Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

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

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#202035 08/24/11 06:27 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
B
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
B
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5
Interesting that mountebank would be one of the chosen words for this week's theme. Although the roots are different, charlatan and mountebank have precisely the same etymological meaning, i.e. someone who jumps onto a bench to pitch his wares. One of the last mountebanks, Ralph A. Marcom, who performed at renaissance festivals as MarcoM the Mountebank DO, MIMC, passed away on October 13, 2010. He was the author of Lord of Legerdemain, a handbook for renaissance festival performers. He spoke a half-dozen languages fluently. His favorite plaything was the English language.

Bill Palmer #202055 08/24/11 03:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 2
Yes, indeed, thanks for bringing it to our attention.
R.I.P.


----please, draw me a sheep----
Bill Palmer #202069 08/25/11 03:29 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Welcome, Bill. charlatan ... i.e. someone who jumps onto a bench Someone who jumps up on a chair?

Jackie #202075 08/25/11 08:51 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
You might need a chair for this procedure...

When searching Mountebank I came across this Italian masterpiece, for sale at Christies. The oil painting's estimated value is £15,000 - £20,000 ($23,000 - $30,000)Size 33¾ x 24½ in. (85.5 x 62 cm.)

A Mountebank Dentist

It has an inscription 'Il mondo è tondo... Chi non fa navigar va al fondo' in the upper left. (I have yet to find translation for it).

Candy #202088 08/25/11 02:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
It has an inscription 'Il mondo è tondo... Chi non fa navigar va al fondo' in the upper left. (I have yet to find translation for it).

It's a proverb, and like most of those, it's literal translation might not be the best: "The world is round, and s/he who cannot navigate it go off the edge."


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
Jackie #202090 08/25/11 03:12 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 2
Originally Posted By: Jackie
Welcome, Bill. charlatan ... i.e. someone who jumps onto a bench Someone who jumps up on a chair?



or overcooks meat on a grill


----please, draw me a sheep----
Bill Palmer #202100 08/26/11 12:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Heh--I think your interpretation is about as likely as mine, Luke!

zmjezhd #202106 08/26/11 10:45 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,706
Originally Posted By: zmjezhd
It has an inscription 'Il mondo è tondo... Chi non fa navigar va al fondo' in the upper left. (I have yet to find translation for it).

It's a proverb, and like most of those, it's literal translation might not be the best: "The world is round, and s/he who cannot navigate it go off the edge."


Interesting......thanks for posting that Zmmy smile

Candy #202108 08/26/11 01:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
thanks for posting that

You're welcome, Candy. BTW, while perusing the entry on navigare in an Italian dictionary, I discovered that it is the verb used for 'to surf (the Internet, Web)' these days.


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
Jackie #202110 08/26/11 03:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 2
Originally Posted By: Jackie
Heh--I think your interpretation is about as likely as mine, Luke!


At least when I cook, which I don't.


----please, draw me a sheep----
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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