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Post by marysgurl1 on Sept 1, 2005 15:39:31 GMT -6
now i can move "red-letter days" to the "where did that come from" thread....
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Post by Phalon on Nov 23, 2005 22:29:25 GMT -6
Looking up the spelling of a word the other day in one of my dictionaries, I came across this:
Fat’ti ma’schii, parol’le fe’mine: (abbreviated and altered from Italian.) Literally; deeds masculine, words feminine; i.e. men act, women talk. The motto of Maryland.
Hhmph, I thought. Kind of a sexist phrase, no? It implies that while men are off doing manly things; taking action, getting stuff done, women are sitting around doing nothing but chatting; probably gossiping over coffee or a glass of wine. Or ‘you want something done – get a man to do it; you want to talk about getting something done, call a woman and she’ll talk off your ear.
But then I thought…hhmmm, maybe it’s not such a bad phrase at all. There should be more talk; more discussion, more negotiating before being so willing to grab the sword, the musket, rifle, the smart-bomb, or cruise missile or whatever weapon of choice seems to be preferred during a particular period in history. Unfortunately during certain times, it seems that talk is considered cheap, and action – no matter the cost – is preferred.
Still…an odd phrase to have as a state motto. So….the two minute Internet drill…
It seems I wasn’t the only one who thought the phrase sexist. In 1993, State Archivist, Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, presented a translation in response to charges that the motto as transcribed in law was discriminatory.
The motto has been used on Maryland’s seal since the 1800’s and the translation has varied over the years.
"Deeds are men, words are women" (Lord Calvert's day – it is the Calvert family whose family arms appear on Maryland’s seal, 1622)
"A woman for words and a man for deeds" (Maryland Manual, 1905)
"Womanly (Courteous), words and manly deeds" (Maryland Manual, 1905)
Strictly, "Deeds are males’, words, females’" (Maryland Manual, 1939)
"Deeds are manly, words are womanly" (Unnamed State Archivist, 1969)
"Manly deeds, womanly words" (State Legislature, 1975)
"Strong deeds, gentle words" (Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, 1993)
Though "Strong deeds, gentle words" has been adopted as today’s translation, the legal translation remains 'Manly deeds, womanly words'.
Just one of those things that I thought was weirdly mildly interesting.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 10, 2006 0:12:41 GMT -6
Today was “Word Nerd Day”. I am not a word nerd; I love words but use the same ones over and over again. I just like the idea of having hundreds of choices to describe something as being “good” or “bad”.
For example: the word “juxtaposition”. I looked up its meaning the first time I came across it not so long ago, and have seen it written a number of times since, and though I like to be on top….of things, it’s juxtaposition. I can be on the bottom too…of the barrel; like that pun.
I cleaned off my desk this past weekend and found handfuls of tiny scraps of paper with words on them. Some of the words had definitions attached; most were just a single word, most of which I have no idea why I decided I needed to keep on a tiny scrap of paper thrown on my desk.
Among them were:
Riposte. No definition written next to it, but it means a retaliatory verbal sally; retort or a retaliatory maneuver or measure. Why I needed to know this I haven’t a clue.
Impious. It means lacking in reverence or proper respect. Again, no clue why it’s on a scrap of paper.
Catholicity. This one I remember. I saw it in a book and was confused as to the context in which it appeared. Two definitions for the word: the character of being in conformity with a Catholic Church, or a liberality of sentiments and views. Conflicting definitions, I thought, and probably why I wrote it down.
Baroque. I remember why I kept this too. I just like the word.
Equivoque. This one I actually used once. It means an equivocal expression; a play upon words, a pun or double meaning.
Malodorous. I think I was going to use this in a “House of Whoosher” post, but probably misplaced the scrap before I stuck in it the post.
Campestral. Saw the word, looked up the definition, which means open fields, or country, and probably the same as above; I thought it’d fit in nicely in a Zena Scrolls post, but never got around to using it.
Next, a trio. These I had the definitions written next to the words, the words pertaining to words themselves. Huh?
Logogriph – a sort of riddle in which it is required to discover a chosen word from various combinations of letters.
Logomachy – contention in or about words; a war of words. A game of word making.
Logorrhea – excessive and often incoherent talkativeness.
Which this whole post is: one big logorrhea. But at least now I can throw all those scraps of paper in the trash, having used the words written on them at least once.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jan 10, 2006 0:21:56 GMT -6
Check it out! I'm really glad you brought this back up.
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Post by Siren on Jan 10, 2006 18:52:57 GMT -6
Oooo, I love words, too, Gams! campestral - what a beauty! And I have actually used "malodorous", in reference to myself. We'd been working at an outdoor festival in the heat of summer, and were taking a break in the rest tent. A friend appeared, and when she moved to hug me, I didn't want to come right out and say, "Look out, I'm sweaty and stinky." For some reason, the very nice word, "malodorous" came to mind, and out my mouth. My friend laughed, and hugged me anyway, as real friends do. Another nice one that came up lately is... rococo If you've never heard that, here's the pronunciation and definition. www.answers.com/topic/rococo A new club/restaurant has opened here with that name, and a half-wit Okie was pronouncing it, "Rockos"!~Siren
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jan 10, 2006 20:38:51 GMT -6
I used the phrase "Righteous Indignation" today. (big eye roll) The person I was with asked me to use smaller words...pfft....
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Post by Phalon on Jan 11, 2006 0:50:35 GMT -6
Oooo, Siren; a good one. Baroque and rococo. Now I've got two fun-to-say words as I flamboyantly weave my way through conversation.
LMAO. I was in classes all day - a work-related continuing education thing to keep my state hort. certifications - and one of the speakers was using his whole body, wildy flailing his arms about this way and that, to describe various plants and their habits and such. I looked at my boss, who was taking the class with me, and she just nodded her head, which meant, "yes, that is exactly how you look while describing plants to your customers."
I can't help myself.
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Post by Xenamoured on Jan 12, 2006 13:23:49 GMT -6
Hi Phalon, Scrappy , Siren. "Baroque and rococo." Good ones....here's a sort of related word that I attacked my brother with at Christmas...we like to sit around at dinner and try to use words that the other's don't know...weird family, yes....my brother was discussing his love of Mozart, and I described the music as rather "meretricious". Blank look from him...priceless....it means elaborately ornate or showily excessive-similiar to the Rococo period of art and music....
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Post by Freebird on Jan 12, 2006 19:42:36 GMT -6
vicious circle
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Post by Phalon on Jan 13, 2006 7:09:54 GMT -6
Hi Freebird. Glad to see you; it's been a while.
Xenamoured...
Sounds fun, actually. I'd need a dictionary though. Or I'd have to pen a bunch of words on my arm beforehand, then do a casual, nonchalant adjusting of my sleeve occasionally to take a glance at the list. With my luck, I'd accidentally grab a permanent marker, instead of a washable one.
Meretricious: I looked in my dictionary to get the pronunciation. BOLL. My Webster's states that the word means 'of or relating to a prostitute; having the nature of prostitution.' The 'pretentious' definition doesn't come in until the end.
I wonder if Mozart got his start by meretriciously pimping his music on seedy street-corners?
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Post by Siren on Jan 14, 2006 23:28:40 GMT -6
Here's a great word:
vapid - Lacking liveliness, animation, or interest; dull: vapid conversation
And here's a word I had been using incorrectly:
insipid - uninteresting (e.g. conversation); bland
I always thought it meant simple or stupid. Just shows to go ya.
Meretricious = relating to prostitution? Wow! lol
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Post by Phalon on Jan 15, 2006 9:34:00 GMT -6
Yes, love that word: vapid. One not used enough by me....though that vapid conversation; I do that all too frequently. As well as insipid conversation.
And don't ya just hate that? When you use something in the wrong context? (referring to your use of insipid, Siren.) I just realized last week that I've used e.g. and i.e. wrong perhaps hundreds of times - usually interchangablely, when in fact, they are two completely different things.
e.g. means "for example".
i.e. means "that is".
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Post by Xenamoured on Jan 15, 2006 9:56:15 GMT -6
Hi Siren..vapid is a good withering insult to use against the appropriate target. Another favourite of mine is "Obtuse". It scores so well, due largely in part to the fact that the target rarely understands the word...extra points there... Hi Phalon...that is interesting about the alternate, original meaning of meretricious...had no idea....best be careful how I use it in the future... "i.e." I always thought that meant "in effect"? Another wordy pet peave of mine---people who say "Ecetera" instead of "Etcetera" ; and also those who say "Expresso" rather than "Espresso". One more and I'll shut up....and this is sort of a silly one to mention because every single person uses it incorrectly...people who say that they "feel nauseaus" The correct term is "I feel nauseated". If you feel nauseaus, it suggests that you cause others around you to feel nauseated....
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Post by Phalon on Jan 17, 2006 0:46:35 GMT -6
I do, I do! I use nauseated and nauseaus correctly. I had an English teacher in the seventh grade who must have had the same pet peeve, because I distinctly remember him drilling this into the class. And when I do mess up and use them incorrectly by saying, "I am nauseaus", at least there is always a bit of truth in the statement.
And yes, i.e. means in effect, or that is. id est in Latin. The following comes from "Ask Yahoo"....
"....While they certainly look similar, their meanings are distinct. Basically, i.e. means "in other words" and e.g. means "for example." You can use i.e. to clarify and simplify: "We hope you read Ask Yahoo! because it's an entertaining way to learn new things (i.e., it's fun)." E.g. comes in handy to back up statements with examples: "There are a lot of fun things you can do on the Web (e.g., read Ask Yahoo!)."
As for tricks to remember which one to use when you're in the middle of a speech and have to think fast, think of e.g. as shorthand for "example given" and, as this page suggests, i.e. for "in effect."...."
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Post by Phalon on Jan 19, 2006 12:48:53 GMT -6
I got to use both the words baroque and rococo in conversation today, though not in an ornately flamboyant way. I had coffee with my artist friend this morning, who had a book with him titled, 'A Living History of Art' or some such thing. He gave me a nice little history lesson of the two styles. Fun.
Couldn't find a way to slip "meretricious" into the conversation though. Dang.
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Post by Siren on Jan 23, 2006 21:46:15 GMT -6
Here's one I always thought was just a country expression: persnickety. But I'll be danged - it's in the dictionary!
per·SNICK·e·ty adj. 1.a. Overparticular about trivial details; fastidious. b. Snobbish; pretentious. 2. Requiring strict attention to detail; demanding: a persnickety job.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 24, 2006 8:36:19 GMT -6
Hey, Siren. Persnickety is definitely not a country thang, cuz I've used it, and you know how I feel about Country. Just too set in my metalistic ways.
Curious though, and I had to look it up in my word origin book. Not much information; the word's ancestry is not quite clear.
It seems to have come from Scotland though; it's earliest appearance in print was by Scottish writers in the year, 1808. At that time, it was spelled pernickety.
The Scottish emigrants brought it to America in the first half of the eighteenth century, and somehow the 's' got added.
Just one more bit of useless trivia that will probably stick in my head taking up space, when I can't remember a phone number I've dialed hundreds of times.
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Post by Phalon on Jan 27, 2006 7:27:41 GMT -6
Thought this was fun.... "Lake Superior State University Banished Words List “PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU!” This “breaking news” just in: Lake Superior State University releases its 31st annual List of Words and Phrases Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness. It was during a New Year's party 30 years ago when LSSU Public Relations Director Bill Rabe and some colleagues cooked up a whimsical idea to banish overused words and phrases. On Jan. 1, 1976, with “tongue firmly in cheek,” Rabe took his first crack at it. Much to the delight (or chagrin) of word enthusiasts everywhere, the list endures into a fourth decade. Through the years, LSSU has received thousands of nominations for its “all-time” list of banished words and phrases, which now stands at nearly 800. This year's list is culled from almost 2,000 nominations received mostly through the University's Web site. Word-watchers target pet peeves from everyday speech, as well as from the news, fields of education, technology, advertising, politics, and more. A committee makes a final cut in late December. The list is released on New Year's Day. So pour out that last glass of eggnog, “hunker down” with a “person of interest” and enjoy the 2006 list, which is guaranteed “97% fat-free.” SURREAL – One part opiate of the masses, 13 parts overuse. Oddly, news anchor and television small talk is becoming more surreal. “Dreams are surreal, not daily adjectives.” – Tracy from Murray, Ky. HUNKER DOWN – To brace oneself, in anticipation of media onslaught. Trotted out in reports about everything from politics to hurricanes. “I have a hankering to ban all of this hunkering.” – Kate Rabe Forgach, Fort Collins, Colo. PERSON OF INTEREST – Found within the context of legal commentary, but seldom encountered at cocktail parties. “People with guns want to talk with you.” – Melissa Carroll from Greensboro, NC. “Does this mean the rest of us are too boring to deal with?” – Patricia Johnson from Mechanicsville, Va. COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS – A five-dollar phrase on a nickel-errand. Value-added into many higher education mission statements. “Not to be confused with ‘school.'” – Jim Howard from Mishawa, Ind. UP OR DOWN VOTE – A casualty of today's partisanship. No discussion on this one; the committee just tossed a coin. “I see a bright future for ex-senators as elevator operators.” — Allan Dregseth, Fargo, ND. BREAKING NEWS – Once it stopped presses. Now it's a lower-intestinal condition brought about by eating dinner during newscasts. “Now they have to interrupt my supper to tell me that Katie Holmes is pregnant.” — Michael Raczko, Swanton, Ohio. DESIGNER BREED – Many nominators consider this a bastardization of dog breeding. It may be a good line to use on angry neighbors when an un-neutered dog escapes. “When you mate a miniature schnauzer to a toy poodle, it's not a ‘Schnoodle,' it's a mongrel.” – George Bullerjahn, Bowling Green, Ohio. FEMA – Dedicated to the memory of a great federal agency consigned to the ash heap of parody. “If they don't do anything, we don't need their acronym.” – Josh Hamilton, Tucson, Ariz. FIRST-TIME CALLER – Preamble often heard on talk radio. “I am serious in asking: who in any universe gives a care?” – Miguel McCormick, Orlando, Fla. PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU! – Marketing catch phrase that became a lost-leader long ago. “Read: Pass the markup along to you.” – C. W. Estes, Roanoke, Tex. 97% FAT FREE – Adventures in delusion. “Still has 3% fat . . . accept it.” – Andrew Clucas, Canberra, Australia. AN ACCIDENT THAT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN – Best-laid mayhem. “This means some accidents need to happen, for whatever reason, I can't figure.” — Thomas Price, Orlando, Fla. JUNK SCIENCE – Banished from the Marketplace of Ideas. “It's not scientists who are using this phrase so much as the people who practice junk politics.” – Ron LaLonde, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. GIT-ER-DONE – (Any of its variations) It's overdone. “There's no escaping it. It's everywhere, from TV to T-shirts,” says Amanda Tikkanen of LaGrange, Ind. “Please tell me when we're done with this one.” DAWG – No designer breed here. Someone should wash out this Spot. “Even parents are starting to use it!” – complains Mrs. Swartz's Fifth Grade Class in Church Road, Va. “This is species confusion.” – Rob Bowers, Santa Clara, Calif. “Don't call me ‘dawg'! I'm not your pet!” – Michael Swartz, Albuquerque, NM. TALKING POINTS – Cover your ears! “Topics which will please those you want to impress.” – Michele Mooney, Van Nuys, Calif. Joe Wonsetler of Swanton, Ohio, believes the phrase was created after PR staffers stopped attending seminars on how to put a positive ‘spin' on their press releases. HOLIDAY TREE – Many salvoes were fired during this past season's “war on Christmas.” At the risk of jumping into the breach, the committee feels that “Holiday tree” is a silly name for what most folks hold as a Christmas tree, no matter your preference of religion. Thank goodness we all agree on the first day of winter. LSSU accepts nominations for the List of Banished Words throughout the year. To submit your nomination for the 2007 list, go to www.lssu.edu/banished. Lake Superior State University is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment of approximately 3,000 students...."
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Post by Xenamoured on Jan 29, 2006 9:42:33 GMT -6
Hi Phalon, Siren.. Those are some truly abhorrent words and phrases...most hated of them all for me is the incredible overuse of "surreal". As a long time fan of the artist, poor Dali must be spinning in his pork-chop and fish lined melting grave.... Second for me would be the hated "GIT-ER-DONE" Most annoying...here's another culprit, and if you've ever watched "The Apprentice" , you know of what I speak. It is the phrase-including all variants- 'Step-up-to-the-plate" "She just didn't step-up, you need to step up"...all that junk! The Donald needs to learn a new metaphor...
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Post by Phalon on Jan 29, 2006 10:40:06 GMT -6
"Git-er-done" tops the list for me, producing a teeth-gritting, lip-snarling cringe every time I hear it. Ick.
I received the following e-mail the other day, and thought it amusing. Misplaced punctuation, misspellings, and just poor phrasing sometimes completely changes the intent of what is meant to be said.
-------------------------------------------------------------- The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. ------------------------------------------------------------- The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." -------------------------------------------------------------- Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. ------------------------------------------------------------- The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict. ------------------------------------------------------------- Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. ------------------------------------------------------------- Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. -------------------------------------------------------------- For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. ------------------------------------------------------------ Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. -------------------------------------------------------------- The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: "Break Forth Into Joy." ------------- ------- ---------------------------------------- Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. -------------------------------------------------------------- A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. ------- ----------------------------------------------------- At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice. ------------------------------------------------------------ Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. ------------------------------------------------------------- Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. ---------------------------------------- ------- ------------- Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. ------------------------------------------------------------- The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. ------------------------------------------------- -------------- Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow. ------------------------------------------------------------- The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. ------------------------------------------------------------- This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. ---------------------------------------------------------- Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done. ----------------------------------------------------------- The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. -------------------------------------------- --------------- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. ------------------------------------------------------------ The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. ------------------------------------------------------------- Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. ---------------------------------------------------------------
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Post by Siren on Feb 19, 2006 23:08:22 GMT -6
Was watching Liz Taylor and Paul Newman tonight in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof". Big Daddy (Burl Ives) boomed a beauty of a word....
men·dac·i·ty (mĕn-dăs'ĭ-tē) n., pl. -ties.
1. The condition of being mendacious; untruthfulness. 2. A lie; a falsehood.
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Post by xenavirgin on Feb 20, 2006 5:05:03 GMT -6
Oooh, another fun thread and totally unsurprising to see our Mistress P leading in the vanguard of contributors. One of my favourite passtimes is to plot the changes in meaning of some words over time. For instance, when king Charles II first saw the completed St.Paul's Cathedral in London, he complimented Sir Christopher Wren's work by describing it as: "Awful, pompous and artificial." Meaning of course, that the building filled him with awe, that it was a structure full of pomp and that it had been made using skilled artifice. Can you imagine an architectural review with those three words being used with todays general understanding of their meaning. I think it would read; "Rotten, big headed and fake." It's always interesting to be reminded that language is a very fluid thing that evolves over time. TTFN XV
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Post by Phalon on Feb 22, 2006 10:00:18 GMT -6
I agree; it is interesting to see how the meanings of words and their usage has changed over time; slang being a perfect example today.
Some words, of course, keep their original meaning, but can also be used in new and exciting ways.
Imagine the zoo menagerie of the following...
Cows, asses, and horse's asses, (the horse is quite possessive of her ass; please do not touch). Lounge lizards. Hot chicks being carefully watched over and defended by mother hens keeping the wolves, dogs and chauvinistic pigs away. The dogs of a different sort; shunned because of ugliness. Also to be avoided are the b!tches and their sons - not a pleasant family. The beavers, of course, need special attention and should never be ignored. Not to mention the relationship between the roosters and felines, (basically because the auto-edit feature here will not allow such things to be mentioned).
The zoo is full of aquatic life also. There are the Holy Mackerels, hot tunas and pool sharks. Crabs, in more ways than one, are to be avoided at all costs.
Admission price: 10 clams.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 24, 2006 21:29:14 GMT -6
Have I mentioned recently that you crack me up?
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Post by Siren on Feb 25, 2006 9:13:10 GMT -6
Hola, chicas -
How about snakes in the grass, cocks of the walk, cat's pajamas, lovely young birds, hateful old heifers, and leaders of the pack?
Gotta get on my horse and ride, while I have a few clams in my pocket. ~Siren
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Post by xenavirgin on Feb 25, 2006 17:37:04 GMT -6
O.k. kids, here's a little mystery for you. Which two words commonly ised in the English Language are actually ancient Egyptian in origin? Heheh have fun. I'll start giving you clues if you need them. Xv
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 25, 2006 18:36:01 GMT -6
I & You?
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Post by xenavirgin on Feb 26, 2006 3:34:05 GMT -6
I & You?
Interesting choices there Mia, but think, Egypt! Where is it, what's it like etc, descriptive words and words for specific things. The oracle has spoken hah XV
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Post by Phalon on Feb 26, 2006 11:32:22 GMT -6
Siren, I owe you change, I think; a couple bucks....strapping young ones, perhaps?
Hhmmm X-Virgin...let me sphinx here a second. I'd say Sphinx, but I think that is of Greek origin. I'll start with the 'd's' and try "dry" and "desert".
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 26, 2006 20:20:07 GMT -6
I was thinking 'I' ... as in the symbol of the 'eye' ... and 'You' ... as in the symbol 'sheep' (ewe)
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