Today, while chopping an entire case of broccoli into VERY small pieces with a VERY large knife, I sliced my finger open. Hurray! It was really quite exciting, because I felt a slight burn, looked down and thought I had cut myself with such skill that I'd managed to avoid any bleeding. A split second later the cut opened up and it was obvious that there had been no skill involved. After about five minutes of running cold water over the cut one of my kitchen coworkers came over to look at the damage. “Ooo. That’s a good one. It’s not gonna stop without some pressure.” She took me to the back office where she proceeded to bandage it up. But it didn’t stop bleeding so she made a miniature tourniquet out of duct tape. I was impressed. I was still bleeding, but the flow seemed to have slowed. I’m always amazed by the uses of duct tape. But that’s not really the point of this blog or this entry. Instead I want to tell you about this funny word, tourniquet.
The word originated in France between 1685 and 1695 and comes from ‘tourner’ meaning to turn. Not surprising considering most early tourniquets were tightened by turning or twisting the fabric that surrounded a wound. Is it just me or do we seem to take a lot of words from the French?
Word.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Hypothetical news story
As the title indicates, this is obviously a hypothetical news story. The quotes are made up as are most of the details. Obviously, there are some juicy details missing--like how much Bar Harbor spent preparing for the President's visit. If I was actually writing the story, I would, of course, investigate that information...)
BAR HARBOR— In preparation for President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit, Police Chief Nathan Young and all of the Bar Harbor police force are hard at work. Young was notified on Monday, July 3rd that the President would be arriving on the island for a three day visit starting Friday July 7th. Federal agents arrived to begin preparing for the visit on Tuesday, and no one on security detail has slept much since.
Chief Young isn’t allowed to disclose all of the details of the upcoming visit, but he said that the preparation for the President’s arrival has been a whirlwind of constant activity. “We’ve had to coordinate with each police department on the island and still don’t have as many officers as would be ideal,” he said. Young expressed some concerns about the challenges that will be involved in protecting the President while trying to avoid disrupting the usual activities occurring all over the island in the peak of tourist season.
“From end to end, Cottage Street isn’t quite big enough to fit the entire motorcade. I’m not sure there’s anything we can do about that.” He also expressed concern about the burden the visit places on local resources, pointing out that Bar Harbor would not be reimbursed for the extra man hours required to provide adequate security during the President’s visit.
Despite the extra costs and the strenuous work, Chief Young said he’s looking forward to hosting the President and First Lady. He thinks the visit will be beneficial for local businesses and said he’s definitely looking forward to riding in the motorcade.
BAR HARBOR— In preparation for President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit, Police Chief Nathan Young and all of the Bar Harbor police force are hard at work. Young was notified on Monday, July 3rd that the President would be arriving on the island for a three day visit starting Friday July 7th. Federal agents arrived to begin preparing for the visit on Tuesday, and no one on security detail has slept much since.
Chief Young isn’t allowed to disclose all of the details of the upcoming visit, but he said that the preparation for the President’s arrival has been a whirlwind of constant activity. “We’ve had to coordinate with each police department on the island and still don’t have as many officers as would be ideal,” he said. Young expressed some concerns about the challenges that will be involved in protecting the President while trying to avoid disrupting the usual activities occurring all over the island in the peak of tourist season.
“From end to end, Cottage Street isn’t quite big enough to fit the entire motorcade. I’m not sure there’s anything we can do about that.” He also expressed concern about the burden the visit places on local resources, pointing out that Bar Harbor would not be reimbursed for the extra man hours required to provide adequate security during the President’s visit.
Despite the extra costs and the strenuous work, Chief Young said he’s looking forward to hosting the President and First Lady. He thinks the visit will be beneficial for local businesses and said he’s definitely looking forward to riding in the motorcade.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Having a ball
This evening is COA's annual Aurora-ball-ealis. (As my friend Russell would point out, an unfortunate name for an amazing event). Of course, that got me wondering about the origin of the word ball and the many ways we use it. The spherical object you throw versus the special event you throw,the expression 'having a ball.' Dictionary.com offers 13 definitions of the word, and the slang dictionary has even more. I'll just focus on the special event sort for now...
'Ball' when used to refer to a formal dance, is derived from the word 'ballare' which is the Latin word for dance.
Who knew? Hope you're all having a ball on your Saturday night!
Word!
'Ball' when used to refer to a formal dance, is derived from the word 'ballare' which is the Latin word for dance.
Who knew? Hope you're all having a ball on your Saturday night!
Word!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Taser Tease
Alright, I'll admit, there's nothing actually funny about a taser. While I'd take a few debilitating electric shock waves over lethal bullets any day, I still think tasers are dangerous and frequently abused. But I think the origins of the word taser is really interesting...and ironically lighthearted. The weapon was named by its inventor, Jack Cover who was a researcher for NASA in the late 60's. It is named after his childhood hero, a fictional character named Thomas Swift. Taser is an acronym which stands for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle. Tom's character was a young inventor who reveled in the many creative possibilities of science and technology--not unlike Jack Cover himself. Nerds unite!
That includes you word nerds, too!
That includes you word nerds, too!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Palin's Fictional Obituary
All in good fun, of course. I kept it as PC as I could...and was perhaps a bit too sweet, because I heartily disagree with some of it. But then again, I probably could have been sweet writing Hitler's obituary if I had to..
Does Hitler even have an obituary? Hmm. Maybe I'll look. If I find anything interesting I'll definitely post it here.
PALIN: Former governor Sarah Palin, a politician and self-proclaimed hockey mom, died tragically on January 23, 2011 when she was attacked by a rabid moose in her driveway. She is survived by her parents Charles and Sarah Heath, her husband Todd Palin, their five children, Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig, and one grandson, Tripp Johnston.
Born Sarah Louise Heath on February 11, 1964 in Sand Point, Idaho, Sarah was the third of four children. She moved with her family to Alaska when she was just 2 months old, and what the family originally thought would be a yearlong opportunity for their dad to hunt and fish became a lasting obsession with Alaska’s rustic beauty. When Sarah was 8, the family settled permanently in Wasilla, and the charismatic Sarah quickly became a fixture in the small community of 1,000. She attended Wasilla High School where she jumpstarted her career of leadership and community involvement by playing flute in the high school band and serving as the president of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During her senior year, she led her under dog team to victory in the state basketball championship, becoming a local superstar know fondly among the people of Wasilla as ‘Sarah Baracuda.’
In 1984 she won the Miss Wasilla beauty pageant and went on to become first runner up in the Miss Alaska competition. Her effortless effervescence also earned her the title of Miss Congeniality and a college scholarship that funded her undergraduate work at the University of Hawaii and University of Idaho. She received her BA from the University of Idaho in 1987 with a major in communication emphasizing journalism and a minor in political science.
After graduating, Sarah returned to Alaska where she became a sports broadcaster in Anchorage and a sports reporter for a local newspaper. In August of 1988 she eloped with her high-school sweetheart, Todd, and then spent several years helping him manage his commercial fishing business. Her first foray into formal politics, a bid for Wasilla City Council in 1992, was a landslide success. After first victory, she continued to serve in the public arena, each time upping the stakes. She became Mayor of Wasilla in 1996 serving two successful terms on a platform of aggressive tax cuts and government accountability which is credited with bringing big business and major infrastructure improvements to the town of Wasilla. In 2003 she accepted a nomination as Chair of The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003, and in 2006 she became the first female and youngest person to ever serve as Governor of Alaska.
In 2008, Alaska’s hard hitting sweetheart launched herself onto the national political stage as the running mate of the Republican Party Presidential Nominee, Senator John McCain. Adding two more firsts to her career, Sarah became the first ever female vice-presidential nominee for the Republican Party and the first Alaskan to hold a place on the national ballot.
Though Sarah ultimately wasn’t given the chance to play her part in the Maverick Duo that promised to bring bipartisan reform to Washington, her platform grounded in true American values resonated with millions. Her autobiography Going Rouge: an American Life was a runaway bestseller, detailing how the struggles and achievements in her personal and political life have provided endless opportunities for her to shake things up and avoid ‘business as usual.’
Sarah’s life and legacy are a reminder of what is great about this country and its people. If a small town girl from Wasilla can be hokey mom, polar bear hunter, and vice-presidential nominee, well then, by the grace of God, goshdarnit, anyone can.
Does Hitler even have an obituary? Hmm. Maybe I'll look. If I find anything interesting I'll definitely post it here.
PALIN: Former governor Sarah Palin, a politician and self-proclaimed hockey mom, died tragically on January 23, 2011 when she was attacked by a rabid moose in her driveway. She is survived by her parents Charles and Sarah Heath, her husband Todd Palin, their five children, Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig, and one grandson, Tripp Johnston.
Born Sarah Louise Heath on February 11, 1964 in Sand Point, Idaho, Sarah was the third of four children. She moved with her family to Alaska when she was just 2 months old, and what the family originally thought would be a yearlong opportunity for their dad to hunt and fish became a lasting obsession with Alaska’s rustic beauty. When Sarah was 8, the family settled permanently in Wasilla, and the charismatic Sarah quickly became a fixture in the small community of 1,000. She attended Wasilla High School where she jumpstarted her career of leadership and community involvement by playing flute in the high school band and serving as the president of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During her senior year, she led her under dog team to victory in the state basketball championship, becoming a local superstar know fondly among the people of Wasilla as ‘Sarah Baracuda.’
In 1984 she won the Miss Wasilla beauty pageant and went on to become first runner up in the Miss Alaska competition. Her effortless effervescence also earned her the title of Miss Congeniality and a college scholarship that funded her undergraduate work at the University of Hawaii and University of Idaho. She received her BA from the University of Idaho in 1987 with a major in communication emphasizing journalism and a minor in political science.
After graduating, Sarah returned to Alaska where she became a sports broadcaster in Anchorage and a sports reporter for a local newspaper. In August of 1988 she eloped with her high-school sweetheart, Todd, and then spent several years helping him manage his commercial fishing business. Her first foray into formal politics, a bid for Wasilla City Council in 1992, was a landslide success. After first victory, she continued to serve in the public arena, each time upping the stakes. She became Mayor of Wasilla in 1996 serving two successful terms on a platform of aggressive tax cuts and government accountability which is credited with bringing big business and major infrastructure improvements to the town of Wasilla. In 2003 she accepted a nomination as Chair of The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003, and in 2006 she became the first female and youngest person to ever serve as Governor of Alaska.
In 2008, Alaska’s hard hitting sweetheart launched herself onto the national political stage as the running mate of the Republican Party Presidential Nominee, Senator John McCain. Adding two more firsts to her career, Sarah became the first ever female vice-presidential nominee for the Republican Party and the first Alaskan to hold a place on the national ballot.
Though Sarah ultimately wasn’t given the chance to play her part in the Maverick Duo that promised to bring bipartisan reform to Washington, her platform grounded in true American values resonated with millions. Her autobiography Going Rouge: an American Life was a runaway bestseller, detailing how the struggles and achievements in her personal and political life have provided endless opportunities for her to shake things up and avoid ‘business as usual.’
Sarah’s life and legacy are a reminder of what is great about this country and its people. If a small town girl from Wasilla can be hokey mom, polar bear hunter, and vice-presidential nominee, well then, by the grace of God, goshdarnit, anyone can.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Obituary
We're writing fictional obituaries for journalism class this week, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to investigate this rather unusual word.
The word 'obituary' originated during the 18th century. It grew out of a Latin phrase, which literally translated means 'to go down' or 'make an exit'. Hurray for euphemisms. Latin is such a gentle language :)
The original word was 'obire' was a combination of 'ob', meaning 'down' and 'ire', meaning 'to go.' Obire lead to obitus, the Latin word for death, and from that grew 'obituarius,' a Latin adjective meaning 'of death.' It's obviously only a short hop from there to the modern English use of obituary. A bit morbid, but still fascinating.
The word 'obituary' originated during the 18th century. It grew out of a Latin phrase, which literally translated means 'to go down' or 'make an exit'. Hurray for euphemisms. Latin is such a gentle language :)
The original word was 'obire' was a combination of 'ob', meaning 'down' and 'ire', meaning 'to go.' Obire lead to obitus, the Latin word for death, and from that grew 'obituarius,' a Latin adjective meaning 'of death.' It's obviously only a short hop from there to the modern English use of obituary. A bit morbid, but still fascinating.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Language Gimmicks
Yeah, I know we all use them, but sometimes it’s fun to think about them.
My friend pointed out this one:
"As March and UIC Women's Heritage Month are rapidly approaching, the Women's
Leadership and Resource Center is reaching out to the campus to see who has
programs or events planned for this month."
She asked me if I’d ever stopped to think about the fact that no month actually approaches any faster than any other. I realized that I’d probably seen that phrase a couple dozen times but had never given it a second thought.
I responded to my friend with a defense of the phrase. As a student who writes a lot, I certainly understand its use. Even though it’s cliché, there’s no easier entry into any story about an approaching event. It can be very handy if you're in a hurry and can't seem to find your creative spark.
I think this is all true, but then she pointed out that this message was distributed earlier this week. We’re still in January. Even if time does seem to move more quickly as deadlines get closer, we still have to get through most of February before March can fast approach.With the added perspective I now absolutely agree that my friend has complete license to make fun of this phrase in this particular context. No event is fast approaching unless it's a week or less away...
Kudos to people who are ahead of the game, because as a pre-professional procrastinator, I most certainly am not. I’m too busy spending time poking fun at your too-far-ahead-of-schedule memos.
Word!
My friend pointed out this one:
"As March and UIC Women's Heritage Month are rapidly approaching, the Women's
Leadership and Resource Center is reaching out to the campus to see who has
programs or events planned for this month."
She asked me if I’d ever stopped to think about the fact that no month actually approaches any faster than any other. I realized that I’d probably seen that phrase a couple dozen times but had never given it a second thought.
I responded to my friend with a defense of the phrase. As a student who writes a lot, I certainly understand its use. Even though it’s cliché, there’s no easier entry into any story about an approaching event. It can be very handy if you're in a hurry and can't seem to find your creative spark.
I think this is all true, but then she pointed out that this message was distributed earlier this week. We’re still in January. Even if time does seem to move more quickly as deadlines get closer, we still have to get through most of February before March can fast approach.With the added perspective I now absolutely agree that my friend has complete license to make fun of this phrase in this particular context. No event is fast approaching unless it's a week or less away...
Kudos to people who are ahead of the game, because as a pre-professional procrastinator, I most certainly am not. I’m too busy spending time poking fun at your too-far-ahead-of-schedule memos.
Word!
Monday, January 24, 2011
A remarkable ability to conversate....
Last night, while I was in the midst of a trash television binge—(think something along the lines of The Biggest Loser, Millionaire Matchmaker and Super Nanny) one of the show participants critiqued her fellow reality star’s inability to ‘conversate.’ I cringed. Either the show’s editors don’t know that’s not a word or they were trying to prove a point—this woman really was a bimbo. Either way, I think it’s unfortunate.
I know we all make grammatical mistakes and have our own verbal idiosyncrasies, but we also all have our pet peeves. And this is one of mine—when you have a conversation, you don’t conversate, you converse. When you make a presentation, you don’t presentate, you present. And when you make an adaptation, you don’t adaptate, you adapt. But I can see how it gets confusing---after all, you’re doing this for the sake of communication, so you can communicate—which doesn’t seem to fit the established pattern. Hmmm.
I suppose one way to solve this problem is to practice--reading and listening to words in context (from grammatically sound sources)is a great way to hone your skills identifying the misuse and abuse of language.
Another equally effective solution seems to be to becoming famous. Case in point: Sarah Palin. She is heralded as the invent of the word refudiate, which the New Oxford American Dictionary decided to formally recognize as the 2010 Word of the Year.
Language changes. That’s a fact that not even I can refudiate. Am I eve using that correctly?
Well, you know what I mean, so I suppose it’s served its purpose. Yet another amazing thing about language.
Word.
I know we all make grammatical mistakes and have our own verbal idiosyncrasies, but we also all have our pet peeves. And this is one of mine—when you have a conversation, you don’t conversate, you converse. When you make a presentation, you don’t presentate, you present. And when you make an adaptation, you don’t adaptate, you adapt. But I can see how it gets confusing---after all, you’re doing this for the sake of communication, so you can communicate—which doesn’t seem to fit the established pattern. Hmmm.
I suppose one way to solve this problem is to practice--reading and listening to words in context (from grammatically sound sources)is a great way to hone your skills identifying the misuse and abuse of language.
Another equally effective solution seems to be to becoming famous. Case in point: Sarah Palin. She is heralded as the invent of the word refudiate, which the New Oxford American Dictionary decided to formally recognize as the 2010 Word of the Year.
Language changes. That’s a fact that not even I can refudiate. Am I eve using that correctly?
Well, you know what I mean, so I suppose it’s served its purpose. Yet another amazing thing about language.
Word.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Under the Weather
I'm back after a week of feeling a bit under the weather...both literally and figuratively. The snow day was great, and perhaps what I needed to recuperate. And of course, it's what inspired this particular blog entry.
The phrase 'under the weather' is used most often to describe someone who is feeling sick, but has also been used for someone who is drunk/hung over or, less commonly, someone who is experiencing financial challenges. Most sources indicate that the phrase is of nautical origin. It was first used by sailors and meant to be ill or to be negatively affected by the weather. One source indicates that the complete phrase is actually 'under the weather bow' or on the side of the ship being buffeted by the storm. Other nautical sources say that the phrase came about because sick sailors were sent below deck to remain out of the weather...
Many wishes for staying well and enjoying the snowy weather.
Word!
The phrase 'under the weather' is used most often to describe someone who is feeling sick, but has also been used for someone who is drunk/hung over or, less commonly, someone who is experiencing financial challenges. Most sources indicate that the phrase is of nautical origin. It was first used by sailors and meant to be ill or to be negatively affected by the weather. One source indicates that the complete phrase is actually 'under the weather bow' or on the side of the ship being buffeted by the storm. Other nautical sources say that the phrase came about because sick sailors were sent below deck to remain out of the weather...
Many wishes for staying well and enjoying the snowy weather.
Word!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Good Ganache!
According to Merriam-Webster, the use of the word ‘ganache’ as a noun signifying the creamy chocolate deliciousness we know it as today, first came about in 1977. It’s a French word that literally translated means jowl—the lower part of your jaw. (It’s a spin off of the Italian ganascia and modification of the Greek gnathos, which both also refer to the lower part of your jaw.
Pretty strange if you ask me. I’m not sure if it’s a reference to the fact that the flavor of good ganache makes you drop your jaw out of amazement or a more primal desire to eat more, More, MORE!
Maybe you should try some out and tell me your impressions.
Here’s a link to a simple recipe.
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/chocolate-ganache/Detail.aspx
Pretty strange if you ask me. I’m not sure if it’s a reference to the fact that the flavor of good ganache makes you drop your jaw out of amazement or a more primal desire to eat more, More, MORE!
Maybe you should try some out and tell me your impressions.
Here’s a link to a simple recipe.
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/chocolate-ganache/Detail.aspx
Friday, January 14, 2011
TGIF, Baby!
In recognition and celebration I’ll offer some of the theories about the origins of the word Friday. There are several, but I’ll keep it brief, because you and I both should be out kicking off the weekend.
Most sources agree that Friday was a day named after the Norse Goddess Frigga. She was the wife of Odin and the goddess of freedom, love, and fecundity. The name Friday also corresponds to the German Goddess Frija,, the goddess of beauty. And in the romance languages that share Latin roots, Friday is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility. (Think viernes in Spanish and vendredi in French.)
Brings a whole new meaning to TGIF, doesn’t it? Now stop reading. It’s Friday! Go love and be free!
Most sources agree that Friday was a day named after the Norse Goddess Frigga. She was the wife of Odin and the goddess of freedom, love, and fecundity. The name Friday also corresponds to the German Goddess Frija,, the goddess of beauty. And in the romance languages that share Latin roots, Friday is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility. (Think viernes in Spanish and vendredi in French.)
Brings a whole new meaning to TGIF, doesn’t it? Now stop reading. It’s Friday! Go love and be free!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Here's the News
Oh dear. Don't you hate it when blog entries go MIA? Well, here's a synopsis of the several paragraphs that used to be here. News is the plural of new. And while that seems very odd, because in English we don't use plural adjectives, it's actually a word that we took from the French--who refer to the newest, latest, greatest information as 'les nouvelles' or 'the news.' And if I remember correctly the word 'news' showed up in the English language sometime in the 14th century.
News is not, as commonly believed, a shorthand for north, south, east west. So now you know!
Word!
News is not, as commonly believed, a shorthand for north, south, east west. So now you know!
Word!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
First words from a wordie
Greetings, Readers!
My name is Marin. I'm a third year student at College of the Atlantic whose been tasked with keeping a daily blog for the next ten weeks. At minimum my goal is to keep information flowing, but ideally I'd also like to keep it interesting and informative. So, I've choose a topic with which I'm semi-obsessed and one with which I'm convinced we can all relate--language.
With the exception of a few taboo four letter words this blogging site will electronically bleep over, nothing is off limits. This blog is a place for exploring words, phrases, and, if I'm feeling ambitious, entire languages. I'll consider their origins, uses, misuses, conventions, reinventions and interpretations. Anything and everything from Pig Latin to Pidgin, bad poetry and fine prose, to song lyrics, Braille, sign language and the chociest line of the Jabberwocky is fair game. And In my writing about words, I reserve the right to invent new ones, like chociest. I encourage you to do it, too.
Fellow wordies, join the party.
My name is Marin. I'm a third year student at College of the Atlantic whose been tasked with keeping a daily blog for the next ten weeks. At minimum my goal is to keep information flowing, but ideally I'd also like to keep it interesting and informative. So, I've choose a topic with which I'm semi-obsessed and one with which I'm convinced we can all relate--language.
With the exception of a few taboo four letter words this blogging site will electronically bleep over, nothing is off limits. This blog is a place for exploring words, phrases, and, if I'm feeling ambitious, entire languages. I'll consider their origins, uses, misuses, conventions, reinventions and interpretations. Anything and everything from Pig Latin to Pidgin, bad poetry and fine prose, to song lyrics, Braille, sign language and the chociest line of the Jabberwocky is fair game. And In my writing about words, I reserve the right to invent new ones, like chociest. I encourage you to do it, too.
Fellow wordies, join the party.
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