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Posted By: tuhin Hector - 12/09/05 07:16 AM
How come "Hector" means a bully whereas the actual Hector of Illiad was a great hero.

tuhin
Posted By: Faldage Re: Hector - 12/09/05 10:16 AM
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?
Posted By: Logwood Re: Hector - 12/09/05 10:38 AM
According to my dictionary it does mean "mighty hunter".

Although I refrain from using eponyms.
Posted By: maverick Re: Hector - 12/09/05 11:09 AM
> I refrain from using eponyms

I agree - boycott them all!
Posted By: Logwood Re: Hector - 12/09/05 11:33 AM
Damn those cynic carpal tunnels!
Posted By: Homo Loquens Re: Hector - 12/09/05 11:37 AM
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.]

Posted By: Myridon Re: Hector - 12/09/05 04:43 PM
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.
Posted By: Faldage Re: Hector - 12/10/05 12:05 AM
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.
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