Years ago I used to watch a very popular French tv show that trotted out very young talents (or at least hopefuls). When asked who had come to the program with them, the most common answers went something like, "I came with Mama, Papa, Maman, Meme, Pepe, etc." It was anyone's guess which a...

Frank, read more closely: any relationship between abrogate and obrigado (thank you). I thought the reply implied a clear and loud no to any kind of perceived relationship between the two words suggested above :-). F I agree with BD. The fact that you discuss a relationship between two other words ...

And perhaps people guilty of contumely needs to have their comtumuppance?

I grew up in Michigan. We would shift back and forth between soda pop and soft drinks. When we asked if someone wanted a coke or a ginger ale, we meant the actual beverage, not a generic concept. As to how Northern or Southern soda pop is, Hank Williams was born in Mount Olive West Alabama and then ...

. . . while his order of liver had yet to arrive. The waitress assured him, “we’ll have your liver out in a minute sir”. He instantly clutched his abdomen and replied, “that won’t be necessary!” It sounds like he has a home here! 8) He sort of does. It is my brother that I quote in my "signatu...

Maybe Brazilan dude can tell us if there is any relationship between abrogate and obrigado (thank you). Maybe this comes together when no thanks are necessary?

So sue me. I'm a bit rusty! LOL

In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. ALL. Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. T...

To obviate the obvious, let's first use this word in an ordinary turn of phase...

Life is usually too hectic to allow us sufficient opportunity for simple pleasures. Fortunately we can at least amuse ourselves by obviating the obvious when conversing.

Katie,

I remember this one well, and was happy to reread it. I have always loved orphaned positives. (Isn't that what you and I are? LOL)

I like "good gravy" for overall surprise (although I rarely say it) and "sheesh" for annoyance (which I do pull out on occasion).

Old Spanish picked the word up from Arabic makila "measured, measure of capacity" from the past participle of kala "to measure", during the Moorish conquest of Spain (711-1492). This reference to the origin of the word is very relevant to the discussion on "too much" a...