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OP O.Henry uses the word in an unusual way. I wondered what
the etymology might be. The definition given by AHD doesn't jibe with the definition, which in one word is "immature"
But the etymology is from a word meaning "bald". Well, absence of testosterone may delay scalp hair loss. The chippy chippy chop on a big black block between the thighs
is a high price to pay for a head of hair. I have never seen, and do not expect ever to see a bald callow youth.
"The callow grass between the walks was the color of verdigris, a poisonous green, reminiscent of the horde of derelict humans that had breathed upon the soil during the summer and autumn."
callow
SYLLABICATION: cal·low
PRONUNCIATION: kl
ADJECTIVE: Lacking adult maturity or experience; immature: a callow young man.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English calwe, bald, from Old English calu.
OTHER FORMS: callow·ness —NOUN
In extreme youth, as in extreme age, baldness prevails.
OP Dear Faldage: I've seen newborns with more hair than I've
got now. I never saw a bald one.
In reply to:I have never seen, and do not expect ever to see a bald callow youth.
I beg to differ. I've always thought of callow as describing the personality associated with youth rather than physical chaaracteristics, so a bald callow youth is quite possible.
Bingley
Bingley
Try to remember that time in September when _________ were ___________ and ____________ were callow.
Fill in the blanks. My memory is refusing to do so.
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thefantasticks/trytoremember.htm
Music: Harvey Schmidt
Lyrics: Tom Jones
Book: Tom Jones
Premiere: Tuesday, May 3, 1960
Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.
formerly known as etaoin...
Thanks, et'. That song has my favorite use of 'callow,' even though I couldn't remember my favorite!
you're welcome.
though I can't quite picture a billowing ember...
formerly known as etaoin...
>billowing ember
I did a quick google on this phrase, and found only one hit for "billowing ember". I guess the author was thinking about fiery-red hair:
-----------------------------------
He lifted another lock of hair form Diana's face, a wonder at her perfect beauty even as she slept. He loved her doe-like eyes, he resisted kissing them. He knew she didn't consider herself very beautiful. Simply pretty. He'd change that. Did she not know that many men, knew she was breath-taking? Her eyes, so expressive, her billowing ember locks, her perfect athletic body, the angle of her nose, even the faint freckles he found enduring.
------------------------------
If you want more, see http://jsd119.tripod.com/3rdseas/3rd_r/dream/dream29.html
that sounds like a typo to me. wouldn't it read better as billowing amber locks?
formerly known as etaoin...
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