Comments for The Word Detective http://www.word-detective.com Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Fri, 09 May 2008 16:29:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 Comment on Cod (mock) by Ladygwyneth http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/cod-mock/#comment-139 Ladygwyneth Tue, 06 May 2008 19:07:58 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/cod-mock/#comment-139 How egregious of me to have left the apostrophe out of "players'". I need to proofread more carefully! How egregious of me to have left the apostrophe out of “players’”. I need to proofread more carefully!

]]> Comment on Cod (mock) by Ladygwyneth http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/cod-mock/#comment-138 Ladygwyneth Tue, 06 May 2008 19:07:00 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/cod-mock/#comment-138 Anyone who has ever played D&D will tell you it is NOT a board game. There is no standard "board" for D&D as there is for, say, Monopoly or Scrabble. DMs or Dungeon Masters create a "world" that the players inhabit. Sometimes it exists on mere graph paper and sometimes it exists in premade "modules" that the less creative can buy off the shelf, but mostly it exists in the players imaginations. Anyone who has ever played D&D will tell you it is NOT a board game. There is no standard “board” for D&D as there is for, say, Monopoly or Scrabble. DMs or Dungeon Masters create a “world” that the players inhabit. Sometimes it exists on mere graph paper and sometimes it exists in premade “modules” that the less creative can buy off the shelf, but mostly it exists in the players imaginations.

]]> Comment on Bingo by bingo http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/bingo/#comment-137 bingo Mon, 05 May 2008 22:06:44 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/bingo/#comment-137 What I've read the word bingo came out of a woman playing Beano (the former name of bingo) who got so excited that instead of yelling beano she yelled BINGO!! True or not - I'm not sure :D What I’ve read the word bingo came out of a woman playing Beano (the former name of bingo) who got so excited that instead of yelling beano she yelled BINGO!! True or not - I’m not sure :D

]]> Comment on April 2008 Issue by Brian H http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/april-2008-issue/#comment-136 Brian H Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:14:58 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/april-2008-issue/#comment-136 I've become a (sometimes annoying) "glycerin evangelist". It turns out to have marvelous normalizing effects on disturbed skin, in particular on psoriasis. Skipping past the (limited but suggestive) research basis for my use of it, I suggest taking it to see if it will help, on the thinnish grounds that skin and nerves are both ectoderm tissues. The vegetable source stuff claims to be the purest, but any USP version should do. Start at a tsp/day and work up. I’ve become a (sometimes annoying) “glycerin evangelist”. It turns out to have marvelous normalizing effects on disturbed skin, in particular on psoriasis. Skipping past the (limited but suggestive) research basis for my use of it, I suggest taking it to see if it will help, on the thinnish grounds that skin and nerves are both ectoderm tissues.
The vegetable source stuff claims to be the purest, but any USP version should do. Start at a tsp/day and work up.

]]> Comment on Pretty please (with sugar on top) by Jacki http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top/#comment-135 Jacki Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:36:07 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top/#comment-135 It must have been earlier than the 1950s. It was popular in our household in the late 1940s. In fact I remember building entire sundaes and banana splits while pleading for a pony. At the age of 4, 5, and 6, I had a great deal of difficulty comprehending the word "no". It must have been earlier than the 1950s. It was popular in our household in the late 1940s. In fact I remember building entire sundaes and banana splits while pleading for a pony. At the age of 4, 5, and 6, I had a great deal of difficulty comprehending the word “no”.

]]> Comment on Pantry, Larder, Still Room by Jacki http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/pantry-larder-still-room/#comment-134 Jacki Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:26:51 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/pantry-larder-still-room/#comment-134 The "still rooms" I've seen most in my reading were for decocting nostrums. Cordials would certainly qualify, but also (and primarily) medicines for colds, coughs, "sour stomachs", even dyes. The “still rooms” I’ve seen most in my reading were for decocting nostrums. Cordials would certainly qualify, but also (and primarily) medicines for colds, coughs, “sour stomachs”, even dyes.

]]> Comment on Grand (one thousand) by JoeGottman http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/grand-one-thousand/#comment-133 JoeGottman Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:41:11 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/04/11/grand-one-thousand/#comment-133 I always thought this had something to do with the crime of grand theft, which (at least in some places) meant the theft of at least a thousand dollars. I always thought this had something to do with the crime of grand theft, which (at least in some places) meant the theft of at least a thousand dollars.

]]> Comment on Clam by Joan Jett http://www.word-detective.com/2008/03/24/clam/#comment-132 Joan Jett Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:09:58 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/03/24/clam/#comment-132 While not strictly related to the subject at hand, I am reminded of the best variant of "happy as a clam" that I have heard. It is from an episode of the old Fox Network sitcom "Married With Children". To expain just how badly things were going for him, one of the characters says that he is "happy as a duck in orange sauce". I've been using it for 20 years. While not strictly related to the subject at hand, I am reminded of the best variant of “happy as a clam” that I have heard. It is from an episode of the old Fox Network sitcom “Married With Children”. To expain just how badly things were going for him, one of the characters says that he is “happy as a duck in orange sauce”. I’ve been using it for 20 years.

]]> Comment on Burn the candle at both ends by Vicky http://www.word-detective.com/2008/03/24/burn-the-candle-at-both-ends/#comment-131 Vicky Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:09:34 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/03/24/burn-the-candle-at-both-ends/#comment-131 A candle can actually be lighted at both ends and there are old candle holders made to allow the practice. It gives twice the light for half the time. The the candle burns out rapidly, and serves as an illustration both of wastefulness and exhaustion. A candle can actually be lighted at both ends and there are old candle holders made to allow the practice. It gives twice the light for half the time. The the candle burns out rapidly, and serves as an illustration both of wastefulness and exhaustion.

]]> Comment on Slack by Joan Jett http://www.word-detective.com/2008/03/24/slack/#comment-130 Joan Jett Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:02:21 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/03/24/slack/#comment-130 How does all this relate to the phrase "cut me some slack"? Is it connected in any way to that bit of rope that is hanging loose? That would seem to be the "slack" that you could cut me. But why would I need it cut? And what would I do with the slack once you cut it for me? It would appear to come from the "careless in personal conduct" definition of slack. I'm asking you to allow me the opportunity to be less than perfect. But how would someone cut me a piece of that slack? Wouldn't I ask you to "give me some slack"? After all, I ask you to give me a break, not cut me one. Is the key somewhere in the word "cut"? Please help me, otherwise I'll be forced to accept that the phrase was originally used by a sailor cutting some type of rope on a sea-going vessel a few hundred years ago. How does all this relate to the phrase “cut me some slack”?

Is it connected in any way to that bit of rope that is hanging loose? That would seem to be the “slack” that you could cut me. But why would I need it cut? And what would I do with the slack once you cut it for me?

It would appear to come from the “careless in personal conduct” definition of slack. I’m asking you to allow me the opportunity to be less than perfect. But how would someone cut me a piece of that slack? Wouldn’t I ask you to “give me some slack”? After all, I ask you to give me a break, not cut me one.

Is the key somewhere in the word “cut”?

Please help me, otherwise I’ll be forced to accept that the phrase was originally used by a sailor cutting some type of rope on a sea-going vessel a few hundred years ago.

]]> Comment on Rubberneck by mfunke http://www.word-detective.com/2008/01/16/rubberneck/#comment-129 mfunke Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:34:34 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/01/16/rubberneck/#comment-129 Since I'm a transplanted New Yorker myself (now living in Illinois), I was interested to note that what we used to call "rubbernecking" is called "gaping" in Chicago. The early morning traffic reporters are sure to report that traffic around a recent accident is tied up because of a huge "gaper's block". Personally I like rubbernecking better! Since I’m a transplanted New Yorker myself (now living in Illinois), I was interested to note that what we used to call “rubbernecking” is called “gaping” in Chicago. The early morning traffic reporters are sure to report that traffic around a recent accident is tied up because of a huge “gaper’s block”. Personally I like rubbernecking better!

]]> Comment on Pixel by ShiftR http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/pixel/#comment-128 ShiftR Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:59:23 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/pixel/#comment-128 Pixelated was first used in the nerd world, I believe, to refer to any image whose visual quality was reduced by the perception of the pixels themselves. Later the effect was adopted to deliberately obscure images. Textbooks certainly give 'picture element' as the origin of pixel. There are also 'voxels', the 3D equivalent of 2D pixels. Somewhere out there there are probably one or more aged nerds who believe they coined 'pixel'. So why are words 'coined'? Pixelated was first used in the nerd world, I believe, to refer to any image whose visual quality was reduced by the perception of the pixels themselves. Later the effect was adopted to deliberately obscure images. Textbooks certainly give ‘picture element’ as the origin of pixel. There are also ‘voxels’, the 3D equivalent of 2D pixels. Somewhere out there there are probably one or more aged nerds who believe they coined ‘pixel’. So why are words ‘coined’?

]]> Comment on Hell or High Water by ShiftR http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/hell-or-high-water/#comment-127 ShiftR Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:46:49 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/hell-or-high-water/#comment-127 Having often heard 'hell or high water' and 'God willing and the creek don't rise' down in southern Indiana, I have to say that 'hell or Hiawatha' made my day. I might add that creek is pronounced 'crick' down there in Wayne County, while the native American nation has aleways been pronounced 'creak' in my hearing. So the 'Creek don't rebel' theory is a bunch of hooey. Absolutely impossible. Having often heard ‘hell or high water’ and ‘God willing and the creek don’t rise’ down in southern Indiana, I have to say that ‘hell or Hiawatha’ made my day. I might add that creek is pronounced ‘crick’ down there in Wayne County, while the native American nation has aleways been pronounced ‘creak’ in my hearing. So the ‘Creek don’t rebel’ theory is a bunch of hooey. Absolutely impossible.

]]> Comment on Big Mahoff by RolyMole http://www.word-detective.com/2008/01/16/big-mahoff/#comment-126 RolyMole Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:25:56 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/01/16/big-mahoff/#comment-126 What's wrong with "pavement" for sidewalk? it's been in common British usage for decades. What’s wrong with “pavement” for sidewalk? it’s been in common British usage for decades.

]]> Comment on Pixel by RolyMole http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/pixel/#comment-125 RolyMole Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:22:55 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/pixel/#comment-125 There's also "pixelated" in the sense of having some pixels in an image deliberately smeared, cleared or otherwise obscured to prevent something undesirable being seen - e.g. a face that could be recognised or a pornographic image. There’s also “pixelated” in the sense of having some pixels in an image deliberately smeared, cleared or otherwise obscured to prevent something undesirable being seen - e.g. a face that could be recognised or a pornographic image.

]]> Comment on Jacks by RolyMole http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/jacks/#comment-124 RolyMole Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:16:39 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/jacks/#comment-124 '"jacks" as slang for "police" is indeed common in the UK' - I don't think so! ‘”jacks” as slang for “police” is indeed common in the UK’ - I don’t think so!

]]> Comment on Jacks by daughton http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/jacks/#comment-123 daughton Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:17:33 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/jacks/#comment-123 I don't speak French, but isn't "Jacques" the French equivalent of "James" (Jacob)? Isn't "Jean" the French equivalent of "John"? I don’t speak French, but isn’t “Jacques” the French equivalent of “James” (Jacob)? Isn’t “Jean” the French equivalent of “John”?

]]> Comment on Crank by Joan Jett http://www.word-detective.com/2007/01/16/crank/#comment-122 Joan Jett Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:56:18 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/2007/01/16/crank/#comment-122 Now I'm REALLY depressed. I didn't take to kindly to being faced with my 40th birthday, and now I have this to deal with. I honestly thought this question was asking how the word crank (v) came to be applied to cranking a car, i.e. with a crank (n). Do you mean to tell me that it is not common knowledge that the first cars had to be cranked? Doesn't anybody watch "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" anymore? Wow. I need to go lie down. Now I’m REALLY depressed. I didn’t take to kindly to being faced with my 40th birthday, and now I have this to deal with.

I honestly thought this question was asking how the word crank (v) came to be applied to cranking a car, i.e. with a crank (n).

Do you mean to tell me that it is not common knowledge that the first cars had to be cranked? Doesn’t anybody watch “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” anymore?

Wow. I need to go lie down.

]]>