#74996
07/04/2002 8:55 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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More items taken from : http://www.bootlegbooks.com/Reference/PhraseAndFable/data/115.htmlGrimm's Law A law discovered by Jacob L. Grimm, the German philologist, to show how the mute consonants interehange as corresponding words occur in different branches of the Aryan family of languages. Thus, what is p in Greek, Latin, or Sanskrit becomes f in Gothic, and b or f in the Old High German; what is t in Greek, Latin, or Sanskrit becomes th in Gothic, and d in Old High German; etc. Thus changing p into f, and t into th, "pater" becomes "father."
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#74997
07/04/2002 9:11 PM
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Posts: 13,858
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Grog Rum and water, cold without. Admiral Vernon was called Old Grog by his sailors because he was
accustomed to walk the deck in rough weather in a grogram cloak. As he was the first to serve water in
the rum on board ship, the mixture went by the name of grog. Six-water grog is one part rum to six parts
of water. Grog, in common parlance, is any mixture of spirits and water, either hot or cold.
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#74998
07/04/2002 9:14 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Grotesque (2 syl.) means in "Grotto style." Classical ornaments so called were found in the 13th century
in grottoes, that is, excavations made in the baths of Titus and in other Roman buildings. These
ornaments abound in fanciful combinations, and hence anything outré is termed grotesque.
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#75000
07/04/2002 9:24 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Guess (I). A peculiarity of the natives of New England, U.S. America.
I guess us Yankees got lots of peculiarities.
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#75001
07/04/2002 9:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
Grog, in common parlance, is any mixture of spirits and water
Fascinating. I'd always thought grog was the real rough stuff, whereas actually it's the watered-down stuff. I take it that "groggy" isn't from the same root, then?
Edit: a flying maverick just answered that one. Hi mav! Byee!
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#75002
07/04/2002 9:28 PM
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Posts: 13,858
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Guinea Sir Robert Holmes, in 1666, captured in Schelling Bay 160 Dutch sail, containing bullion and
gold-dust from Cape Coast Castle in Guinea. This rich prize was coined into gold pieces, stamped with an
elephant, and called Guineas to memorialise the valuable capture. (See Dryden: Annus Mirabilis.)
Guinea. The legend is M. B. F. et H. Rex. F. D. B. L. D. S. R. I. A. T. et E. - Magnĉ Britainniĉ,
Franciĉ, et Hiberniĉ Rex; Fidei Defensor; Brunsvicensis, Lunenburgensis Dux; Sacri Romani Imperii
Archi Thesaurarius et Elector.
Guinea-pieces = 21s. were first coined in 1663, and discontinued in 1817. The sovereign coined by
Henry VII. in 1480 was displaced by the guinea, but recoined in 1815, soon after which it displaced the
guinea. Of course, 20s. is a better decimal coin than 21s.
I often wondered how the coin got its name.
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#75003
07/05/2002 3:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Halcyon Days A time of happiness and prosperity. Halcyon is the Greek for a kingfisher, compounded of hals (the sea) and kuo
(to brood on). The ancient Sicilians believed that the kingfisher laid its eggs and incubated for fourteen days, before the winter
solstice, on the surface of the sea, during which time the waves of the sea were always unruffled.
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#75004
07/05/2002 3:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Half Half is more than the whole.. (Pleou hmiou pantoz)This is what Hesiod said to his brother
Perseus, when he wished him to settle a dispute without going to law. He meant "half of the estate
without the expense of law will be better than the whole after the lawyers have had their pickings." The
remark, however, has a very wide signification. Thus an embarras de richesse is far less profitable than a
sufficiency. A large estate to one who cannot manage it is impoverishing. A man of small income will be
poorer with a large house and garden to keep up than if he lived in a smaller tenement. Increase of wealth,
if expenditure is more in proportion, tendeth to poverty.
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#75005
07/05/2002 3:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hallelujah is the Hebrew halelu-Jah, "Praise ye Jehovah."
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#75006
07/05/2002 3:45 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hamadryads Nymphs of trees supposed to live in forest-trees, and die when the tree dies. (Greek, hama,
together with drus, a forest-tree.)
The nymphs of fruit-trees were called "Melides" or "Hamamelids."
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#75007
07/05/2002 7:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Harlot is said to be derived from Harlotta, the mother of William the Conqueror, but it is more likely to
be a corruption of horlet (a little hireling), "hore" being the past participle of hyran (to hire). It was once
applied to males as well as females. Hence Chaucer speaks of "a sturdy harlot ... that was her hostes
man." The word varlet is another form of it.
"He was gentil harlot, and a kinde;
A bettre felaw shulde man no wher finde
Chaucer: Canterbury Tales, prol. 649.
"The harlot king is quite beyond mine arm."
Shakespeare: Winter's Tale, ii. 3.
My dictionary says it was originally euphemism for whore, and now means prostitute
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#75008
07/05/2002 7:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Harrier (3 syl.). A dog for hare-hunting, whence the name.
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#75009
07/05/2002 7:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
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Haversack Strictly speaking is a bag to carry oats in. (See Haver-Cakes.) It now means a soldier's
ration-bag slung from the shoulder; a gunner's leather-case for carrying charges.
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#75010
07/05/2002 7:30 PM
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Posts: 13,858
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Hawk and Handsaw I know a hawk from a handsaw. Handsaw is a corruption of hernshaw (a heron). I
know a hawk from a heron, the bird of prey from the game flown at. The proverb means, I know one
thing from another. (See Hamlet, ii. 2.)
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#75011
07/05/2002 7:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Heart A variety of the word core. (Latin, cord', the heart; Greek, kard'; Sanskrit, herd'; Anglo-Saxon,
heorte.)
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#75012
07/05/2002 7:45 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Heavy Man (The), in theatrical parlance, means an actor who plays foil to the hero, such as the king in
Hamlet, the mere foil to the prince; Iago is another "heavy man's" part as foil to Othello; the "tiger" in the
Ticket of Leave Man is another part for the "heavy man." Such parts preserve a degree of importance, but
never rise into passion.
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#75013
07/06/2002 3:45 PM
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Posts: 13,858
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Henchman. Henchboy The Anglo-Saxon hinc is a servant or page; or perhaps henges-man, a
horse-man; henges or hengst, a horse.
I posted elsewhere about "henchman" but this is the first time I have found confirmation of
my theory that it began with the trusted armed retainer who led a knight's horse by its
bridal in crowded streets, so the knight could have both hands free to protect against an
assassination attempt.
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#75014
07/06/2002 3:50 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hengist and Horsa. German, hengst (a stallion), and Horsa is connected with our Anglo-Saxon word
hors (horse). If the names of two brothers, probably they were given them from the devices borne on
their arms.
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#75015
07/06/2002 4:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Heretic means "one who chooses," and heresy means simply "a choice." A heretic is one who chooses his
own creed, and does not adopt the creed authorised by the national church
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#75016
07/06/2002 4:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Heriot A right of the lord of a manor to the best jewel, beast, or chattel of a deceased copyhold tenant.
The word is compounded of the Saxon here (army), geatu (grant), because originally it was military
furniture, such as armour, arms, and horses paid to the lord of the fee. (Canute, c. 69.)
Some of the most enjoyable stories I have ever read were those written under pen name "James Herriot"
Alf Wight was a country vet and as James Herriot a best selling author. Two films and the popular television
series 'All Creatures Great And Small' were based on his books. The stories were based on his experiences as a country vet. His first book -'If only they could talk'- was published in 1970. In all he wrote eight books about his life as a vet. In 1979 his illustrated "James Herriot's Yorkshire" was published with photographs by Derry Brabbs. The book with photographs of the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Coast and commentary by Alf went on to be another best seller
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#75017
07/06/2002 4:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hibernia A variety of Ierne (Ireland). Pliny says the Irish mothers feed their babes with swords instead
of spoons.
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#75018
07/06/2002 4:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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High Falutin or Hifaluten. Tall talk. (Dutch, verlooten, high-flown, stilted.)
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#75019
07/06/2002 4:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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High Tea The meal called tea served with cold meats, vegetables, and pastry, in substitution of dinner.
"A well-understood `high tea' should have cold roast beef at the top of the table, a cold
Yorkshire pie at the bottom, a mighty ham in the middle. The side dishes will comprise soused
mackerel, pickled salmon (in due season), sausages and potatoes, etc., etc. Rivers of tea,
coffee, and ale, with dry and buttered toast, sally-lunns, scones, mufflins, and crumpets, jams
and marmalade." - The Daily Telegraph, May 9th, 1893.
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#75020
07/06/2002 4:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hinder is to hold one behind; whereas prevent is to go before (Anglo-Saxon hinder, behind, verb
hindrian).
Beautiful.I wish I'd said that.
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#75021
07/06/2002 4:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Histrionic is from the Etruscan word hister (a dancer), histriones (ballet-dancers). Hence, histrio in
Latin means a stage-player, and our word histrionic, pertaining to the drama. History is quite another
word, being the Greek historia, histor, a judge, allied to histamai, to know.
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#75022
07/06/2002 5:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hob and Nob together. To drink as cronies, to clink glasses, to drink tête-à-têle. In the old English
houses there was a hob at each corner of the hearth for heating the beer, or holding what one wished to
keep hot. This was from the verb habban (to hold). The little round table set at the elbow was called a
nob; hence to hob-nob was to drink snugly and cosily in the chimney-corner, with the beer hobbed, and a
little nobtable set in the snuggery. (See Hob Nob.)
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#75023
07/06/2002 5:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hobby-horse A child's plaything, so called from the hobby-horse of the ancient morris-dance; a light
frame of wicker-work, appropriately draped, in which someone was placed, who performed ridiculous
gambols.
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#75024
07/06/2002 8:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hogmanay', Hogmena' or Hagmen'a. Holy month.
New Year's Eve is called hogmanay'-night or hogg-night, and it is still the custom in parts of Scotland
for persons to go from door to door on that night asking in rude rhymes for cakes or money. (See Hog.)
In Galloway the chief features are "taking the cream off the water," wonderful luck being attached to a
draught thereof; and "the first foot," or giving something to drink to the first person who enters the house.
A grand bonfire and a procession, in which all persons are masked and in bizarre costume.
King Haco, of Norway, fixed the feast of Yole on Christmas Day, the eve of which used to be called
hogg-night, which in the old style is New Year's Eve.
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#75025
07/06/2002 8:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Homoeopathy (5 syl.). The plan of curing a disease by very minute doses of a medicine which would in
healthy persons produce the very same disease. The principle of vaccination is a sort of homoeopathy,
only it is producing in a healthy person a mitigated form of the disease guarded against. You impart a mild
form of small-pox to prevent the patient from taking the virulent disease. (Greek, homoios pathos, like
disease.)
I never heard vaccination called a form of homeopathy!
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#75026
07/06/2002 8:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Honeymoon The month after marriage, or so much of it as is spent away from home; so called from the
practice of the ancient Teutons of drinking honey-wine (hydromel) for thirty days after marriage. Attila,
the Hun, indulged so freely in hydromel at his wedding-feast that he died.
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#75027
07/06/2002 8:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Hopkins (Matthew), of Manningtree, Essex, the witch-finder of the associated counties of Essex, Suffolk,
Norfolk, and Huntingdonshire. In one year he hanged sixty reputed witches in Essex alone. Dr. Z. Grey
says that between three and four thousand persons suffered death for witchcraft between 1643 and 1661.
Nicholas Hopkins. A Carthusian friar, confessor of the Duke of Buckingham, who prophesied "that
neither the king (Henry VIII.) nor his heirs should prosper, but that the Duke of Buckingham should
govern England.
Three of four thousand makes the Salem witch executions look like small potatoes.
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#75028
07/06/2002 9:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Houri (pl. Houris). The large blackeyed damsels of Paradise, possessed of perpetual youth and beauty,
whose virginity is renewable at pleasure. Every believer will have seventy-two of these houris in Paradise,
and his intercourse with them will be fruitful or otherwise, according to his wish. If an offspring is desired,
it will grow to full estate in an hour. (Persian, huri; Arabic, huriya, nymphs of paradise. Compare ahivar,
black-eyed.) (The Koran.)
Oh, Death, where is thy sting? A recent copy of NEWSWEEK said a number of Muslim scholars say this
promise in the Koran is due to a calligraphic error, and should mean "a bunch of grapes".
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#75029
07/06/2002 9:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Huguenot (U-gue-no). First applied to the Reformed Church party in the Amboise Plot (1560). From the
German cidgenosscn (confederates)
Huguenot Pope (La pape des Huguenots). Philippe de Mornay, the great supporter of the French
Protestants. (1549-1623.)
This really surprised me!
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#75030
07/07/2002 12:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
I work a few doors up from the Perth Ice Works - which has been in business at the same premises for decades. Not only do they sell ice, but they are licensed to sell alcohol as well.
Noticed on my Friday afternoon ("beer o'clock") pilgramage there last week that they have a new sign in front:
Perth Ice Works. Purveyors of Grog. Ice by the Bag or Block.
Jack lived there until my arrival.
stales
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#75031
07/07/2002 12:57 PM
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Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Latest Smithsonian magazine has story about enterprising Bostonian who got rich shipping harvested ice around the world. So enterprising he contrived to keep a guy who had invented an ice making machine from selling a single one. http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues02/jul02/object.html
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#75032
07/07/2002 1:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6 |
>> he contrived to keep a guy who had invented an ice making machine from selling a single one.
That's what inventor Gorie suspected, anyway. Don't know if it was sour grapes. "Gorrie suspected that Frederic Tudor had spearheaded a smear campaign against him and his invention."
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#75033
07/07/2002 2:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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I believe inventor Gorrie was correct. Tudor was rich enough to have crossed a lot of palms
with silver.
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#75034
07/07/2002 2:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6 |
In the same issue there's an article wondering if Thor Heyerdahl was a sham.
For some odd reason it's not in the online edition though. In the paper edition it's just before wwh's article, and the table of contents says
>Presence of Mind: Kon Artist?
>Thor Heyerdahl's adventures sparked interest in archaeology and anthropology - but was he more shaman than scholar?
>by Richard Conniff
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#75035
07/07/2002 2:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6 |
wwh, to you last, "could do wrong" doesn't equal "did do wrong"
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