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#151827 12/09/05 07:16 AM
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tuhin Offline OP
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How come "Hector" means a bully whereas the actual Hector of Illiad was a great hero.

tuhin

#151828 12/09/05 10:16 AM
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Was Hector noted for being domineering? It's not mutually exclusive with being a hero in times of war. Besides, he was on the losing side and the winners write the language.

Why does Nimrod mean doofus when the original Nimrod was a mighty hunter?

#151829 12/09/05 10:38 AM
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According to my dictionary it does mean "mighty hunter".

Although I refrain from using eponyms.

#151830 12/09/05 11:09 AM
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> I refrain from using eponyms

I agree - boycott them all!

#151831 12/09/05 11:33 AM
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Damn those cynic carpal tunnels!

#151832 12/09/05 11:37 AM
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Quote:

ORIGIN late Middle English : from the Greek name Hector . Originally denoting a hero, the sense later became [braggart or bully] (applied in the late 17th cent. to a member of a gang of youths in London, England), hence [talk to in a bullying way.]



#151833 12/09/05 04:43 PM
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Quote:

Why does Nimrod mean doofus when the original Nimrod was a mighty hunter?




Would you believe it's Bugs Bunny's fault? Bugs used nimrod to refer to Elmer Fudd sarcastically as a (not-so) mighty hunter. Children, not being Biblical scholars and Nimrod only being a passing mention anyway, assumed this was just referring to Fudd's generally inept Fudd-iness.

#151834 12/10/05 12:05 AM
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Thank you, Myridon. I think I had that tucked away back in the dusty back corner of my JunkDrawerMemory®. Thanks for dragging it out where I might remember it for a few minutes.


Moderated by  Jackie 

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