Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#122451 02/09/2004 7:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
wwh
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
A spellingbee word! = thumb in Latin


#122452 02/10/2004 3:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
veteran
veteran
Offline
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
Also means big toe. From Lewis and Short: "To close down the thumb (premere) was a sign of approbation; to extend it (vertere, convertere; pollex infestus), a sign of disapprobation." Premo 'to press (down)' and verto 'to turn'. Or as we say today, thumbs up and or down. (Reminds me of a 7Up soda drink in India called Thums Up.


#122453 02/10/2004 3:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,168
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,168
Likes: 2
I think Big Toe is usually Hallux.

Hallux valgus is a bunion.

(Valgus is pointing inward; cf. varus, pointing outward. Both are also used for knees - knock-kneed is genu valgum, bowlegged is genu varum. Genu = knee, as you might gather, as in genuflect = bend the knee.)



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,916
Posts230,325
Members9,209
Most Online4,606
Sep 17th, 2025
Newest Members
Peripatetic Toad, JerryC, blvd, Tony Hood, Wood Delivery
9,209 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 11,168
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,974
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2026 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.1