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We often use our friends from the animal kingdom to characterize the behavior of our fellow human beings, "She eats like a pig... he is savage as a wolf..." These terms are frequently unfair -- the word hircine used to refer to goats but has another sense indicating a lustful nature. Are goats lascivious? Who are we to say?
This week's AWAD presents more words in a similar vein. So the next time you employ one of these words to figuratively refer to a two-legged creature around you, be careful. You may be slandering someone -- the four-legged one.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Anu, you're a foxy critter!
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Carpal Tunnel
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When used to describe a woman, "foxy" suggests sexual attractiveness. When used to describe a man, it suggests cunning and shrewdness in a negative sense. I don't think there is a usage in which the fictitious Anu may properly be described as foxy.
Sorry Jackie.
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Carpal Tunnel
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unless, like my great-grandfather, he has reddish hair-- as does my daughter-- both can be called "foxy" in a discriptive way.-- (but needless to say, my daughter doesn't mind the sexy connotation. ) I think too, that foxy for a man is also used to describe attactiveness-- I would expect a foxy man to be, sharp, sly, and so good looking, that it would be easy to fall prey to his charms...
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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When used to describe a man, it suggests cunning and shrewdness in a negative sense.
Ha! Little do you know...
I shall try to do more of a metaphor--not exactly one of my strengths. Anu is as clever and as quick as a fox. I was trying to avoid this usage as it is a plain old noun, but, since my judgement has been called into question... Anu is a fox. And if anyone isn't clear on what that means, a la slang, I'll be happy to explain private. (Bristles still aquiver.)
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Carpal Tunnel
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(Bristles still aquiver.)
Where exactly do you keep those bristles?
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Where exactly do you keep those bristles?
On the back of my neck, she growled. Do not even come close to maligning my beloved Anu (either of them)!
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