[neverdem]

I think I’d have gone with “adjective-bloated compost.”

The root of compote is the French word compost. Steyn makes me think of Bill Buckley, quite a wordsmith.

[Tax-chick]

That line came from a writer whom Mark Steyn was quoting ... but I’m sure he could have come up with it himself.

I missed the whole thing; can’t stand listening to Zero at any hour.

[norton]

Compote - Compost.

True, but in current use one means dessert and the other means a steaming pile of rotting gunk.

I'd still go with compost.