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Explode

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:14 pm
by scw1217
What's more interesting to me about this word than the definition itself is it's origin and the tie to theatrics. I notice the original meaning is listed as obsolete.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/explode
explode
1530s, from L. explodere "drive out or off by clapping," originally theatrical, "to drive an actor off the stage by making noise," hence "drive out, reject" (a sense surviving in an exploded theory), from ex- "out" + plaudere "to clap, applaud," of uncertain origin. English used it to mean "drive out
with violence and sudden noise" (1650s), later, "go off with a loud noise" (Amer.Eng. 1790); sense of "to burst with destructive force" is first recorded 1882; of population, 1959. Related: Exploded; exploding.
explode
verb (used without object)
1. to expand with force and noise because of rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine (opposed to implode).
2. to burst, fly into pieces, or break up violently with a loud report, as a boiler from excessive pressure of steam.
3. to burst forth violently or emotionally, especially with noise, laughter, violent speech, etc.: He exploded with rage when contradicted.
4. Phonetics . (of plosives) to terminate the occlusive phase with a plosion. Compare implode (def. 2) .
5. Golf . to play an explosion shot on a golf ball.

verb (used with object)
6. to cause (gunpowder, a boiler, etc.) to explode.
7. to cause to be rejected; destroy the repute of; discredit or disprove: to explode a theory.
8. Phonetics . to end with plosion.
9. Golf . to play an explosion shot on (a golf ball).
10. Obsolete . to drive (a player, play, etc.) from the stage by loud expressions of disapprobation.

Re: Explode

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:15 pm
by Slava
While I have come across the etymology previously, I do hope there's a golfer out there who can explain the shot usage to me.

Re: Explode

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:52 pm
by Perry Lassiter
I think in golf it refrs to the type of shot from a sand trap or heavy rough where the golfer strongly forces the ball up and out in a spray of sand or grass. I think.

Re: Explode

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:03 pm
by Philip Hudson
His brain was so loaded,
It nearly exploded.
The poor girl did shake with alarm.

Where does this immortal verse come from?

Re: Explode

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:55 pm
by Slava
His brain was so loaded,
It nearly exploded.
The poor girl did shake with alarm.

Where does this immortal verse come from?
I have no idea where you got it from, but here's a link.

"The Band Played On"
Words by John F. Palmer
Music by Charles B. Ward
"Dedicated to the New York Sunday World"

Re: Explode

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:45 am
by scw1217
Having a weird moment. My uncle's name is Phillip Hudson.

Re: Explode

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:15 pm
by Philip Hudson
scw1217: I have many nephews and nieces. I am occasionally a "monkey's uncle". Perhaps I am your uncle too. Write me a private message and we will see.

Slava: You have got "Casey Wood waltzed..." which is what I was quoting. If you don’t know the song, Youtube it. It will “bless your peapickin’ heart.” As with literally (no, I don't mean figuratively) a 1000 other songs, I learned it at my mother’s knees.

Re: Explode

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:55 pm
by Philip Hudson
Slava: I looked up your reference to "The Band Played On". Some of the words are wrong. The man was named Casey Wood, and he "married the girl". Listen to this for the real skinny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23oePEVM1nE
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch
v=7mVOQ9bPWuU&feature=related