Olio

I'm not sure I knew that term prior to renascence for me in the last few years of crossword-solving.  As with so many terms in the cruciverbalist universe, it rarely seems to find its' way into the mainstream.  I'm always pleased to remember it when working a puzzle, don't get me wrong, and I am always delighted to have my vocab expanded usefully, but this is one of those that seems to have lived on largely through role in word-play.  Many of the words featured in Reading the OED were somewhat in that category too, possibly fascinating but a little tough to squeeze into conversation lest you seem at least a little Rhodes-ish or Ivy-ish and in the prima-donna school.  And of course these days any dollop of such superiority (or possibly even literacy) will gain you a tatooed A or a spot in Quantanamo or worse.

But what about that olio, you say?

First of all, a music trivia for you, with a long set-up.  I'm a sucker for song lyrics of all sorts.  Scat-singing and doo-whop sounds can lead me to one form of ecstasy.  But I am also keen on word-play and exotic word choices in musical lyrics.  My love-affair with the exceptional music of singer/songwriter John Hiatt came about mostly as a result of my attending a great Pike Place Market performance by a band featuring brother-in-law Keith a couple decades back which involved the tune Falling Up.  I was smitten by the remarkable word-play accompanied by excellent music.  This is so seminal to me that it occurs to me that I may have shared it before.  Apologies if so.

A great tune on its' wonderfully jerky musical merits alone, but a thrill ride for anyone, just an excerpt:

I'm gonna lower my standards and raise my price
I'm gonna take your lunch and your bad advice
Until my worse idea gets the big reward
Until I get out of this raggedy Ford
And into a shiny new two-seater
Dress my girlfriend up like a cheetah

I trust you get my drift on this exceptionally fine number.  And musician non pareil.

But on that trivia question, focused on lyric erudition.  Please get back to me in comments with details of R&R tune that uses the word "rectify."

And, completing the "olio" business, what do you make of a wolverine in California?  This scary critter has always fascinated me.  News that there might be a handful in the North Cascades was one thing, this is something else.