The Case of the Circus Murder

XVIII

DAISY'S GUIDE TO THE ESTATIQUE CIRCUS (AND THE SWANN HOTEL)

As normal, Hazel has asked me to define some words that she has used in this account. I know what all of these words mean, of course, but most people simply aren't as clever as me. Hazel has done a good job of writing up this case, and I have to admit that she is improving. A little more work and a few more cases, Anne some might even become a genius like me.

Amateur - somebody who is new to something and needs to improve. 

Applaud - another word for clapping for a show or performance.

Barge - running into somewhere in a rush, usually without permission.

Blackmail - threatening someone not to do something because you know a secret about them that you could share.

Chump - a silly, occasionally stupid person. Hazel used to be a bit of a chump.

Corroborate - a fancy detective word meaning agree (in this case, George had to corroborate Alexander's clue).

Discriminate - a nasty thing that happens to Hazel and George. It is when people are rude because somebody is different.  

Estatique - the name of the circus we went to, and is French for ecstatic.

Exchanged - where you give or share something with each other, like money.

Ferociously - fiercely and quickly. Lavinia is quite ferocious. 

Flared up - getting angry immediately after someone has said something you don't like.

Genius - Daisy Wells.

Grades - a sort of score you receive in a test. Hazel and I get very good grades.

Half-sister - a sister that is not entirely your sister. She will have the same father but a different mother or the other way around.

Irritated - annoyed and angry at something or someone.

Jolt - a sudden stop. It can also mean something you get in your stomach when you realise something terrible.

Leak - this doesn't always mean water. Hazel used it meaning that the secrets were shared.

Morse - if you have read this case and still do not know what morse means, please get out.

Musophobia - a tricky word, I admit. It is the name for the fear of rats and mice, which I personally think is a silly fear.

Pang - an emotional feeling that you get in your chest. Hazel gets them when Alexander mentions me. I don't get pangs.

Pash - a girl admiring another girl (usually older) and desperately wanting to be their friend.

Persuade - making someone think or do something they didn't think or want to do before. I am quite good at persuading adults.

Promptly - doing something immediately after something happens or someone says something.

Shrimp - the name for the younger girls at Deepdean.

Spiffing - a word George, Alexander, and I use a lot that simply means 'very good'.

Stifle - trying to hide something, usually laughter or tears.

Telegram - a way to send and receive messages. They are very useful. 

Underage - under 18, but in some cases, it can mean younger than a certain age limit.

Unforgettable - the meaning is quite clear. I think Alexander finds me unforgettable, but Hazel doesn't like it when I say that.