Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#156081 02/24/06 03:23 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
At the request of a good friend on another board I relay this for your views...

Question: Which sounds best?

Which sounds best?
single choice
Votes accepted starting: 02/24/06 04:20 AM
You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.
#156082 02/24/06 03:41 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
I think swallow:summer is the more allusive literary combo;
but this is the more evocative expression for me: one robin does not a winter end.

#156083 02/28/06 03:50 AM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
One swallow doesn't make a summer is the version I'm familiar with. A quick google, however, traces it back to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics:

[16] Moreover, to be happy takes a complete lifetime; for one swallow does not make spring, nor does one fine day; and similarly one day or a brief period of happinessdoes not make a man supremely blessed5 and happy.


http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Aristot.+Nic.+Eth.+1098a+1

I notice this translation:
http://www.mikrosapoplous.gr/aristotle/nicom1a.htm#I7 says But we must add 'in a complete life.' For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.

But the LSJ, is quite adamant that 'ear' means spring. http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z4E8217BC.

Of course, the difference between spring and summer may reflect the difference between the English and Greek climates.

Incidentally, how does one view the results of the poll? I voted but still can't see them.


Bingley
#156084 02/28/06 12:33 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
M
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
M
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Thanks for that clarity, Bing. hm, can't understand why the poll doesn't show for you - try again?

#156085 02/28/06 04:52 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 389
enthusiast
Offline
enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 389
I choose the third, but what I'm waiting for is TEd to say something about springs and swallows.

#156086 02/28/06 05:02 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
> springs and swallows.

well...


formerly known as etaoin...
#156087 03/01/06 08:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427
addict
Offline
addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427
It's swallows and summer for me too. We say the exact same thing in Spanish. And sparrows are year-round dwellers where I live.

#156088 03/01/06 10:42 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
T
veteran
Offline
veteran
T
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
When the swallows/ come baaaack to Capastrano/ this summer
That's the day/ my true loooove/ returns to me/ uh, this summer.


Hey, the polling aparatus works and this time the pollees are right!
I think.

We juke a paralell rendering in 'de hood; we jive...

"One monkey don't stop no show"

Dig?

Last edited by themilum; 03/01/06 10:52 PM.

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,351
Members9,182
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 580 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
wofahulicodoc 10,549
tsuwm 10,542
LukeJavan8 9,918
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5