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AWADmail Issue 66
February 3, 2002 A Weekly Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Interesting Tidbits about Words and Languages -------------------------------- From: Anu Garg (anu@wordsmith.org) Subject: Linguaphiles cross half-million mark Last week the number of wordlovers on AWAD list reached 500,000. Thanks to all of you for making this the world's largest and most enjoyable community of wordlovers. You can share it with others by sending a gift subscription: http://wordsmith.org/awad/gift.html You can see the distribution of addresses by countries with their flags at: http://wordsmith.org/awad/stats.html (it's a large document). The latest edition of AWADnews is available at: http://wordsmith.org/awad/awadnews.html -------------------------------- From: Wordsmith Sponsor (sponsor@wordsmith.org) Subject: Sponsor of this AWADmail issue: Robert J. Thieblot Advertisement: Can gods be mortal? Read the memoirs of an immortal god, TELEMACHUS by Robert J. Thieblot: http://amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965946509/httpwwwwordorgst/ -------------------------------- From: Hendrika Vande Kemp, Ph.D. (hendrika@earthlink.net) Subject: Regarding the word ethology Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/ethology.html I forwarded today's word to a list of historians of psychology, who all want you to know that there was an earlier, 19th century version of ethology: In his 1843 SYSTEM OF LOGIC, J.S. Mill proposed the development of a new science he also called "ethology," whose purpose would be the explanation of individual and national differences in character, on the basis of associationistic psychology. Needless to say, the French sense of the term has prevailed. -Raymond E. Fancher Editor, Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences Professor of Psychology York University -------------------------------- From: Helen Ferrara (hferrara@aol.com) Subject: Re: Enronomics Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/esemplastic.html In regard to your comments about Enron and "enronomics" to describe their method of economics and accounting, I believe that before long the idea of "going enron" will be used to describe other such unfortunate failures. -------------------------------- From: Thomas Shunk (tshunk@bakerlaw.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--ultramontane Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/ultramontane.html Your commentary relating to 'ultramontane' include a reminiscence of your days in Cleveland, which you remember as being located on the "North Shore." While there might be some Clevelanders who mistakenly use this phrase, the much more common Cleveland expression is that we live on the "North Coast," which is accurate, even from the point of view of our Canadian neighbors. A brief check of the Cleveland White Pages shows 23 entries for "North Shore etc." businesses, but roughly five times that number of entries for "North Coast etc." businesses, from "North Coast Abrasives, Inc." to "North Coast Wood Products." -------------------------------- From: Richard Rosen (rdrosen49@yahoo.com) Subject: a small correction Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/psychobabble.html I was delighted to see my coinage "psychobabble" as word of the day--thank you--but would like to correct one small error. My book Psychobabble was published in 1977 (Atheneum), not 1997. -------------------------------- From: Sharon Streeter (diomo1@msn.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--opsimath Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/opsimath.html At 58 I'm learning the cello. "Opsimath" inspired a poem. Thanks! Opsimath She plucked the open D-string on her cello, Felt of its vibration, followed fading tremor As it rose, expanded, filled the room, and then, Evaporated. She, the aging opsimath, eager To explore the strings of steel, membranous Polished woods, the hollow core And all its possibilities, placed index finger Carefully and plucked again. D, clear and pure. -------------------------------- From: Jeffrey Carpenter <jcfish57@yahoo.com< Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--hangdog Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/hangdog.html Re: "hangdog" No doubt that the delinquent canines would be given the ultimate penalty---wasn't it Salem or another community caught up in witch fever that executed several dogs along with the humans? And the 18th century Brits, who would hang petty thieves (read _The Fatal Shore_) would probably include the thieves' best friends as accomplices. I associate the word with the sentiment expressed by the public who gathered at such executions, those who stay "until the last dog is hanged," whether sea-dog pirate, highwayman, Fagin, or starving pilferer, all of whom hadn't a dog's chance in the courtroom. -------------------------------- From: Raymond McGrath (rmcgrath@pacbell.net) Subject: Oblique Sports reference Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/sticky_wicket.html Here's an oblique sports reference culled from an old music review: "The X Symphony played Brahms last night. Brahms lost." -------------------------------- From: Eric Shackle (eshackle@ozemail.com.au) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--cruciverbalist Refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/cruciverbalist.html Cruciverbalists may like to read about the world's first crossword; others may prefer The President's Pretzel Problem. Both stories are in the February edition of my e-book http://bdb.co.za/shackle/ebook.htm . -------------------------------- From: Wordsmith Sponsor (sponsor@wordsmith.org) Subject: Sponsor of this AWADmail issue: Zeus Systems Advertisement: Zeus Systems provides compelling content and related services for K-12 math and science and helps clients become more competitive by helping them realize significant cost savings, quick scalability and improving time to market. http://www.zeuslearning.com ............................................................................ High is our calling, Friend! Creative Art (Whether the instrument of words she use, Or pencil pregnant with ethereal hues, Demands the service of a mind and heart. -William Wordsworth, poet (1770-1850) Send your comments to anu@wordsmith.org. To subscribe or unsubscribe A.Word.A.Day, send a message to wsmith@wordsmith.org with Subject line as "subscribe <Your Name<" or "unsubscribe". Archives, FAQ, gift subscription form, and more at: http://wordsmith.org/awad/
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