from Mirriam-Webster Main Entry: dys·phe·mism Pronunciation Guide Pronunciation: disfmizm Function: noun Inflected Form(s): -s Etymology: dys- + -phemism (as in euphemism) : substitution of a disagreeable, offensive, or disparaging word or expression for an agreeable or inoffensive one (as of axle g...

World War II was another story altogether. French troops in North Africa inflicted major causualties on British and American troops before deciding "Oops! Perhaps we should switch sides!" Some French generals refused to serve alongside former Vichy generals. Can't say as I blame them. (Se...

For some interesting reading as to why the French voted "no" on the Constitution, check out the World Forum.

William

To which I boldly reply

THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER!!!

Interesting Post, Henri, AS one cursed with a significant genetic base in France (my great grandmother was an American-born French woman) I have long been interested in French influences in America and am familiar with France's absolutely essential assistance in the Colonial victory over the English...

So, William, are you now calcitrant? or calcified? Regrettably I cannot remember whether it is regarded as proper to remove the re from recalcitrant to form the word calcitrant, which if you recall from the ariticle, is a bound root. At least I think that's what it says. I will have to reread the a...

Main Entry: 1re·cal·ci·trant Pronunciation Guide Pronunciation: -nt Function: adjective Etymology: Late Latin recalcitrant-, recalcitrans, from present participle of recalcitrare to be stubbornly disobedient, from Latin, to kick back, from re- + calcitrare to kick, from calc-, calx heel -- more at ...

Great post, gailr! Horses probably don't attend human foot races because, why would they waste their time watching animals who are so much slower than horses race against each other. The following story recounts an amusing incident from the history of the west that exemplifies what happens when a ma...

This word does not appear in Merriam-Webster's on line Unabridged Dictionary. I found it in the May issue of Discover magazine in an article about Doctor Temple Grandin, an expert in animal behavior. Here is a qoute from the article Grandin uses an awkward but powerful word to describe the perceptua...

WS, the phrase "getting into hot water" means getting in to some kind of trouble. At least that is the way it has been used in my experience. I don't hear it much any more. Another phrase that was once common in this part of the English speaking world that is similar in meaning to "ge...

Henri, you have managed to find something in the NYT that I like. That article is excellent. My personal definition of heroism is an act or acts of self-sacrifice to prevent the death or serious injury (it does not necessarily have to be physical injury) of someone innocent. I believe the two heroes...

Thanks for the links, Tim

William

Diverticuli? Shouldn't it be diverticula? I haven't checked any English dictionary, though, I'm just using my Latin. Yes! It should! I wondered about that. It has been many, many years since I studied Latin (1963) and then it was only for one semester, I didn't do all that well. So I don't know all...

A diverticulum in George's large intestine gradually filled up with bran from the popcorn. On January 1, 1997 the diverticulum ruptured and almost killed George. The surgeon who handled his case set him up with a colostomy arrangement for the six months it would take to heal from the surgery and &qu...

From Merriam Webster online Main Entry: pop·corn Pronunciation: 'päp-"korn Function: noun : an Indian corn (Zea mays praecox) whose kernels on exposure to heat burst open to form a white starchy mass; also : the kernels especially after popping Popcorn, a favorite snack of movie goers (at least...