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#1541 10/30/01 06:04 PM
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I was interested to find a meaning of "zeugma" that must have preceded the use of the word in rhetoric.

1. ZEUGMA and APAMIA (not to be confused with the Zeugma by Thapsacus where Alexander crossed
the river; cf. Strabo, XVI, 1, 23. Zeugma means simply ford, or crossing).

This is mentioned by Pliny, V, 21; "Zeugma, 72 miles from Samosata, a fine crossing of the Euphrates.
Seleucus Nicator joined it to Apamia on the opposite bank by a bridge."

How does its meaning of "crossing" come to be used as the rhetorical term?

zeug[ma 7zy1g4m!, z1g$38
n.
5L < Gr, lit., YOKE6
1 SYLLEPSIS
2 a figure of speech in which a single word, usually a verb or adjective, is syntactically related to two or more words, though having a different sense in relation to each (Ex.: The room was not light, but his fingers were)





#1542 10/30/01 06:18 PM
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How does its meaning of "crossing" come to be used as the rhetorical term?

The word in question, in your example quoted:

The room was not light, but his fingers were,

the word light crosses the syntactic divide from one meaning (not dark) to another (not heavy, in this case a slang term indicating an ability to steal).


#1543 10/30/01 07:50 PM
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Dear Faldage: Since it is the "but" that is the connector, I should think it would be the "zeugma" across which the "light" crosses.


#1544 10/30/01 08:46 PM
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it is the "but" that is the connector

Perhaps you're right, Dr. Bill, but see, "He put out the cat, his cigar and the light", from Have Some Madeira, M'dear.


#1545 10/31/01 03:18 PM
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So the cat could have a light ouside. Rouch on house wiring. And the cat smoked the rest of the cigar.


#1546 10/31/01 03:43 PM
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Rouch? (ICLIU)

Suggested alternates:

1. ruche
2. rush
3. Rush
4. Rosh
5. roach
6. rough
7. rochet
8. rushy
9. Russia
10. routh
11. rushee
12. Rough
13. ruches




#1547 10/31/01 05:25 PM
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Typo for #6 on your list.


#1548 11/25/01 03:23 AM
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"He put out the cat, his cigar and the light"

'tis "lamps", dear F, to rhyme with "stamps". One of my favorite songs.

Edit: http://www.eadon-sheldon.fsnet.co.uk/flanders_and_swann.html is a substituted link, more attuned to Dub-Dubs interests in that it also includes the Hippopotamus Song and Ill Wind the music to which you will recognize, WW! .

#1549 11/25/01 08:56 AM
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Keiva, the link wouldn't come up... Is this just one of those temporary situations? Has happened before...

WW


#1550 11/25/01 03:35 PM
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Dear WW: the URL won't work if "http://" appears twice. Since AWAD software adds "http://" you have to erase it from URL you want to make clickable.

You can also use edit,copy,,edit paste to make it work.


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