest……
In Milwaukee we have always had a strange vocabulary, “bubbler” instead of drinking fountain, etc.,. Disconbobulation is being all mixed up, so “Recombobulation” is being all unmixed!!
It may not be a word but it sure ought to be.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29452504.html
Local paper had an article about this a few months ago.
LOL, I like this comment from Planebusiness.com:
a new sign that went up last month in Concourse C touting the zone as the “Recombobulation Area”. It’s that place you put yourself back together — shoes, belt, laptop, jackets, and the occasional titanium hip — after the discombobulation of going through security.