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 4 1 2 3 4
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
T
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
T
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
the worthless word for the day is: algorism

Quote:

[ad. mL. > Arab. al-Khuwarizmi (Arab mathematician)]
the Arabic, or decimal system of numeration;
hence, arithmetic

(to be confused with, ultimately the source of, algorithm)

"Al-Kuwarizmi's Algebra is a collection of rules for the
solution of linear and quadratic equations, elementary
geometric propositions and more mundane inheritance
problems involving the distribution of money. The word
"algorism" is derived from Al-Kuwarizmi's name."
- A. T. Haft et al., The Key to the Name of the Rose

"..a denial that at best is swamped by the uselessness
of the effort, the ninny teaching algorisms in some hazy
university to grubby grinds or colonels' daughters."
- Julio Cortazar, Hopscotch




My dear tsuwn, you must stay out of the attic reading all those tomes of definitions past. Your word of today is yet alive and has great currency in certain quarters, as defined...

algorism: the delusional idea that one has done something fantastic. As in..."I invented the internet". -Al Gore

Not to be confused with the term "alegorecal" which means "making up fantistic stories about which four-legged animal won the last presidental election".

Good words.

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Geez, Milo. You think Ron Obvious didn't consider that? (you're getting to be a pain in the a$$ again, btw)

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
T
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
T
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
Quote:

Geez, Milo. You think Ron Obvious didn't consider that? (you're getting to be a pain in the a$$ again, btw)




Hmm. Direct insults are not allowed on this board (I thought).
Hmm. Maybe they are if they are from you. Hmm.

Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
>Geez, Milo. You think Ron Obvious didn't consider that?

and, predictably, I received some email; e.g.
What? no "Al Gore-ism" jokes? I'm disappointed.

maybe I should invite that young lady to come here and be appointed.

Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
So is that a hobson-jobson?


TEd
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Not to be confused with the term "alegorecal" which means "making up fantistic stories about which four-legged animal won the last presidental election".




Uh, that was two "elections" ago.

(just to keep the history straight...I'm a member of the local Civil War Roundtable, we're all sticklers for historical accuracy, you know...)

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
T
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
T
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
Quote:




Uh, that was two "elections" ago.

(just to keep the history straight...I'm a member of the local Civil War Roundtable, we're all sticklers for historical accuracy, you know...)




So right you really are, you good looking correcting devil.
It was indeed that the last TWO presidental elections were won by our most beloved President Bush.

What a guy.

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
newbie
Offline
newbie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
lol.
He was just trying to make a joke...


[insert signature here]
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Quote:

Quote:




Uh, that was two "elections" ago.

(just to keep the history straight...I'm a member of the local Civil War Roundtable, we're all sticklers for historical accuracy, you know...)




So right you really are, you good looking correcting devil.
It was indeed that the last TWO presidental elections were won by our most beloved President Bush.

What a guy.




There's a most beloved president Bush?

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 32
A
newbie
Offline
newbie
A
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 32
We should nomiate the president for the Star of the "Burning Bush" party.


~Ari I'm not that smart, but I might be right.
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,330
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 (), 1,577 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,541
LukeJavan8 9,916
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