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 3 of 3 1 2 3
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
"Forgive me, but if I'm part of a group whose name keeps translating in my head as something like "The Order of Mutant Underwear," ...writes Hyla...

The name just has a ring, somehow...I think it'll catch on--honestly!

Bottom's regards,
WordWear


#66545 04/24/02 04:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
The Order of Mutant Underwear


whose motto will be.... (drumroll)....

Honi soit qui mal y pense


#66546 04/24/02 05:40 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
for no discernible reason (have I mentioned that I mostly dislike anagrams?), here is a site that lists 100 anagrams for Honi soit qui mal y pense

http://www-oss.fnal.gov/~baisley/honisoit.html

(I do like #82: Quit Minneapolis? Oh, yes!)

btw, back several years ago, when Jesse S. ran the word-of-the-day at Random House, he gave this explanation for Honi soit qui mal y pense:

It's French for 'shamed be the person who thinks evil of it'. Supposedly, in the
fourteenth century, Edward III was dancing with the Countess of Salisbury, and her
garter fell off. In response to the snickers of those watching, Edward said "Honi soit
qui mal y pense," and tied the garter around his own leg. The phrase then became the
motto of the order of the garter, which Edward founded.



#66547 04/24/02 06:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
but I digress. in the spirit of mutatis mutandis, and with mutability meaning a disposition to change, how about mutandibility meaning a need for change?

#66548 04/24/02 08:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
B
old hand
Offline
old hand
B
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
how about mutandibility meaning a need for change?

I'm sorry, tsuwm, but I can only see that as meaning "able to wear underpants". It's very odd how when learned at a young age, such meanings will be so ingrained!

Edit: that will be the last underwear comment from me, I promise.

#66549 04/24/02 09:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
W
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
how about mutandibility meaning a need for change?Very well done, Sir tsuwm!

I'm sorry, tsuwm, but I can only see that as meaning "able to wear underpants". It's very odd how when learned at a young age, such meanings will be so ingrained!

Mutandibility, so fresh and newly arisen in the language on this the 24th day of April in the year 2002, already has two distinct meanings! How many times in the history of language has that occurred?

And our motto, AnnaS., built upon a garter moved from woman to man, seems as flexible as our Order itself!

Bent knee regards,
Dame DubDub



Page 3 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
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