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Once more, I'm suffering from loganamnosis.
The word or idiom I forgot is used to describe things, particularly rules and functions that are "sacred ground", and people should never mention or consider to change/revoke them.
I hope you know what I mean.
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Terra sancta.
Father (Literalist) Steve
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Pooh-Bah
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sacrosanct Function: adjective Etymology: Latin sacrosanctus, probably from sacro sanctus hallowed by a sacred rite 1 : most sacred or holy : INVIOLABLE 2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation <politically sacrosanct programs> Certainly a word applicable to discussions on current events.
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Um, "Terra sancta", according to my dictionary, is Israel (in German or Latin?).
Not sacrosanct. The word I'm looking for is very specific and can only be used in the context I described. The "sacred" was just an example nevertheless... maybe I couldn't explain it properly.
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Pooh-Bah
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Well I would use sacrosanct's second definition in exactly that situation. "Inviolate" is another possibility, as is "unassailable."
unassailable not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with <one of the unassailable beliefs of that political party>
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Quote:
Well I would use sacrosanct's second definition in exactly that situation.
So would I. I would prefere it over unassailable because to me, sacrosanct implies "held as inviolate, something which ought not be challenged", while unassailable suggests something that actually is not open to chllenge.
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Well, thanks for the suggestions,
But the thing is, I can use these words in a sentence that does not pertain to the situation I describe. While the word I'm looking for is very specific.
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Do you mean inviolable or incontestable?
The word for unmentionable is 'ineffable', like the Tetragrammaton: "the ineffable Hebrew name that gentiles write as Jehovah." And the term "ex cathedra" is used in relation to Papal infallibility.
Last edited by Homo Loquens; 02/03/2006 9:27 PM.
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Quote:
Well, thanks for the suggestions,
But the thing is, I can use these words in a sentence that does not pertain to the situation I describe. While the word I'm looking for is very specific.
I'd love to see examples of the usage of "sacrosanct" in situations other than one you're looking for. Do you have any handy?
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Wait, let me rephrase my topic:
The word or idiom I forgot is used to describe rules and functions that should remain as they are, and should be unmentionable or unspeakable as for being changed or removed.
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Something more like "golden rule"... like, "this is the golden rule of our company, and you can't expect it to ever be changed."
But I know there's another word for it. Dang it.
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"Terra sancta", according to my dictionary, is Israel
Was that dictionary published in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?
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Quote:
Terra sancta.
Coffee-colored pottery?
TEd
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Well, though not quite, that's definitely closer than anything else. Thanks Faldage
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I'd probably use sacred cow to describe a person.
time-honoured?
hallowed?
policy?
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Quote:
I'd probably use sacred cow to describe a person.
It can be pretty much anything.
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Taboo is what springs to mind for me....
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Of course, Elizabeth, the word "taboo" sprang into my mind immediatly after that I read what you wrote. 
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Quote:
Quote:
I'd probably use sacred cow to describe a person.
It can be pretty much anything.
Fangs, Faldage 
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Pooh-Bah
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Log: "Dangerous ground" is as close as I can come: subjects the discussion of which--however neutral--is nonetheless risky for fear of offense or misunderstanding. Like, in company one doesn't discuss religion or politics. You don't want to suggest that some sex laws might be overly harsh for fear of being suspected of perversion. In today's conservative atmosphere you mustn't suggest any flaws in the American character else you're branded unpatriotic
Log, don't be disappointed if you can't find the perfect expression. Often there's simply no word for the concept
dalehileman
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Quote:
Something more like "golden rule"... like, "this is the golden rule of our company, and you can't expect it to ever be changed."
But I know there's another word for it. Dang it.
Set in stone? I put that into Onelook's Reverse Dictionary, but it gave mostly ref.'s to stones, so I put in 'inviolable'; you might want to see if any of these are what you're looking for:
web page
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Logwood, examine the words you used when you re-asked your question.
"The word or idiom I forgot is used to describe rules and functions that should remain as they are, and should be unmentionable or unspeakable as for being changed or removed."
That, Logwood, is incoherent.
Collect your thoughts and reword your question.
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Well then,
The word or idiom I forgot is used to describe rules and functions that should be unmentionable as for being changed or removed.
Hope that's better. I can't think of a better way to describe it....
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Sorry Logwood, I can't understand the words that you used in your question as for being answered or forgotten.
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Pay no attention to Milo, Logwood, He's just being persnickety. I understood you just fine. I like taboo better than sacred cow. Sacred cow carries with it the connotation of a foolishly held belief.
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Quote:
Pay no attention to Milo, Logwood, He's just being persnickety. I understood you just fine. I like taboo better than sacred cow. Sacred cow carries with it the connotation of a foolishly held belief.
Well then, Mister Faldage, don't be persnickety, speak aloud what you think Logwood has said. 
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Wull … I dunno, Milo. What part didn't you understand?
He wants to know the term for rules the changing of which is not even discussed. Examples of such rules might include the banning of eating human flesh or of the mating of close relatives.
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Milo, I understood Logwood. BTW, in case you forgot, he's writing in his second language. Do you have a second language (besides Alabamian)? 
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And Annastrophic, do you think we can help dear Logwood with our condescension? How about it Logwood, would you like me to speak highly of your good syntax when it ain't? I thought not. Next time take care with the English you use when you ask a question about English to English speaking adults. Good. Now what is your next question?
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Seriously, I could've easily word it the way Faldage did, but anyway, people seem to have understood me just fine... so give me a break and take your condescending attitude elsewhere.
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Quote:
Wull … I dunno, Milo. What part didn't you understand?
He wants to know the term for rules the changing of which is not even discussed. Examples of such rules might include the banning of eating human flesh or of the mating of close relatives.
I don't think those are outlawed in Alabamia, are they? 
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Quote:
Wull … I dunno, Milo. What part didn't you understand?
He wants to know the term for rules the changing of which is not even discussed. Examples of such rules might include the banning of eating human flesh or of the mating of close relatives.
I don't think those are outlawed in Alabamia, are they?
And here was I thinking they were actually required over there. Prescribed rather than proscribed, as it were.
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Quote:
Examples of such rules might include the banning of eating human flesh or of the mating of close relatives. - Faldage
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I don't think those are outlawed in Alabamia, are they? - Maverick
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And here was I thinking they were actually required over there. Prescribed rather than proscribed, as it were. - Max
Ahh..."Deep South" jokes from the rusting North, from degenerate, across-the-pond England and from Max down below, who must have taken methemilum off his "ignore" list in order to grab his fair share of giggling prep school remarks.
Boys, your childish japes are as the sented gulf wind that whistles a green song in the tips of tall trees - pleasant to the ear.
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Well, your local knowledge is always enlightening, Milo! btw, saying I hail from England is akin to saying you hail from Connecticut an' all ~ given the ways less civilised folk are getting bent out of shape about even less than that at the moment, I decline to get excited though. Remind me I owe you a cold beer one of these days... 
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Milo doesn't drink beer. He drinks PBR or something like that.
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that's Pabst Blue Ribband or summat, yes?
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Yeah. Sorta a yaller colored drinkoid fluid ya gotta drink it real cold so's ya don't have to taste it.
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