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by Slava
Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:30 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: EQUILIBRIUM
Replies: 1
Views: 3452

Going back to an earlier GWoTD, if I understand it correctly, in one sense of the word, librate is the process of reaching equilibrium. True libration would be when two kids on a see-saw balance themselves and the board across the center bar.

Any takers for that one?
by Slava
Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:04 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: LIBRATE
Replies: 1
Views: 4252

Re: LIBRATE

"Milton gently dozed off, hypnotized by the libration of his children on the see-saw."
Milton was rudely awakened by the cessation of the libration when one of his children jumped off the see-saw, sending the other crashing to the ground, where he vibrated for some time.
by Slava
Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:41 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: MOUNTEBANK
Replies: 1
Views: 3645

"Why, you know, I do believe that mountebank just sold you a fake Mont Blanc!"
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:31 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Gail's Picassoesque Blue Period?
Replies: 4
Views: 11645

What! :shock: You mean to say you don't remember every post you've ever made? How can that be?

I get it now, the blue bit that is. "Blue Navy." Cute song.

Have to admit, though, I'm not a fan of lip-syncing, and bad lip-syncing is even worse.
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:17 pm
Forum: Grammar
Topic: Debutant
Replies: 7
Views: 18688

Debutant

I just came across what I believe is the first adjectival usage of this noun. "Most debutant drugs find the market already crowded with similar products, and prices are set by the competition." Any comments? What do you think of this turn of phrase? For the curious, the whole article is he...
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:19 pm
Forum: Idioms
Topic: Hay is for horses, better for cows...
Replies: 12
Views: 146921

Hay is for horses Straw is cheaper Grass ain't free. Go to a farm You can get all three Another version with better logic Hay is for horses Straw is cheaper Grass is free. Buy a farm Get all three Maybe one of these will jiggle your memory. Thanks for these Mr. Tokyo. Both work well, though in the ...
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:15 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: RUPESTRIAN
Replies: 1
Views: 2972

Perhaps a good one for hidden insults?

"Ah, Peter, have you come to regale us with the intricate workings of your marvelously rupestrian mind?"
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:06 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: empyreal
Replies: 1
Views: 2923

If one commits self-immolation in heaven, is that an empyreal pyre?
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:41 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: SOBRIETY
Replies: 1
Views: 3481

Re: SOBRIETY

2. Seriousness absent all excess, exaggeration, or frivolity.
Does this mean children are almost never sober? Horrors!
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:39 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: We ought to know aught about AUGHT
Replies: 3
Views: 6216

Re: We ought to know aught about AUGHT

English has a peculiar way of expressing years, for example 1923 = nineteen (hundred) twenty-three. All other non-Germanic Indo-European languages use thousand, as in one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three. Query to speakers of other languages: What is your language's take on the "and"...
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:33 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: vacation
Replies: 1
Views: 2526

A further meaning to this one is the noun form of the verb, vacate. Especially useful in legalese, as in the vacation of a law. A judge's ruling may vacate certain provisions, or the entire law. As in the recent Proposition 8 case in California. Judge Walker's vacation of Prop 8 is hated by some and...
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:56 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Gail's Picassoesque Blue Period?
Replies: 4
Views: 11645

I both understand and like the Picasso reference. The other one is lost on me. All the more so as the link is busted.

Care to explicate the situation?
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:53 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: AUGUST
Replies: 1
Views: 5308

August is now fast approaching September, so I'll have a go at this one, though I'm not in Merrie Olde. Weedmonth doesn't necessarily refer to what we call weeds nowadays. However, if you look around you, some of the highest heights of reeds and weeds are being attained now. We're not talking about ...
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:40 pm
Forum: The Rebel-Yankee Test
Topic: Another name for soft drinks
Replies: 3
Views: 31108

I wasn't around in the late 50s, so I can't comment much on this one. I like the thought behind the etymology, though. Would any of our new members care to opine here? New blood and eyes and minds might be able to cut through this matter.
by Slava
Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:38 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Swingeing
Replies: 1
Views: 4955

Let's not forget that this comes from a verb. You can swinge someone. Perhaps we could swinge swindlers? Perhaps then they would feel a twinge of remorse.

But why with a bag of nickles, one wonders? At least this one does.

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