In a reply I just made
I used the word "proliference". It sounded right, and I'm sure I've heard it before, but I couldn't be sure, so I googled it. It was on a few websites, but not, ominously, on dictionary.com. Then I thought maybe try it with an "a", so proliferance was googled. Again, more website hits, and a dictionary entry! Joy! A dictionary entry that says this word doesn't exist. Oh noes. So I try a couple of the links, and find a forum thread where they are discussing, among other things, if it's an actual word! Great stuff! Here it is - www.ambrosiasw.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t105591.html . Sadly they don't reach a conclusion. One guy, like me, think its some derivative of the word "prolific", but can't be sure.

Dumb? Well, the thing is, I don't care. And I've ensured, by way of t'just spouted useless drivel, that you don't either. Having said that, if anyone can shed anymore light...
(bacontrout got ska, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 17:10, 7 replies)

I think you're after
'Prolificacy' :)
(clumsyeloquence is a girl, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 17:27, closed)

Yes!
Thankyou! Your eloquence is anything but clumsy :D
(bacontrout got ska, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 17:33, closed)

You're welcome
I like people who make an effort to improve their internal thesauri.
(clumsyeloquence is a girl, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 17:35, closed)

Profiteroles?
Yes, profiteroles are better than proliference. Much better. So MNNNGGHH! You UTTER MONG! YOU PREFER(eth) PROLIFERENCE FROM PROFITEROLES! HOW VERY DARE YOU!
(Mr Idiot Sshhh...my yeast are rising..., Sun 30 Dec 2007, 18:14, closed)

I think you'll find.
The word is proliferation.

And what's all this about dog mauling, what what?
( The Awful Puppy Bakery is still bored, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 20:21, closed)

Ooh two options
well, a bit of hunting tells me that "prolificacy" is generally associated with fertility - an abundance of crops, fruit, offspring etc. "Proliferation" is used in the field of weaponry - ie a proliferation of nuclear weapons. They are by no means restricted to these meanings, so I think both are quite suitable. Awesome!

And the dog thing was just a reference to an earlier post by myself, which was just a particularly lame gag.
(bacontrout got ska, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 22:22, closed)

.
Mmn, I think the usage is quite different, really.

Proliferation refers to growth or an increase in numbers, sometimes more specifically through the the multiplication of cells.

Prolificacy refers to an abundance of something, or successful production of something. Hence the fertility link. You could refer to the prolificacy of an orchard, for example.

I'm trying to explain this as well as possible, but it is 22.45 and I have been drinking Jack Daniels, so feel free to correct me.
(clumsyeloquence is a girl, Sun 30 Dec 2007, 22:47, closed)