homonyms? almost homonyms? or related words?

i stumbled across konops (greek (old greek)) for mosquito.. and discoved that a canopy is from the word for mosquito netting.. (OK, that works for me..) and canapé is related!

its not clear if the canapé is called that because the light topping to the bread or cracker is like a light curtain. or if because the bread is like the bed that the canopy covers.. but either way..

dontcha just love it when you find a fun connection like that?

The original French canapé was a sort of couch/davenport/sofa (see earlier thread and read all about it) which had a kind of curtain suspended over it. French chefs somehow imagined that a bit of toast covered by a nummie or nummies looked enough like a curtained couch that they transfered the term to the goodie. I think.

Can you please define nummie, Father Steve?

nummie, also spelled nummy.

Noun. Good things to eat, particularly as distinguished from things to eat which are mostly good for you but not particularly tasty, flavourful nor appetizing.

There is a food shop of some sort in Des Moines, Iowa, called Nan's Nummies.

2. Adjective. Tasty, good to eat, flavourful, appetizing.

Nummy Muffin Cocoa Butter was the name of a radio program in Austin, Texas/ http://nummymuffincocoabutter.com/new/index2.html

3. Exclamation. Expressing pleasure upon eating something which tastes good, is delightful, pleasing to the palate.

There is an episode of The Simpsons in which Ned Flanders, their next-door neighbour, invites Homer to a barbecue. "Come on over and strap on the feed bag. We're going to fire up old Propane Elaine and put the heat on the meat! Nummy-nummy-num!"

Etymology unknown, perhaps related to yummie, also spelled yummy.

~The Old Padre's Dictionary of Words I Use Whether You Like Them or Not and What I Mean by Them (copyright pending).

yes, i did leave out the french intermediary.

a canapé was french for a 'upholstered seat, with a top curtain". the seat name was borrowed a name for the greek word for a bed curtain (mosquito net curtain) a worded rooted in the term for mosquito.

but its not clear if a canapé is named for the 'bread' (seat) or for the top 'nummy' (curtain).
i don't remember canapé coming up in the 'what do you call the furnature you sit on thread.. of course that could just be a senior moment on my part.. -(likely to be, in fact)

still makes interestin cocktail party conversation.. (to bad i never get invited to any.)

Dear Helen ~

I no longer throw cocktail parties because I no longer drink cocktails. But, if I did, I'd be pleased to invite you ... to spice up the conversation with such tidbits as these.

Stephen

In reply to:

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nummie, also spelled nummy.

Noun. Good things to eat, particularly as distinguished from things to eat which are mostly good for you but not particularly tasty, flavourful nor appetizing.

---

Oh. Food, as opposed to nutrition.

Bingley

a canapé was french for a 'upholstered seat, with a top curtain"

"Canopy" also gives us tree canopy - the 'top curtain' of a tree-lined street or trail.

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

Would Kilmer appreciate the irony of this quotation, I wonder.

No matter, I'm sure others will. :)

http://snipurl.com/gorf

yes, "tree canopy" is valid--but it usually used to describe the tops of trees in a forest.

a tree lined street,allée, or driveway is more often called a 'bowery'.
NYC's 'bowery' (a continuation of lower half of 2nd Avenue) got its name because it was originally the driveway to the country estate of retired Governor Styvatston(sp?). the estate was planned around the native trees, and right from the beginning had a bowery, and was called The Bowery.

in the 1930, the area was rather seedy, and most people today are more family with 'The Bowery Boys' (a movie series of films about a bunch of borderline juvenile delinquents,) or from the term 'bowery bum' (aka an alcoholic).

The Bow’ry, the Bow’ry!
They say such things,
And they do strange things
On the Bow’ry! The Bow’ry!
I’ll never go there anymore!

http://www.barrypopik.com/article/360/the-bowery-1892

~The Old Padre's Dictionary of Words I Use Whether You Like Them or Not Not arguing your right to use it, Father, but I have to say I don't like this word, primarily because of this woman I read about years ago. She was raising her child in an experimental way, which amounted pretty much to giving him anything he wanted; and when he wanted "nummies", she pulled her car over to the side of the road right then and there, and let him nurse...at age three and a half! I ask you!

oh is there an 'officially correct age' for weaning?

i'll be honest, my kids went through their first weaning as soon as they cut teeth. i am just not a loving enough mother to get bitten (twice).

but my DIL didn't wean my granddaughter till she was close to 3-- and late weaning (3 or more years) is not uncommon in many cultures.

i sometimes think kids aren't fully weaned till the are seperated from their parents by death. i know i still get called in to provide 'motherly support and comfort' by my children. (not often, but still) and expect i will be doing so at odd intervals for the rest of my life.

a tree lined street, allée, or driveway is more often called a 'bowery'

In some parts of the country, or in France, perhaps.

Urban Forest Facts

Canopy - Trees for Palo Alto
http://snipurl.com/gp4x

Trees are an invaluable component of natural ecosystems, not only in rural and wilderness areas, but – perhaps even more importantly – in urban settings. Trees benefit not only individual residents, but also the entire city and surrounding areas.
Trees add to the aesthetic enjoyment of life. An environment abundant with trees is both healthful and restorative.
Trees significantly increase real estate values for residential and business properties; an ordinary 36 inch tree can add $30,000 – a special tree can be worth $100,000.
Trees enhance economic stability by attracting businesses; people linger and shop longer where trees are present.
Well-landscaped areas experience less crime against people or property.
Apartments and offices with a canopy of trees rent more quickly and have a higher occupancy rate. Workers report more productivity and less absenteeism.
Trees save energy. Strategically placed trees can reduce the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer, with energy savings of 15% to 35%.
A large street tree has the cooling power of ten air conditioner units operating twenty hours a day. Shaded air conditioners operate 10% more efficiently than those in direct sun.
A windbreak can cut heating cost from 10% to 50%.
Trees reduce wind intensity and act as a noise buffer.
Drivers slow down on canopied streets.
Trees need less water than lawns. Trees also reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which can cause erosion and complicate flood control.
Birds and other wildlife find welcome habitat in trees.
Trees reduce the impact of greenhouse gases by removing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They improve air quality by reducing the formation of smog, capturing airborne dust particles on their leaves and increasing humidity.