quidnunc

“Quid pro quo” can be found under “Q” in the dictionary proper, between “quidnunc” and “quids in.”

Quidnunc, kwid′nungk, n. one always on the lookout for news: one who pretends to know all occurrences.

Alas! capricious fate that governs these things turned my sweet, unconscious Ellen to one forever on the alert for the appearance of this long-legged quidnunc.

The rest can wait until you tell me what new quidnunc tale was invented to lure you here.”

“Maggot,” like all Mr. Muldoon’s work, is packed with gnarled and unfamiliar terms: quidnunc, spalpeen, tormentil, mullein.