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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Stint....A word used a dozen times in the past, but always with the meaning of a short term of duty. I learned the word as a child, in a sort of dialectical usage meaning a self-imposed task, such as picking a quart of blueberries. I was reminded of it by usage in the whaling story menaing "limited, insufficient": ......."Only fourteen days' stinted allowance of provisions reamined."
stint vt. 5ME stinten, to stint, cease, stop < OE styntan, to blunt or dull, akin to stunt, blunt, dull: see STUNT16 1 to restrict or limit to a certain quantity, number, share, or allotment, often small or scanty 2 [Archaic] to stop vi. 1 to be sparing or grudging in giving or using 2 [Archaic] to stop n. 1 restriction; limit; limitation 2 [Now Rare] a limited or fixed quantity, allotment, share, etc. 3 a) an assigned task or quantity of work b) a specified period of time spent doing something —SYN TASK stint$er n.
stint2 7stint8 n. 5LME stynte < ?6 any of various small sandpipers, as the little stint (Calidris minuta)
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542 Likes: 1
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542 Likes: 1 |
stint, vt...to restrict or limit to a certain quantity, number, share, or allotment, often small or scanty
KOKO (a cheap tailor; Lord High Executioner): Pooh-Bah, it seems that the festivities in connection with my approaching marriage must last a week. I should like to do it handsomely, and I want to consult you as to the amount I ought to spend upon them.
POOH-BAH (Lord High Everything Else): Certainly. In which of my capacities? As First Lord of the Treasury, Lord Chamberlain, Attorney- General, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Privy Purse, or Private Secretary?
K: Suppose we say as Private Secretary.
PB: Speaking as your Private Secretary, I should say that, as the city will have to pay for it, don't stint yourself, do it well.
K: Exactly--as the city will have to pay for it. That is your advice.
PB: As Private Secretary. Of course you will understand that, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, I am bound to see that due economy is observed.
K: Oh! But you said just now don't stint yourself, do it well!
PB: As Private Secretary.
K: And now you say that due economy must be observed.
PB: As Chancellor of the Exchequer.
K: I see. Well, come over here, where the Chancellor can't hear us...
--The Mikado, Act I
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
heh... I see you're well on your way to Pooh-Bahhood, Dr Wofa.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542 Likes: 1
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,542 Likes: 1 |
"I can't help it. I was born sneering. "
Someday...someday...
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
I can't help it. I was born sneering. I hear if you sleep on your side, it helps.
formerly known as etaoin...
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