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barmecide n., an insincere benefactor; one who holds out illusory offers, or who promised , but does not deliver.
the original Barmecide is to be found in one of the tales of the arabian nights, and his name has become synonymous with deceit, illusion, hypocricy, and at the proffering of bounty, only to with hold the bounty until the proffer's terms are met.
who knew there was this wonderful word to define so foul a character? I mean, i usually use the analogy of the school yard bully, who happens to own a baseball, and hold the whole team hostage to playing by his rules, or he takes away his ball..
we have all come across such characters, the kind who spoil things for everyone, unless they have everything their own way, and who offerings of help and kindness, are so insincere as to be transparent.
well, in the Arabian nights, he got his come uppance! the Caliph had him and his family imprisoned and exectuted them.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Here is a URL to text of Arabian Nights tales, including the one about the Barmecide: http://arab2.com/arabian-nights/an24.htm
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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barmecide n., : a murder committed in a barroom.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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A word I learned early from these stories was "sesame". "Open, sesame!" the magic words that opened the door to the treasure. I still remember that phrase every time I eat a roll with sesame seeds.
In anatomy, there are very small bones that form where tendons cross joints, as in the fingers, to keep joint in alignment when flexed. They are called sesamoids, because they are so small. The kneecaps are large ones.
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Carpal Tunnel
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wwh,
So now we can think Open, sesamoid! when we see something covered with sesame seeds!
Bent knee regards,
WW
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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In reply to:
barmecide n., : a murder committed in a barroom.
Or maybe the murder of the barmaid?
Parmecide the killing of certain cheeses.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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And who among us would not like to own a magic lamp that when rubbed emitted a genie, who would give us whatever we asked for?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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And who among us would not like to own a Magic Carpet?
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
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and would we know what to ask for? about 5 years ago, there was a horror flick about a genie-- who gave everyone what they asked for... sort of. like the Saki story about the monkeys paw, having our wished granted is not always the best thing. at what price?
the genies of the arabic stories where not benign fairy godmothers.. they were evil spirits.. who harm humans.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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And I wonder how many children have had nightmares about the roc, a bird of prey so huge it could fly off with a large animal.
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