A.Word.A.Day -- AWADmail Issue 1173

A.Word.A.Day

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AWADmail Issue 1173

A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and Language

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From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org)
Subject: Interesting stories from the Net

Train Conductor’s Bilingual Morning Greeting Raises Hackles in Belgium
The Guardian
Permalink

Should a Country Speak a Single Language?
The New Yorker
Permalink

Email of the Week -- Brought to you buy One Up! -- “Guaranteed to ruin Christmas.”

From: Kathryn Smith (varikalm gmail.com)
Subject: corset

As with all fashion, corset silhouette changed radically over time, and was not strictly hourglass-shaped; in fact, the origins of the corset, the pair-o’-bodies (giving rise to the word “bodice”) or stays, was meant to give a distinctly conical shape, as the purpose was to display the fanciful, figurative, and newly-imported brocade and jacquard fabrics on the torso.

Moreover, despite modern sensibilities about the word, corsets were never strictly relegated to the female form. Several portraits of Sir Francis Drake, for instance, show a posture indicative of a specific style of stays. In the early 1800s, the Prince Regent of England was known to wear a corset, as well. The codification of corsets as strictly feminine didn’t occur until the Victorian period, particularly towards its end.

It wasn’t until the suffrage movement that corsets were made to be a symbol of societal constraint, much like bras were only made to be symbols of feminine oppression in the 1960s. A properly fitted corset, worn at a proper compression, is exceptionally comfortable and provides greater support and less restriction than a modern off-the-rack bra. You can clean your entire house top to bottom, run, walk, and even climb in a good corset. Modern back braces, used for heavy lifting, are more or less a type of corset! So are Spanx and other elastic shapewear garments. The second definition likely grows more out of Suffrage-era propaganda than the actual garments. Such history is actually incredibly fascinating.

Kathryn Smith, Newark, Delaware

From: Catherine Schaus (cschaus53 gmail.com)
Subject: Corset

I also recall reading books where an older, rotund gentleman in the 19th century is heard to have “creaking stays” from his corseting. (See here.)

Catherine Schaus, London, Canada

From: John Brown (via website comments)
Subject: corset

There’s a funny scene (video, 4 min.) in the movie about Gilbert & Sullivan Topsy-Turvy where the male lead singer (Kevin McKidd) is asked to perform without a corset and is upset because he doesn’t feel he can project as well without the support of his foundation garment.

John Brown, Louisville, Kentucky

From: Richard Stallman (rms gnu.org)
Subject: corset

My femmebot wanted an upgrade to be more attractive, so I gave her a sexy new core-set.

Richard Stallman, Boston, Massachusetts

From: Mohamed Patheria (mohamedpatheria gmail.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--corset

A classic limerick:

There was a young lady from Thrace
Whose corsets grew too tight to lace.
Her mother said, “Nelly,
There’s more in your belly
Than ever went in through your face!”

Mohamed Patheria

From: Elizabeth Block (elizabethblock netzero.net)
Subject: tight-laced

There’s also a cartoon showing a woman whose maid is pulling the strings on her corset. She is saying, “Lace me tighter, Marie. Tonight must be free of all restraint.” (It is likely somewhere on the internet, but I can’t find it.)

Elizabeth Block, Toronto, Canada

From: Susan Bues (susanbues gmail.com)
Subject: lacing up grandma

I remember lacing up my grandmother’s corset as she dressed. And pulling, and pulling... she would want it tighter, and tighter! She gave birth to fourteen children, and I imagine she felt she needed the corset.

Susan Bues, New Lebanon, New York

From: Hugh Parsons (whiteknuckleturning outlook.com)
Subject: patriotism

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Patriotism is often the cry extolled when morally questionable acts are advocated by those in power. -Chelsea Manning, activist and whistleblower (b. 17 Dec 1987)

Chelsea Manning stated this in 2013, 238 years after Samuel Johnson declared in 1775 about “false” patriots: “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”. In all the years since, have we not learned anything? (And will we ever?)

Hugh Parsons, Raumati South, New Zealand

From: Troels Forchhammer (troels forchhammer.net)
Subject: Patriotism

The “Thought for Today” by Chelsea Manning reminds me of Lord Baden-Powell’s words to the Scout & Guide Commissioners’ Conference on Jul 2, 1926:

“Patriotism for one’s country is not only narrow but harmful, if it does not see beyond its own horizon and recognise and appreciate good in other nations.”

Troels Forchhammer, Hedehusene, Denmark

Anagrams


This week’s theme: Words related to historical fashion Corset Tight-laced Bodice ripper Starchy Velvet glove	=	Girdle (watch that chiseled striptease!) Prissy teacher Romance book cover, TV show, or video Stilted Light feel	=	Stays, girdle, vest Proper, strict, lashed together Chick-lit hot bodies, whee! How conservative, formal Delicate
		-Dharam Khalsa, Burlington, North Carolina (dharamkk2 gmail.com)		-Julian Lofts, Auckland, New Zealand (jalofts xtra.co.nz)


This week’s theme: Words related to vintage clothing Corset Tight-laced Bodice ripper Starchy Velvet glove	=	Girdle Strict views beheld Aged erotic novel: the heckler overwhelms the captive protagonist Stodgy Tact
		-Robert Jordan, Lampang, Thailand (alfiesdad ymail.com)

Make your own anagrams and animations.

Limericks

corset

A fantastic appearance is swell
When you visit a five-star hotel.
My waist is so slim!
But I feel pretty grim;
This corset has come straight from hell.
-Beth Sandel, Cheval Blanc, France (bethjsandel hotmail.com)

There’s a lady residing in Dorset,
Who is never seen wearing a corset.
Some folks, looking in awe,
Think there should be a law;
But no sensible cop would enforce it.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

How much I dislike Mother’s corset!
And how every day we must force it
Up over her thighs,
(Midst grumbles and sighs!)
No wonder she really abhors it!
-Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com)

Her mother replied with a grin,
“This battle of bulge, you can’t win.
You simply must force it,
Dear, into a corset.
So, come on, my child, suck it in!”
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“I won, for my words I don’t corset,
Letting fly with all manner of horseshit,”
Said Donald. “And why?
‘Cause my mob loves a lie;
If it riles ‘em up, I’ll endorse it.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

tight-laced

That my dad is tight-laced is no lie;
He greets me at home with a sigh.
“You came home after nine
When you know my design
Is no pleasure at all till I die.”
-Beth Sandel, Cheval Blanc, France (bethjsandel hotmail.com)

In the bar scene, I have to admit,
I am tight-laced, a chronic misfit.
I prefer tea for two
For just me and you
And a friendship that’s truly close-knit.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

“I came to this house all tight-laced,”
Said Maria, “with vows to be chaste.
But Captain Von Trapp
Pulled me onto his lap,
So I shan’t let my charms go to waste.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

bodice ripper

The gal was so young and so pure,
Her attitude very demure.
The hero rides in --
A sly wink and a grin;
‘Twas a real bodice ripper for sure.
-Beth Sandel, Cheval Blanc, France (bethjsandel hotmail.com)

I love reading a good bodice ripper;
It makes me feel sexy and chipper.
But please save your scorn,
For I never read porn
When it’s Christmas, or else on Yom Kippur.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

Said Prince Charming, “It fits! It’s your slipper!
Let’s make this a real bodice ripper!”
Cinderella, delighted,
Became all excited,
And started undoing his zipper.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

starchy

For Annie her life was a dream
Like swimming in peaches and cream
Her starchy old spouse
By all means liked to grouse
But he loved his wife in the extreme.
-Beth Sandel, Cheval Blanc, France (bethjsandel hotmail.com)

Said Veronica, “Loosen up, Archie;
We’re teenagers, don’t be so starchy.”
“Take me!” countered Betty,
“For love I am ready!”
There followed a huge argy-bargy.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

velvet glove

“I’m a symbol of peace,” said the dove;
“There’s no fist in this soft velvet glove.
But here in Great Britain,
If outdoors you’re sittin’,
I surely will poop on you, guv.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Puns

“Of corset will fit!” cried Cinderella’s step-sisters, but the glass slipper would not go on their big feet.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

For pie baking the apple is peeled and the corset aside.
-Janice Power, Cleveland, Ohio (powerjanice782 gmail.com)

“This time I’ll use only the apple corset it on your head and shoot it off,” said William Tell to his terrified son.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

At the Christmas party, her co-worker was tight-laced with too many drinks, and bound to have a huge hangover the next day.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“Your story’s not exactly air-tight-laced with inconsistencies, isn’t it?” demanded Perry Mason.
“You’re right, I did it!” sobbed the witness.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Ya, my bodice ripper den your bod,” Hans teased Franz at the gym.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“Oh, you’re a star all right. A starchy-ter!” shouted Melania after hearing the Access Hollywood tape.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“It’s brand new!” said the ad in Pet Doctor. “Our no-velvet glove lets your fingers or entire hand up an animal’s hind parts without getting soiled or wet!”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

I read once, which I loved so much, that this great physicist who won a Nobel Prize said that every day when he got home, his dad asked him not what he learned in school but his dad said, “Did you ask any great questions today?” And I always thought, what a beautiful way to educate kids that we’re excited by their questions, not by our answers and whether they can repeat our answers. -Diane Sawyer, journalist (b. Dec 22, 1945)

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