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#116117 01/29/04 03:19 PM
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Posting with one hand, scooping out doughey stuff from my mixing bowl with a spatula - SOED says its etymology is Latin, but a diminutive (-ula suffix) of spatha, meaning a broad, flat wooden instrument for stirring any liquid. Dates to 1525.

(Anyone know how to get dough off a keyboard?)


#116118 01/30/04 01:43 AM
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Hi Eliza, great to see you here :)

yep, OED2 confirms that, plus other applications of a similar tool ~ I'll quote it since the variants may be of interest to someone.

[L. spatula, var. of spathula spathula, dim. of spatha spatha. Cf. Sp. espatula, It. spatola.
The erroneous form spattular occurs in Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1607) 511. For Anglicized forms see spatule, spatul, spattle n.2, spartle n., also (with change of ending) spature and spatter n.1]

1. A simple implement of wood, ivory, or metal, having a flat elongated form with various modifications of shape and size, used for a variety of purposes:

a. For stirring mixtures (esp. of a medical nature), spreading ointments or plasters, etc.
1525 tr. Jerome of Brunswick's Surg. Civ/2 Take a spatula & styrre all these togeder.....

b. For minor surgical operations or for the medical examination of certain organs.
1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. ii. 45 This Scab+hath fallen off, by the help onely of a Spatula.....

c. For technical operations of various kinds.
1842 Loudon Suburban Hort. 306 The strip of bark+being raised up+by the spatula of the budding-knife....


(and then goes on to list 4 other meanings including a ferrule, a couple of spoonbills, and use in a combinatory sense)

As for your question, I am tempted to suggest "With a tongue, dear Liza, dear Liza", but I know I'll end up getting spanked with your spatula :)


#116119 01/30/04 09:37 PM
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In reply to:

As for your question, I am tempted to suggest "With a tongue, dear Liza, dear Liza", but I know I'll end up getting spanked with your spatula :)


Mr. Maverick to Eliza


That's why I like reading down here below the equator--very bizarre occurrences are more likely here rather than up there.


#116120 01/31/04 01:14 AM
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"That's why I like reading down here below the equator"

just remember to hold the book upside down [duck and run for cover]


#116121 01/31/04 05:21 AM
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Why thanks for the welcome, dear Mavrick, dear Mavrick
I'm relieved just to find out I'm not being got at!

And that I'm not the one who is upside down, Faldage,
Which is good coz it stops me from having to spat...

Thanks to all!




#116122 01/31/04 03:10 PM
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Why thanks for the welcome, dear Mavrick, dear Mavrick
I'm relieved just to find out I'm not being got at!


Oh, my, you've got it all wrong... being got at... by Mav! all us old ladies yearn for the opportunity!

He's cheeky, (but some damn clever at it, its impossible to stay mad at him!) I could tell you about him.. he is tall, dark and handsome.. and so much more.

(and it would be as true as when i claim long blond hair, pale blue eyes, clear creamy skin..) and leave out that there is an excess of skinneeded to cover the excess of body,.. and the eyes are surrounded by crowsfeet, (fine ones that resist all the modern anti wrinkle creams) the ones time has made permanent and.. well you get the picture


#116123 01/31/04 08:40 PM
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Hi, Helen! Mav and I have met in a previous life. No need to defend him - he's pretty good at it himself! And we are friends now (till the next time).

I admire your honesty - which is something that I try to avoid at all costs. Botox is a wonderful thing.
;)


#116124 01/31/04 08:47 PM
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Honesty is the best policy, but sometimes the premiums are
too high.


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