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Posts: 60
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 60 |
What is the relationship between the noun obsequy and the adjective obsequious? Anyone?
(*I'm really asking, this isn't a joke*) : )
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 60
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 60 |
Announcement!
The above post not only represents my first potental thread-starter here, but is my first post as a newly-graduated newbie~what a momentous day! Can't wait to reach lexist pig status!
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Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
That's this week's theme, tg. Words that look like something they ain't.
sextet - nothing to do with sex.
potatory - nothing to do with potatoes.
gyrovague - nothing to do with gyroscopes (or gyros for that matter) or vagueness.
discommode - nothing to do with the potty.
and
obsequy - nothing to do with obsequiousness.
Well, except the last three anyway seemed to have some etymological relation.
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veteran
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veteran
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289 |
On the rare occasions I encounter the word, I can't help laughing again at that immortal section of Huckleberry Finn where the Duke and the King conduct the funeral orgies of a deceased notable. And to think this is one of the most frequently banned books in the U.S.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
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Congratulations, lexist piglet!
In case of confaldaging, try this:
ob·se·quy (ŏb'sĭ-kwç)
n., pl. -quies.
A funeral rite or ceremony. Often used in the plural.
[Middle English obsequi, from Old French obseque, from Medieval Latin obsequiae, alteration (influenced by Latin exsequiae, funeral rites) of Latin obsequia, pl. of obsequium, compliance, dutiful service; see obsequious.]
ob·se·qui·ous (ŏb-sç'kwç-əs, əb-)
adj.
Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning.
[Middle English, from Latin obsequiôsus, from obsequium, compliance, from obsequî, to comply : ob-, to; see ob– + sequî, to follow.]
ob·se'qui·ous·ly adv.
ob·se'qui·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear teresag: After reading maverick's post, I'm reminded of a bumper sticker I saw a long time ago:
If you're not confused, you just don't understand the situation.
(no offense meant to maverick)
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I'm reminded of a bumper sticker I saw a long time ago
Not to mention ESCHEW OBFUSCATION
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
it's real simple, the (etymological) connection between the two is obsequium, in the sense of service - funereal or servile. -ron obvious 
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 60
journeyman
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OP
journeyman
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 60 |
obsequy - nothing to do with obsequiousness.
Apparently not entirely true - both referring to compliance.
(Who is more compliant, in a non-physical way, than a dead person?)
sextet - nothing to do with sex.
Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day, the possibilities for sex without two partners notwithstanding.
etc.
Which leaves me to wonder about the rest of Anu's "unrelated" words. Anyone know?
My faith in Anu lies broken upon the rocks. (Or is it my "confidence?" Don't answer.)
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
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Before the thread comes to an end, can anybody tell me why the herring should be red? I've seen a lot of herrings, but never a red one. In the original phrase about drawing a red herring across the trail to confuse the dogs, the dogs couldn't tell or care what color the herring was.
Maybe this is the answer:
A herring that has been dried, salted and smoked turns a reddish colour.
These cured fish have a particularly strong smell, so in medieval times
they were useful as a lure for training hounds in stag hunting.
Later, people who were opposed to fox hunting would drag a red herring
across the fox's trail and entice the hounds away from the scent of their
quarry.
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