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More information about this seller Contact this seller 7. Playing cards have fascinating and less than clear histories and meanings in themselves, for which Brewer's provides an interesting and in my view largely reliable explanation: In Spain's early medieval playing cards , spades were columbines a plant whose flower resembles five clustered bird-like symbols, usually associated with doves or pigeons - the pointed spade shape resembles a single petal , later changing by s to swords espados in Spanish - meaning sword - not spade in case you are wondering ; clubs were rabbits later changing to cudgels bastos in Spanish, meaning a stick-like club ; diamonds were pinks relating to the flowers, so called because of their notched petal edges, as if cut with pinking shears - associated with the sharpness of the diamond shape - the same root that gave us punch and pungent and puncture later changing to dineros square money pieces ; and hearts were roses later to be chalices cups. Did you ever play that, where you pick an obscure word, and the other players choose from among the two or three fake definitions you make up along with the real one? Former Library book. When you get your clothes all grass-stained from hooking up in the fields. But it's just right for me, because I like words. More information about this seller Contact this seller See also stereotype. Average rating 3. It's another example of the tendency for language to become abbreviated for more efficient and stylised communications. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. See also 'pipped at the post' the black ball was called a pip - after the pip of a fruit, in turn from earlier similar words which meant the fruit itself, eg pippin, and the Greek, pepe for melon - so pipped became another way or saying blackballed or defeated. About Me Zeno I teach math at a large community college in northern California. Frustratingly however, official reference books state that the black market term was first recorded very much later, around The origin of that saying is not proven but widely believed to originate from the Jewish 'hazloche un broche' which means 'luck and blessing', and itself derives from the Hebrew 'hazlacha we bracha', with the same meaning. Seller Rating:. I have also worked as a legislative aide, a journalist, and a state civil servant. It's a very old word: Reafian meaning rob appears in Beowulf Two weeks ago , we updated you on the state of the puzzle industry as it pertains to crossword tournaments. Puzzle 4: Water Picks by Amanda Rafkin. The author did a great job of finding interesting words and then making a dictionary format for them. After the Great War, dispersion became the main means of fighing, with much looser units linking side to side to protect each others flanks, which became the WWII paradigm. The symbol has provided font designers more scope for artistic impression than any other character, and ironically while it evolved from hand-written script, few people use it in modern hand- writing, which means that most of us have difficulty in reproducing a good-looking ampersand by hand without having practised first. During the early s, when duty per pack was an incredible two shillings and sixpence half-a-crown - equivalent to one eigth of a pound - see the money expressions and history page , the the card makers were not permitted to make the Ace of Spades cards - instead they were printed by the tax office stamp-makers. In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy, and keep puzzling! This would naturally have extended as a metaphor to the notion favoured by Brewer of a conjuror preparing a trick with hands above the 'board' table , rather than below it, where the trickery could be concealed, 'under-hand' see also underhand. Some words could use a more detailed or clearer definition: Special-bastard : A child born of parents before marriage, the parties afterwards intermarrying. There are very few words which can be spelled in so many different ways, and it's oddly appropriate that any of the longer variants will inevitably be the very first entry in any dictionary. More information about this seller Contact this seller 4. Chinese fire drill - chaotic situation, especially one involving a group's incompetence in carrying out instructions or a plan more recently the term also describes a student prank where a car-full of students stops at red traffic lights, all occupants leap out, run around the car, return to their seats and drive off as the lights turn green - Usage of this wonderful expression in either situation now seems confined to USA; although it is supposed to have UK origins, and various sources state it being in use on both sides of the Atlantic after World War 1. Spooning : Spooning, in rowing, is dipping the oars so little in the water as merely to skim the surface. Didn't enjoy. Italians instead use the expression 'In bocca al lupo', which literally means 'Into the wolf's mouth' Spoops : At Harvard College, a weak, silly fellow, or one who is disliked on account of his foolish actions is called spoops, or spoopsy. Cliches and expressions give us many wonderful figures of speech and words in the English language, as they evolve via use and mis-use alike. The giver an individual or a group is in a position of dominance or authority, and the recipient of the bone is seeking help, approval, agreement, or some other positive response. Brewer tells of the tradition in USA slavery states when slaves or free descendents would walk in a procession in pairs around a cake at a social gathering or party, the most graceful pair being awarded the cake as a prize. Escape the Present with These 24 Historical Romances. What ended the practice was the invention of magazine-fed weapons and especially machine guns, which meant that an opposing line could be rapidly killed. Many English southerners, for example, do not have a very keen appreciation for the geographical and cultural differences between Birmingham and Coventry, or Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Like the author, I had never thought about life pre-alarm clocks before reading this entry. See also the derivation of the racial term 'Gringo', which has similar origins. The Word Museum: The Most Remarkable English Words Ever Forgotten Writer

At the time of originally writing this entry April Google's count for Argh has now trebled from 3 million in to 9. Rowdy aristocrats were called 'Bloods' after the term for a thoroughbred horse, a 'blood-horse' as in today's 'bloodstock' term, meaning thoroughbred horses. As for the 'court' cards, so called because of their heraldic devices, debate continues as to the real identity of the characters and the extent to which French characters are reflected in English cards. Constructing an unfamiliar puzzle for the first time can be overwhelming, and this book can help get you going. The 'black Irish' expression will no doubt continue to be open to widely varying interpretations and folklore. No good either would have been any creatures not possessing a suitably impressive and symbolic tail, which interestingly would effectively have ruled out virtually all the major animal images like cow, elephant, pig, bear, dog, rabbit, lion, tiger, and most of the B-list like rhino, giraffe, deer, not to mention C-listers like hamster, badger, tortoise, all birds, all fish and all insects. This is not to say of course that the expression dates back to that age, although it is interesting to note that the custom on which the saying is based in the US is probably very ancient indeed. The Canadian origins are said by Partridge to allude to a type of tin of worms typically purchased by week-end fishermen. I wonder if he bru Jeoparty-trot. I wish the author would have gone more into depth about what these words and their exclusion from the present day vernacular say about society. This mocks the false flattery and acknowledges that that stage can be perilous to someone with their head in the clouds. Whenever I need food-related clues or theme entries, this is my first stop. It's a very old word: Reafian meaning rob appears in Beowulf Thanks Ben for suggesting the specific biblical quote. Bear in mind that a wind is described according to where it comes from not where it's going to. I see you had a question on 'Break a leg,' and as a theatre person This proverb was applied to speculators in the South Sea Bubble scheme, c. I try to catch it whenever I can, since it appeals to my nerdy side. These and other cognates similar words from the same root can be traced back to very ancient Indo-European roots, all originating from a seminal meaning of rob. Brass is also an old 19thC word for a prostitute. There is it seems no stopping this one.. In the 19th century the term beak also referred to a sherif's officer English or a policeman, and later beak was adopted as slang also by schoolchildren for a schoolmaster. If you need a starter guide or just a handy resource to remind you of the essentials for any puzzle you might be rusty on, Puzzlecraft is a self- contained masterclass in puzzle creation. The ultimate origins can be seen in the early development of European and Asian languages, many of which had similar words meaning babble or stammer, based on the repetitive 'ba' sound naturally heard or used to represent the audible effect or impression of a stammerer or a fool. A math teacher looks at education, politics, religion, culture, and of course math teaching and learning. Whatever, the idea of 'bringing home' implicity suggests household support, and the metaphor of bacon as staple sustenance is not only supported by historical fact, but also found in other expressions of olden times. Didn't enjoy. So while we can be fairly sure that the card-playing terminology 'pass the buck' is the source of the modern saying, we cannot be certain of what exactly the buck was. Story first; glossary second: As she plies her trade as a self-proclaimed snoutfair and prunk dispenser of scaum , we can imagine she cut her teeth as a flarting nazzle. About Me Zeno I teach math at a large community college in northern California. In the US bandbox is old slang late s, through to the early s for a country workhouse or local prison, which, according to Cassells also referred later ss to a prison from which escape is easy. Comments Atom. I am also informed thanks C Parker of perhaps another explanation for the 'Mediterranean' appearance darker skin and hair colouring notably of some Irish people and giving rise to the Black Irish term, namely the spread of refugee Spanish Moors across Europe, including into Ireland, in the 8th, 9th and 17th centuries. This book is not perfect. Labels: Ann Coulter , language. The Word Museum: The Most Remarkable English Words Ever Forgotten Reviews

Cumulonimbus is not the highest cloud as some explanations suggest; the metaphor more likely caught on because of superstitious and spiritual associations with the number nine as with cloud seven , the dramatic appearance and apparent great height of cumulonimbus clouds, and that for a time cloud nine was the highest on the scale, if not in the sky. Anyone who has spent time on stage in the theater [US spelling] knows how jealous other players can be of someone whom the audience is rapt with. If you have early recollections of use when and when or suggestions of precise origins or authors of any of the above expressions please let me know , and I'll publish the findings on this page in the main listing. Not many people had such skills. The words are the same now but they have different origins. Later research apparently suggests the broken leg was suffered later in his escape, but the story became firmly embedded in public and thesbian memory, and its clear connections with the expression are almost irresistible, especially given that Booth was considered to have been daringly lucky in initially escaping from the theatre. Showing Incidentally, the expression 'He's swinging the lead ' comes from days before sonar was used to detect under keel depth. Rather than quote the entire book, I've selected a word for each letter of the alphabet. This would have left a salty nasty-tasting traces of gun powder in the soldier's mouth. Puzzle 3 offered a boost in difficulty from the previous two puzzles, though I suspect cryptic solvers might have cottoned onto the theme faster than other puzzlers. Repetition of 'G's and 'H's is far less prevalent. Her puzzles are crisp, interesting, and Stanley is so desperate not to miss them that he solves puzzles obsessively to ensure he sees her next creation. This metaphor may certainly have helped to reinforce the expression, but is unlike to have been the origin. Whether it will bear any similarity to the wonderful Crossword Tournament From Your Couch event back in March, we cannot say. Original Title. When you get your clothes all grass-stained from hooking up in the fields. Most people will know that bugger is an old word - it's actually as old as the 12th century in English - and that it refers to anal intercourse. Given so much association between bacon and common people's basic dietary needs it is sensible to question any source which states that 'bring home the bacon' appeared no sooner than the 20th century, by which time ordinary people had better wider choice of other sorts of other meat, so that then the metaphor would have been far less meaningful. Post to Cancel. And that's my summation of Gloucester. A short book with lots of very interesting old English words. This crucial error was believed to have been committed by Desiderius Erasmus Dutch humanist, , when translating work by Plutarch. A fun book, perfect for browsing. Unfortunately, yesterday Will Shortz confirmed through the NY Times Wordplay social media platforms that the ACPT has been scrapped for the year: Over the past few months we kept modifying our plans for the event, as the pandemic persisted, but now it has become clear that it cannot be held this year at all. See also 'pig in a poke'. Hatchet is a very old word, meaning axe, and probaby derived from Old German happa for scythe or sickle. If anyone can offer any more about Break a Leg please let me know. Both senses seem to have developed during the 19th century. The expression 'Chinese fire drill' supposedly derives from a true naval incident in the early s involving a British ship, with Chinese crew: instructions were given by the British officers to practice a fire drill where crew members on the starboard side had to draw up water, run with it to engine room, douse the 'fire', at which other crew members to prevent flooding would pump out the spent water, carry it away and throw it over the port side. Like the author, I had never thought about life pre-alarm clocks before reading this entry. Additionally this expression might have been reinforced ack G Taylor by the maritime use of the 'cat 'o' nine tails' a type of whip which was kept in a velvet bag on board ship and only brought out to punish someone. Testimonials Godamn this is a good blog. A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Gold does not dissolve in nitric acid, whereas less costly silver and base metals do. When the opposing lines clashed, there would be a zone between them where fighting took place. I'm fairly sure I first heard it in the summer, outdoors, in Anchorage, Alaska - which would put it pre-Sept Charisma, which probably grew from charismatic, which grew from charismata, had largely shaken its religious associations by the mid s, and evolved its non-religious meaning of personal magnetism by the s.

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Cassells says late s and possible US origins. I had always heard of break a leg as in 'bend a knee,' apparently a military term. Heaven knows why though, and not even Partridge can suggest any logic for that one. On the battlefield the forces would open up to a broad front, with scouts forward to locate the other side, the main lines, and one or several reserves to the rear. Jan 21, Douglas Wilson rated it really liked it Shelves: wordsmithing. If you have more information on this matter it is a can of worms if ever I saw one then I would be delighted to receive it. See also the derivation of the racial term 'Gringo', which has similar origins. Subscribe To Posts Atom. Seller Inventory Q A catchphrase can get into the public vernacular very rapidly - in a very similar vein, I've heard people referring to their friends as a 'Nancy Boy Potter', a name taken directly from the schoolmaster sketch in Rowan Atkinson's mids one-man show A commonly ignored reference source for many words and expressions origins - especially for common cliches that are not listed in slang and expressions dictionaries - is simply to use an ordinary decent English dictionary Oxford English Dictionary or Websters, etc , which will provide origins for most words and many related phrases see the 'strong relief' example below. The Word Museum is a collection of words that have gone into disuse. Lawrence is considered by some to be a master in his field, one whose reputation is bolstered by the attention of an ambitious assistant, but also dogged by accusations of stealing puzzles by former colleagues. The gannet-like seabird, the booby, is taken from Spanish word for the bird, bobo, which came into English around As a result I noticed that there was a heavy amount of words that described women mostly in the negative. In the case of adulation there may also a suggestion of toadiness or sycophancy creepy servitude. Most dramatically, the broken leg suffered by assassin John Wilkes Booth. What ended the practice was the invention of magazine-fed weapons and especially machine guns, which meant that an opposing line could be rapidly killed. Not surprisingly all of these characters lived at the same time, the early s, which logically indicates when playing cards were first popularly established in the form we would recognise today, although obviously the King characters, with the exception of possible confusion between Charlemagne and Charles VII of France, pre-date the period concerned. This would naturally have extended as a metaphor to the notion favoured by Brewer of a conjuror preparing a trick with hands above the 'board' table , rather than below it, where the trickery could be concealed, 'under-hand' see also underhand. Since there would be differences in ability and local strength, the lines would often bend and separate. Interestingly according to Cassells, break a leg also means 'to be arrested' in US slang first recorded from , and 'to hurry' from , which again seems to fit with the JW Booth story. In that sense the meaning was to save or prevent a loss.

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