Here are a few idioms that have
preserved words that we no longer use by themselves. They are
almost exclusively used in context, rather than stand-alone.
Eke is usually used as to 'eke out a living'. It comes from
an old verb meaning to add, supplement, or grow. It is also the
same word that gave us "eke-name" for additional name, which
became "nickname."
Dint comes from the Old English where it originally
referred to a blow struck with a sword or other weapon. It is now
used as "by dint of something" where 'something' can stand for
charisma, hard work, or anything you can use to accomplish
something else.
Deserts, as in 'just deserts' comes from an Old French word
for 'deserve', and it was used in English from the 13th century to
mean that which is deserved. When you get your just deserts, you
get your due.
Fro, as in 'to and fro' comes from the old English way of
pronouncing from.
Kith, as in 'kith and kin' comes from an Old English word
referring to knowledge or acquaintance. The expression "kith and
kin" originally meant your country and your family, but later came
to have the wider sense of friends and family.
Umbrage, as in 'take umbrage' comes from the French ombrage
(shade, shadow), and it was once used to talk about shade from the
sun. It took on various figurative meanings having to do with
doubt and suspicion or the giving and taking of offense. To give
umbrage was to offend someone, to "throw shade".
Shrift, as in 'short shrift' came from the practice of
allowing a little time for the condemned to make a confession
before being executed. In that context, shorter was never better.
Oct 17, 2014
Hangar Hack
If your clothes keep slipping off the end of
hangars, wrap a rubber band toward each edge of the hangar and
clothes will stay put.
Advanced Technology
Thought for the day. Does technology
make us anti-social?
Before technology
After Technology
Nine Big Banana Facts
Eating two bananas can give you
enough energy for a 90-minute workout.
Bananas can fight against depression. This is because bananas contain a protein called tryptophan, which converts to serotonin. Serotonin helps you relax and can make you feel better.
Bananas contain Vitamin B6, which regulate blood glucose levels and can put you in a better mood.
The Vitamin B6 will also help fight nerves and stress.
Bananas are high in potassium and low in sodium, which helps fight against high blood pressure and prevent strokes.
Bananas can soothe heartburn because of the natural antacid effect it has on the body.
Bananas are high in fiber. This can help regulate bowel movements without resorting to laxatives.
The potassium in bananas helps you stay focused and alert.
The inside of banana peels can soothe mosquito bites. Bananas also taste good.
Bananas can fight against depression. This is because bananas contain a protein called tryptophan, which converts to serotonin. Serotonin helps you relax and can make you feel better.
Bananas contain Vitamin B6, which regulate blood glucose levels and can put you in a better mood.
The Vitamin B6 will also help fight nerves and stress.
Bananas are high in potassium and low in sodium, which helps fight against high blood pressure and prevent strokes.
Bananas can soothe heartburn because of the natural antacid effect it has on the body.
Bananas are high in fiber. This can help regulate bowel movements without resorting to laxatives.
The potassium in bananas helps you stay focused and alert.
The inside of banana peels can soothe mosquito bites. Bananas also taste good.
Dull, Bland, and Boring
Elizabeth Leighton of Aberfeldy, Scotland proposed a pairing of the Scottish town of Dull while passing through Boring, Oregon on a cycling holiday. Boring has a population of 12,000. Dull has a population of about 84.
During 2013, Dull entered into another partnership with the Australian town Bland. Seems the residents of Bland Shire in New South Wales want to cash in on humorous publicity by creating a trinity with Dull and Boring. Bland has a population of about 6,000.
Dull's name is thought to have come from the Gaelic word for meadow, but others have speculated it could be connected to the Gaelic word "dul" meaning snare. Bland was named after William Bland, the first person in the Australian Medical Association and was transported to Australia as a convict after he killed a man in a duel in Bombay. Boring was named after one of its first residents, W.H. Boring, a farmer and Union veteran who moved to Oregon after the Civil War.
During 2013, Dull entered into another partnership with the Australian town Bland. Seems the residents of Bland Shire in New South Wales want to cash in on humorous publicity by creating a trinity with Dull and Boring. Bland has a population of about 6,000.
Dull's name is thought to have come from the Gaelic word for meadow, but others have speculated it could be connected to the Gaelic word "dul" meaning snare. Bland was named after William Bland, the first person in the Australian Medical Association and was transported to Australia as a convict after he killed a man in a duel in Bombay. Boring was named after one of its first residents, W.H. Boring, a farmer and Union veteran who moved to Oregon after the Civil War.
Nutella Facts
Nutella is a great tasting spread. The
chocolaty nut spread was thought of as a great substitute for
peanut butter, but a recent study found out it is not much
different.
One tablespoon of Nutella contains 100 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 11 grams of sugar. One tablespoon of peanut butter has 94 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1.48 grams sugar. Generic cake frosting has 75 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 7.5 grams of sugar.
One tablespoon of Nutella contains 100 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 11 grams of sugar. One tablespoon of peanut butter has 94 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1.48 grams sugar. Generic cake frosting has 75 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 7.5 grams of sugar.
Bacon Brain Building
Bacon is full of an important
nutrient called choline, which helps increase intelligence and
memory and has been shown in University studies to help fight off
the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s Disease and other chronic
mental impairments. Bacon helps me to remember to eat more #bacon.
Oct 10, 2014
Happy Friday
“Life is sweet when you pay attention. When it doesn't seem sweet,
put a sticker on your nose and do a funky dance.” Whitney Scott
I have a sticker on my nose and am doing a happy dance on this Happy Friday!
I have a sticker on my nose and am doing a happy dance on this Happy Friday!
Happy Columbus Day
Monday is Columbus Day for most of the
US, but Seattle, WA., will be holding its first Indigenous Peoples'
Day. It makes little difference as Columbus Day is not an official
holiday in Washington. A councilman said it is, "About taking a
stand against racism." An opposing lawyer said people of Italian
descent are "deeply offended." "By this resolution you say to all
Italian-Americans that the city of Seattle no longer deems your
heritage or your community worthy of recognition." Seems like
politics never takes a holiday.
Bacon's Blood Balancing Bounty
Several university and
medical center studies have shown that including bacon as a regular,
moderate part of one’s diet naturally works to lower the body's
blood pressure and blood sugar levels, helping to prevent and / or
alleviate the effects of diabetes, as well as heart disease, stroke,
and heart attack.
Tips, Tipsy, Tipple, and Wingtips
The etymology of these
words is a bit different than the generally accepted (although
incorrect) stories that they come from acronyms.
Tip does not come from 'to insure prompt service'. It dates back to the 1600s and meant to give a small present of money. It was also used in thieves jargon about the same time, meaning 'to give, hand, or pass'. The meaning 'give a gratuity to' is first documented in the early 1700s. The incorrect acronym story came from an editorial in "Life" magazine from July 15, 1946, claiming the restaurant server's word tip "probably comes from a London coffeehouse custom of two centuries ago when the words 'To Insure Promptness' were written on notes to the waiter, with coins attached.
Tipsy comes from another definition of tip, from the 1300s meaning 'to knock down, topple, or knock askew'. Possibly from Scandinavian tippa 'to tip, dump'. Tipsy-cake from the 1800s was stale cake saturated with wine or liquor.
Tipple dates back to the 1500s, meaning 'sell alcoholic liquor by retail'. It is possibly from a Scandinavian source tipla 'to drink slowly or in small quantities'. The meaning of 'drink (alcoholic beverage) too much' is found in the 1550s. A tippler is a seller of alcoholic liquors.
Wingtips are totally unrelated to the above discussion, except that many businessmen who wear these shoes with a back-curving toe cap suggestive of a bird's wingtip often tipple after work and are tipsy by the time they go home.
Tip does not come from 'to insure prompt service'. It dates back to the 1600s and meant to give a small present of money. It was also used in thieves jargon about the same time, meaning 'to give, hand, or pass'. The meaning 'give a gratuity to' is first documented in the early 1700s. The incorrect acronym story came from an editorial in "Life" magazine from July 15, 1946, claiming the restaurant server's word tip "probably comes from a London coffeehouse custom of two centuries ago when the words 'To Insure Promptness' were written on notes to the waiter, with coins attached.
Tipsy comes from another definition of tip, from the 1300s meaning 'to knock down, topple, or knock askew'. Possibly from Scandinavian tippa 'to tip, dump'. Tipsy-cake from the 1800s was stale cake saturated with wine or liquor.
Tipple dates back to the 1500s, meaning 'sell alcoholic liquor by retail'. It is possibly from a Scandinavian source tipla 'to drink slowly or in small quantities'. The meaning of 'drink (alcoholic beverage) too much' is found in the 1550s. A tippler is a seller of alcoholic liquors.
Wingtips are totally unrelated to the above discussion, except that many businessmen who wear these shoes with a back-curving toe cap suggestive of a bird's wingtip often tipple after work and are tipsy by the time they go home.
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