Today’s word of the day has been updated with a quote from 1970’s sitcom, Good Times, in commemoration of the Battle of Hastings which occurred on this day in 1066.
14 October 2013
shrift
[shrift]
noun Archaic.
1. the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession.
2. absolution or remission of sins granted after confession and penance.
3. confession to a priest.
The term ‘short shrift’ referred to condemned criminals being given only a short amount of time with the priest to confess their sins.
These days, ‘short shrift’ means to receive little attention or consideration in dealing with a person or matter: ‘to give short shrift to an opponent’s arguments’.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English; Old English scrift penance; cognate with German, Dutch schrift writing; see shrive
Today’s quote
From the 1970’s sitcom, ‘Good Times’, Junior the Senior episode (0.46 to 1.00)
Mama: You goin’ need that education when the school turns you out into the streets.
JJ: Aw, Mama, what’s going to happen, someone’s going to pull me into an alleyway and say, “Tell me what happened in 1066; otherwise, I’ll blow your brains out”?
Thelma: He could blow your brains out with a soda straw.
On this day
14 October 1066 – Battle of Hastings. When King Edward of England died, William the Duke of Normandy felt the throne should go to him. Meanwhile, Earl Harold Godwinson (cousin of King Edward) felt the throne was his. The two went to battle with William decisively defeating Harold. The battle changed history as William brought England under Norman rule and stripping the Saxons of their rights. King William introduced three major changes, firstly, he made himself the principal authority, having executive, judicial and legislative power. (This was replaced centuries later by the Westminster System, which separates these three powers). Secondly, William introduced a new language and culture, by replacing 300 years of Anglo-Saxon culture with a French dialect. Thirdly, he introduced the feudal system in which a plot of land (called a fief) would be given to loyal followers.
14 October 1322 – Scotland forces led by Robert the Bruce defeat England at Byland, forcing King Edward II to grant Scotland’s independence.
14 October 1947 – American pilot, Chuck Yeager, breaks the speed of sound in the experimental jet, Bell X-1, travelling at Mach 1 and at 45,000 feet.
14 October 1959 – death of Errol Flynn, Australian-born American actor. Born 20 June 1909.
14 October 2012 – Felix Baumgarten, Austrian adventurer, becomes the first man to break the speed of sound while in freefall after jumping from a helium balloon at the edge of space, 39km above the surface of the earth. He reached a speed of 1,342 km/hr (1.24 times the speed of sound). He also broke the record for the highest altitude reached in a manned balloon flight.