Search found 2580 matches

by Stargzer
Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:55 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: PRONK
Replies: 19
Views: 27628

A right-click on Luke's phantom avatar and a click on "Properties" shows: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bthbm8F_5MY/S3IxLYTK_5I/AAAAAAAAA50/yBZjrCn9zws/Luke-A-Lele-New.jpg Which Google comes back with a sort of "WTF?" screen. Luke, try clicking on "Profile" at the top of the sc...
by Stargzer
Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:16 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: sockdolager
Replies: 5
Views: 9595

There's some American History associated with this word. sockdolager 1830, "a decisive blow," fanciful formation from sock (v.) "hit hard;" also said to be a variant of doxology , on a notion of "finality." The meaning "something exceptional" is attested from ...
by Stargzer
Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:12 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: PRONK
Replies: 19
Views: 27628

To stot, to leap straight in the air with the back arched, bringing all four legs off the ground. Gazelles and springboks are most widely known for this behavior, but horses, sheep, and goats (especially playful kids) do it, too. 2. To prance, show off, strut. It reminds me of Pepé Le Pew, the cart...
by Stargzer
Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:45 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: CASINO
Replies: 2
Views: 5479

Monte Cassino is apparently not related to this casino, its name coming instead from the ancient name for the area near the abbey, Casinum.

And speaking of the Battle of Monte Cassino ... I wonder if Vojtek was born a Shia? He did help storm a Bendictine abbey, after all. :wink:
by Stargzer
Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:28 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: SOMNILOQUY
Replies: 27
Views: 56917

Sometimes booze was the only way to survive, I believe. ... No, she used to MAIL it to him which is illegal! He kept telling her to stop before he got in trouble. He got called in one day when they discovered a bottle at the base post office. "You have a girl that mails you booze?" "...
by Stargzer
Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:30 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: SEED
Replies: 2
Views: 5180

Another golden oldie from aught 6.

I'd like to renew my question from that post here. Does the English name Simon also come from this root?
Apparently not:
Simon is a common name, from Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן Šimʻôn, meaning "He (God) has heard."
by Stargzer
Sun Mar 20, 2011 12:57 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: DICKER
Replies: 3
Views: 6508

... from a time when our ancestors counted on their fingers. The Maya, being barefoot in a warmer climate, based their counting system on 20, using fingers and toes, as did others elsewhere. The French use 20 in the names for their numbers from 70 through 99, and other European languages do somethi...
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:59 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: SHAMBOLIC
Replies: 3
Views: 6491

Who was the comedian who said, "Don't use shampoo, use the real thing!"?
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:57 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Decimate
Replies: 5
Views: 8929

For those who want to know how it comes from decem : dick·er (dĭk ' ər) intr.v. dick·ered, dick·er·ing, dick·ers To bargain; barter. NOUN: The act or process of bargaining. ETYMOLOGY: Probably from dicker , a quantity of ten, ten hides, from Middle English diker , perhaps from Old English *dicor , f...
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:39 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: SOMNILOQUY
Replies: 27
Views: 56917

Thanks. I read Guadalcanal Diary in elementary school, as well as other works about the Pacific war. The Japanese were brutal in those days, and anyone who doesn't believe that need only read about the Rape of Nanking, the Bataan Death March, the treatment of the survivors or Wake Island, and any of...
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:19 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: WILLY-NILLY
Replies: 6
Views: 20481

... (the increased rate of thyroid cancer the only health effect after Chernobyl and I am too old to take potassium iodide).... Nonetheless, thank you for your thoughts and concern. ... It's good to hear that you're OK. I don't have to worry about thyroid cancer; they took my thyroid out almost a y...
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:50 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: SOMNILOQUY
Replies: 27
Views: 56917

My father, God rest his soul, was a US Marine. He never talked in his sleep -- he swore!
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:44 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: WILLY-NILLY
Replies: 6
Views: 20481

From one of my favorite poems, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

XXIX
Into this Universe, and Why not knowing
Nor Whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing;
And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
I know not Whither, willy-nilly blowing.
by Stargzer
Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:36 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: DISTURB
Replies: 6
Views: 10425

Speaking of Disturbing Kilts ...

A sign I've seen before, which should probably spend a lot of time on my cubicle at work: Please do not disturb. I'm disturbed enough already. About 12 or so years ago, at the Canadian pavillion at Disney World, I saw a Canadian rock band called "Off Kilter." They all wore kilts and workbo...
by Stargzer
Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:14 pm
Forum: Etymology
Topic: Origin of the word "Wow"
Replies: 11
Views: 62104

From the Online Etimology Dictionary: wow 1510s, Scottish interjection, a natural expression of amazement. The verb meaning "overwhelm with delight or amazement" is first recorded 1924, Amer.Eng. slang. Used as a noun meaning "unqualified success" since 1920. "This old inter...

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