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May 15, 2026
This week’s themeWhose what? This week’s words cat's meow patriarch's age rake's progress pig's whisper parson's week
The Skating Minister, 1790s
Art: Henry Raeburn Next week’s theme Toponyms Wordsmith Games
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Gargparson’s week
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
noun: A period of 13 days, especially as a holiday.
ETYMOLOGY:
From parson (a clergyperson), from persona (person) + week, from Old
English wice (week). Earliest documented use: 1790.
NOTES:
A parson has other duties, of course, but the principal day on duty
is Sun. If excused for one Sun, a parson could be away for 13 days, from
the Mon before through the Sat after it. In some instances, parson’s week has also been used for a period of six days, from Mon to Sat, with no Sun off. USAGE:
“Two years ago, we left home for a parson’s week, during which time
the house, pussy included, was in the charge of servants.” W. Gordon Stables; Cats: Their Points and Characteristics; Dean & Son; 1876. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
When you re-read a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did
before; you see more in yourself than there was before. -Clifton Fadiman,
editor and critic (15 May 1904-1999)
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