www.alphadictionary.com

This quote is the reason for my query:

“Novels so often provide an anodyne and not an antidote, glide one into torpid slumbers instead of rousing one with a burning brand.” ~Virginia Woolf, English author, essayist, publisher, and writer of short stories, (1882-1941)~

tor·pid (tôrpd)
adj.
1. Deprived of the power of motion or feeling; benumbed.
2. Dormant; hibernating.
3. Lethargic; apathetic

Then I had one last question: Does this word have anything to do with the word torpedo, and if so, how can one so slow, torpid, become one so fast, torpedo?

Thanks,
Sardith

Good eye! They both come from the same root with etymology including a reference to the electric ray fish which stings and thus renders torpid. Torpedo first used in RRs to refer to a charge placed on the tracks to alert trains to an approaching problem. I would guess the sting of the underwater ray affected its use as the underwater bomb along with the rigidity of the cigar shaped tube.

Why thank you.
I have been told that my eyes are one of my best features.

I know. I couldn't resist...ugh.

I do believe this means we need more emoticons. Where do we go to find a flirty, winky smile?

I also wouldn't minded having a smiling evil face for one of my recent posts.

I also wouldn't minded having a smiling evil face for one of my recent posts.

You mean like this?

(Twisted Evil emoticon)

Audiendus,

Can you find an emoticon for the emotional outburst of frustration most commonly expressed by the word: 'Arghh'!

That's the one I wish was available many times.

Sardith :^/

Can you find an emoticon for the emotional outburst of frustration most commonly expressed by the word: 'Arghh'!

Well, I suppose you could use the 'Mad' emoticon and do something like this:

<<< >>>

I also wouldn't minded having a smiling evil face for one of my recent posts.

You mean like this?

(Twisted Evil emoticon)

I saw that one, but it's not smiling enough.

Meanwhile, Sardith of Fresno, I met a couple visiting from Bakersfield today, and for a couple of years we lived between the two in Tulare, while I worked out of Visalia. Small world, getting smaller. We may all need to learn a universal language. Catholic church was smart getting all priest to speak Latin.

Thanks, Audiendus, but I'm probably asking for the moon, since my 'Arghh' is not so much an angry frustration, but one where I might follow up the 'Arghh', with a sigh and a, "Typical," if that sounds familiar to anyone else.

Perry,
Yes, very small world! Hope you enjoyed your visit.

Sardith