Thursday, June 25, 2020

Assorted information.

1. The origins of the word 'hangover'.

    The lowest form of accommodation in Victorian England was access to bend over a rope, for the
    night, at the price of a penny. Usually used by drunken sailors who had spent all their money
    drinking. It's said to be the origin of the term "Hangover".

    *                   *                   *

 2. A.Word.A.Day 
     with Anu Garg

     The English language has lots of words. More than half a million by one count. It's just that many
     of them are not widely known. It's a catch-22. You avoid using unusual words because you fear
     that others may not know them. And people do not know those words because they haven't come
     across them.

     gazump

     Pronunciation :  (guh - ZUHMP).

     Meaning.
     verb tr.

        (a) To raise the price after accepting an offer from a buyer.
        (b) To offer a higher price to a seller on something that's already being sold to another.
        (c) To pre-empt something, especially by questionable means.
        (d) To swindle.

      ETYMOLOGY :

      Of uncertain origin, perhaps from Yiddish gezumph (to overcharge). Earliest documented use
      in 1928.

      USAGE :

      "Ms. Lively used her website to gazump all gossip sites by announcing her pregnancy".

       *             *              *

      Forbidden Fruit a Flavour Has

      Forbidden Fruit a flavour has
      That lawful Orchards mocks --
      How luscious lies within the Pod
      The Pea that Duty locks --

      - Emily Dickinson.

      One more day is gone.

      * One more day is gone. if you think of the day which is gone, this day will also go away.
      * Subbayya was not a writer, not a poet, not a singer: he was just an ordinary man in the
         village. Just a fish in a river which is not concerned with the waves that cause the turbulence
         on the surface.
      * Subbayya was the quietest gentleman in the village.
      * His daily routine was the same every day. Get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee given
         by his wife.
      * Walk up to Krishna River early morning, take bath at the same time, summer or winter no bar.
         The water temperature did not make a difference to him. Pick up a small utensil of Krishna
         water from the temple; pluck a few flowers enroute to the temple. He knew every plant on the
         streets on the route between the river and the temple.
      * He used to sprinkle a few drops of water on the little children going to school and the children
         used to giggle with joy.
      * Go to the temple, do his puja in the Sivalayam.
      * Sit in the temple for some time; watch the pigeons roosting on the temple.
      * People used to discuss about rising prices, taste of idlis and dosas in the local hotels etc.
      * Goes home, wife asks him what he wants for lunch, he tells something, she goes into the
         garden picks up some fresh vegetables and makes his lunch.
      * Both of them finish lunch talking about their grand children or children. Both of them sleep
         next to each other for some time.
      * Subbayya goes to the temple in the evening.
      * Enroute he watches the children playing marbles on the street, buys them a few peanuts and
         shares their joy.
      * Goes to the temple, sits in the temple till dusk.
      * Walks home.
      * Wife asks him about dinner, he tells something.
      * They have dinner and go to sleep.
      * Subbayya is loved by everyone in the village, if someone wanted some help, he was always
         there.
      * SUBBAYYA JUST LIVED A SIMPLE LIFE.



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. A quiet day and plenty of discussions/plans of action over the telephone with people regarding activities connected with the Reading Month activities. The webinar was nice.
      * 

No comments:

Post a Comment