|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 390
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 390 |
I found that poem Raul. It was by someone called Alexander Pope
"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;
For shallow draughts intoxicate the brain
And drinking largely sobers us again."
I dont know if that's got a link with that made up word you found or not though.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I had forgotten the poem. He olvidado el poema. Me parece que "sip from the Pierian Spring" significa "have a little learning." Un poco de sabiduría es(tá) una cosa peligrosa. A dangerous thing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876 |
I had forgotten the poem. He olvidado el poema. "he olvidado" is "I have forgotten"; "habia olvidado" is what you want. Un poco de sabiduría es(tá) una cosa peligrosa. Here you want "es" as you are speaking about the characteristic of something. The verb "ser" (from which it comes), is used for personality and physical characteristics, as well as other things. I poked around a bit, and stumbled onto this link: http://www.pierians.org I have no idea if there is any connection, but quite possibly there could be.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
perhaps a note of explantion (for the newbies) is in order: Where Can I Look It Up? is the fine work of our own sjmaxq, who also posted here in the early days as Max Quordepleen. sadly, Max (an anonym) no longer posts here, as he has drastically reduced his online presence*. one thing we noted about Max over the years was his propensity to self-denigration, which somewhat explains my reply to Faldage, above. *this might also explain the email problem(?)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,526 |
I think Latishya has the key: "A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring; For shallow draughts intoxicate the brain And drinking largely sobers us again." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierian_SpringIt could mean someone with a strong interest in the arts or it could have a derogatory implication, perhaps referring to a dabbler or someone with very superficial understanding.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
The phrase was first used in the Satiricon written by Petronius (Titus Petronius Arbiter)
"This is the right armour of genius-
"Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring."
Only then pour out your heart."
In 1969 Frederico Fellini made a film, Fellini Satiricon , that was loosely based upon the book. The film is deliberately fragmented and surreal though the androgynous Giton (Max Born) gives the graphic picture of Petronius’ character.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I had forgotten the poem. He olvidado el poema. "he olvidado" is "I have forgotten"; "habia olvidado" is what you want. Un poco de sabiduría es(tá) una cosa peligrosa. Here you want "es" as you are speaking about the characteristic of something. Gracias, dosadormecidos.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
I had forgotten the poem. He olvidado el poema. "he olvidado" is "I have forgotten"; "habia olvidado" is what you want. When A. learned, it was "se me olvidó", as "it forgot me" or "it was forgotten to me". Regional variations?
ÅΓª╥┐↕§
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876 |
A. is correct! It is really weird construction compared to English. I think Faldage's construction is acceptable, if not common. Not being a native speaker, I can't say how it really falls on native ears, but I'd use it if I felt it was the best choice. Maybe I'd get laughed at, who knows? :0)
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,915
Posts229,917
Members9,197
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
819
guests, and
3
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
