21 July 2015

incognito

[in-kog-nee-toh, in-kog-ni-toh]

adjective
1. having one’s identity concealed, as under an assumed name, especially to avoid notice or formal attentions.
adverb
2. with the real identity concealed:
to travel incognito.
noun, plural incognitos for 3, 5.
3. a person who is incognito.
4. the state of being incognito.
5. the disguise or character assumed by an incognito.

Origin of incognito
Italian, Latin
1630-1640; < Italian < Latin incognitus unknown, equivalent to in- in-3+ cognitus, past participle of cognōscere to get to know; see cognition, know1

Synonyms
1. disguised, undisclosed, unidentified.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for incognito

Contemporary Examples

Meanwhile, the free agent incognito recently sought help for “severe mental stress”.
(First Mega-Deal Is Done as the NFL’s Free Agent Scrap Begins, Ben Teitelbaum March 11, 2014)

Saa is now navigating a new life in America as an incognito boarding school student.
(Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira Vs. Boko Haram, Kristi York Wooten, November 29, 2014)

None of this makes what incognito and the Dolphins did any less reprehensible.
(Richie Incognito and the NFL’s Nasty Warrior Culture, Robert Silverman, February 14, 2014)

Anagram

icing onto

Today’s quote

If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.

– Khalil Gibran

On this day

21 July 1542 – Pope Paul III establishes the Inquisition (the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition) to ‘defend the faith’ against reformists, protestants and heretics.

21 July 1899 – birth of Ernest Hemingway, American author. He wrote books including ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls‘ and ‘Old Man and the Sea‘. Died 2 July 1961.

21 July 1970 – Aswan Dam opens in Egypt.

21 July 1973 – USSR launches Mars-4 space probe to photograph Mars.

21 July 1990 – Roger Waters performs a charity concert of the Pink Floyd concept album, ‘The Wall’, on the site where part of the Berlin Wall had stood. Approximately, 450,000 people attended. The stage was 170m long and 25m high. The concert included special guest performances by a large number of high profile artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams and a number of others.

20 July 2015

avarice

[av-er-is]

noun
1. insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.

Origin of avarice
Middle English, Old French, Latin
1250-1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin avāritia, equivalent to avār (us) greedy + -itia -ice

Synonyms
cupidity.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for avarice

I am writing it,” she tells us, “and I spill it all out on my lap like very money, like riches, beyond the dreams of avarice.
(Must Reads Allen Barra, Lucy Scholes, Kevin Canfield, Jane Ciabattari October 2, 2011)

It was the age of unbridled excess, avarice, and machismo gone haywire.
(Punk Rock-Feminist Pioneer Kathleen Hanna on Her SXSW Doc and More Marlow Stern March 12, 2013)

TopsyBy Michael Daly A tragic tale of a circus elephant who fell victim to human competition and avarice.
(This Week’s Hot Reads: July 1, 2013 Nicholas Mancusi June 30, 2013)

Anagram

via care
cave air

Today’s quote

I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion.

– Alexander the Great

On this day

20 July 356 BC – birth of Alexander the Great, Macedonian King. He conquered the Persia Empire, which ruled Asia Minor, The Levant and Syria, Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia. He then invaded India before returning to Persia. He died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon, most likely by poisoning. Died 10 June 323 BC.

20 July 1919 – birth of Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist. Hillary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Died 11 January 2008.

20 July 1969 – Apollo 11 becomes the first manned landing on the moon, with Neil Armstrong the first man to walk on the moon, followed by Edwin (Buzz) Aldren Jr. Michael Collins drew the short straw and remained in orbit in order to pick up Armstrong and Aldren later.

20 July 1973 – death of Bruce Lee (born as Lee Jun-fan), martial artist and actor. Born 27 November 1940.

20 July 1976 – birth of Andrew Stockdale, Australian rock musician, leader singer, lead guitarist and founding member of Wolfmother. In 2007, Stockdale and his Wolfmother mates, won ‘Songwriter of the Year’ at the APRA Awards. Stockdale’s vocal style has been described as a cross between Ozzy Osbourne and Robert Plant. Musically, he has been compared with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. He grew up in Ashgrove, Brisbane.

19 July 2015

jabber

[jab-er]

verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to talk or utter rapidly, indistinctly, incoherently, or nonsensically; chatter.
noun
2. rapid, indistinct, or nonsensical talk; gibberish.

Origin of jabber
1490-1500; apparently imitative; cf. gibber, gab1

Related forms
jabberer, noun
jabberingly, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for jabber

Contemporary Examples

The Gyllenhaal siblings are also a shoo-in, though I fear I would jibber and jabber —and possibly giggle—over Jake.
(My Fantasy Seder Guest List, Emily L. Hauser, March 24, 2013)

Historical Examples

The girl began to jabber, incoherently but Martha Foote passed on through the little hall to the door of the bedroom.
(Cheerful–By Request, Edna Ferber)

Are you goin’ to keep up your jabber when I’m speakin’ to the gentlemen?
(A First Family of Tasajara, Bret Harte)

Anagram

jar ebb

Today’s quote

Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.

– Benjamin Franklin

On this day

19 July 64 AD – Rome’s Circus Maximus destroyed by fire, during the Great Fire of Rome.

19 July 1553 – 15 year old, Lady Jane Grey, the ‘Nine Day Queen’, deposed as Queen of England. On his deathbed, King Edward VI (also 15) named his cousin, Lady Jane, as his successor. She ‘ruled’ for 9 days before being deposed and charged with high treason, as was her husband, Lord Guildford Dudley. They were both executed in February 1554.

19 July 1799 – Rosetta Stone discovered by Napoleon’s expeditionary army in Egypt. The Rosetta Stone enabled the translation of hieroglyphs.

19 July 1940 – Adolf Hitler delivers his ‘Last Appeal to Reason’ speech, declaring his victory and appealing for Great Britain to surrender.

19 July 1947 – assassination of General Aung San, founder of modern day Burma and Burmese Army. Father of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese politician, activist and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient.

19 July 1976 – UK rock group, Deep Purple, breaks up.

18 July 2015

panoply

[pan-uh-plee]

noun, plural panoplies.
1. a wide-ranging and impressive array or display:
the dazzling panoply of the maharaja’s procession; the panoply of European history.
2. a complete suit of armor.
3. a protective covering.
4. full ceremonial attire or paraphernalia; special dress and equipment.

Origin of panoply
Greek
1570-1580; < Greek panoplía full complement of arms and armor, equivalent to pan- pan- + ( h) ópl (a) arms, armor (cf. hoplite ) + -ia -ia

Related forms
panoplied, adjective
unpanoplied, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for panoply

Contemporary Examples

While a panoply of other circuses operated, these grew even larger.
(We’re All Carnies Now: Why We Can’t Quit the Circus, Anthony Paletta, November 26, 2014)

Just as at the weekend, a panoply of emergency personnel descended on the scene in October.
(Casey Kasem’s Family’s Top 40 Meltdown Moments, Tim Teeman, June 2, 2014)

“Destination,” meanwhile, presents a panoply of nightlife hotspots, serene beaches, and luscious vineyards.
(South African Style and Substance, Paul Laster, June 27, 2010)

Anagram

pony pal
apply on

Today’s quote

Where mercy, love, and pity dwell, there God is dwelling too.

– William Blake

On this day

18 July – Mandela Day – An internationally recognised day to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. ‘Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day’. http://www.mandeladay.com/

18 July 64 AD – Great Fire of Rome.

18 July 1918 – birth of Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician. Died 5 December 2013.

18 July 1925 – Adolf Hitler publishes Mein Kampf. He wrote the book in prison while serving a sentence for treason. Mein kampf is German for ‘My Struggle’. The book is a rambling read in which Hitler covers many concepts including what he was like as a child and the reasons for collapse of the Second Reich. At its core it expresses Hitler’s view of his plans for Germany and often blames the Jews for many of the ills that had beset Germany, including the rise of Marxism, controlling the economy, weakening the army and bastardising the white race. Throughout the book, Hitler often mentioned that his plans to combat the Jewish influence in Germany was a fulfilment of the Lord’s will.

18 July 1937 – birth of Hunter S. Thompson, American writer and gonzo journalist. Died 20 February 2005.

18 July 1950 – birth of Richard Branson, British entrepreneur.

17 July 2015

paean

[pee-uh n]

noun
1. any song of praise, joy, or triumph.
2. a hymn of invocation or thanksgiving to Apollo or some other ancient Greek deity.

Origin of paean
Greek
1535-1545; < Latin: religious or festive hymn, special use of Paean appellation of Apollo < Greek Paiā́n physician of the gods

Related forms
paeanism, noun

Can be confused
paean, paeon, peon.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for paean
If the point was to create a paean to mediocrity, then Linklater has made maybe the definitive work on the subject.
(Black ‘Boyhood’ Is Always Black First, Boy Later Teo Bugbee August 29, 2014)

He spoke movingly about his parents, got a rousing response to every paean to business success and American values.
(Mitt Romney Rocked His Speech—Inside the Republican Convention Bubble Lauren Ashburn August 31, 2012)

Shockingly, this paean to the good old days did not prevail.
(Immigration Ruling No Victory for AZ Gabriel J. Chin, Marc L. Miller June 25, 2012)

Anagram

a pane
an ape

Today’s quote

If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.

– Thomas A. Edison

On this day

17 July 1774 – Captain James Cook arrives in New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).

17 July 1976 – 25 African countries boycott the opening ceremony of the Montreal Olympics in protest against New Zealand’s sporting links with South Africa.

17 July 1979 – In Nicaragua, Marxist Sandinista rebels overthrow the U.S. sponsored government of President Samoza, who flees to the United States.

17 July 2013 – The Queensland Maroons rugby league team win a record 8 consecutive State of Origin series against the New South Wales Blues.

16 July 2015

Pyrrhic victory

noun

1. a victory or goal achieved at too great a cost.

Compare Cadmean victory.

Origin of Pyrrhic victory

Greek

1880-1885; < Greek Pyrrikós; after a remark attributed by Plutarch to Pyrrhus, who declared, after a costly victory over the Romans, that another similar victory would ruin him

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for Pyrrhic victory

But Howard Kurtz says it could prove a Pyrrhic victory that could threaten his second-term agenda.
(Obama Fiscal Cliff Victory Could Invite Years of Warfare With the GOP Howard Kurtz January 1, 2013)

That sounds like a setup for what is known as a Pyrrhic victory.
(Will Leno Be Funnier at 10? Kim Masters April 13, 2009)

Anagram

pry rich victory
rich crypt ivory

Today’s quote

Our true nationality is mankind.

– H. G. Wells

On this day

16 July 622 – The Prophet Mohammad escapes from Mecca and travels to Medina, marking the beginning of both Islam and the Islamic calendar.

16 July 1439 – England bans kissing in an effort to stop the spreading of germs.

15 July 2015

gerrymander

[jer-i-man-der, ger-]

noun
1. U.S. Politics. the dividing of a state, county, etc., into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
verb (used with object)
2. U.S. Politics. to subject (a state, county, etc.) to a gerrymander.

Origin of gerrymander
1812; after E. Gerry (governor of Massachusetts, whose party redistricted the state in 1812) + (sala)mander, from the fancied resemblance of the map of Essex County, Mass., to this animal, after the redistricting

Related forms
gerrymanderer, noun

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gerrymander

Historical Examples
Consequently, every apportionment act involves more or less of the gerrymander.
(Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government, T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth)

It was from this incident that the word ” gerrymander,” so often heard in politics in these days, took its name.
(The Greater Republic, Charles Morris)

He illustrates a gerrymander which actually made one Democratic vote equal to five Republican votes.
(Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government, T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth)

Anagram

merry garden

Today’s quote

Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.

― Rembrandt Van Rijn

On this day

15 July 1099 – First Crusaders conquer Jerusalem.

15 July 1606 – birthday of Rembrandt, famous Dutch painter.

15 July 1815 – Napoleon surrenders and is eventually exiled on the island of St Helena.

15 July 2013 – India sends it last telegram, bringing an end to the 163 year old service. Hundreds of people attended the remaining 75 telegram offices to send their final telegrams.

14 July 2015

blarney

[blahr-nee]

noun

1. flattering or wheedling talk; cajolery.
2. deceptive or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey:
a lot of blarney about why he was broke.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object), blarneyed, blarneying.
3. to flatter or wheedle; use blarney:
He blarneys his boss with the most shameless compliments.

Origin of blarney

1760-1770; after the hamlet Blarney, in Ireland; see Blarney stone

Dictionary.com

Anagram

ban lyre
learn by

Today’s quote

The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.

– Marcel Pagnol

On this day

14 July 1789 – Bastille Day – commemorating the storming of the Bastille, a fortress-prison. Parisians feared being attacked by King Louis XVI following an economic meltdown and subsequent breakdown in communication between the royalty and the Third Estate (representing the common people and which formed the National Guard represented by the colours of red, white and blue). The Bastille represented the brutality of the monarchy, although at the time it was attacked it only held seven prisoners. The storming of the Bastille led to the French Revolution, bringing an end to feudalism and the proclamation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was influenced the US President Thomas Jefferson and declared the universal right of freedom for every person.

14 July 1881 – death (?) of William H. Bonney aka Billy ‘The Kid’. American outlaw. Legend has it that he killed 21 men, although historians believe it may have been between 4 and 9 men. He was shot dead by Sheriff Pat Garrett around 14 July 1881. Some conspiracy theorists believe that Bonney did not get shot that day, but that Garrett staged the shooting so that Billy ‘The Kid’ could escape. Born 23 November 1859.

13 July 2015

cozenage

[kuhz-uh-nij]

noun

1. the practice of cozening.
2. the condition of being cozened.

Origin of cozenage

1555-1565; cozen + -age

Dictionary.com

Today’s quote

The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.

– Shirin Ebadi

On this day

13 July 1863 – the New York Draft Riots – three days of rioting by opponents of conscription. President Abraham Lincoln had enacted the draft to boost military numbers during the American Civil War. Most opponents were working- class men who resented that the rich could pay $300 to hire a substitute in the place. By the time the rioters were suppressed, there were 120 civilians dead and 2000 injured. Considered to be the worst anti-draft riots in US history.

13 July 1985 – Bob Geldof and Midge Ure organise and stage the Live Aid Concert. The concert was held simultaneously in London, UK, and Philadelphia, USA, to raise money to fight famine in Ethiopia. Similar concerts were performed across the globe in solidarity with Live Aid. The Live Aid concerts were broadcast live to an estimated audience of 1.9 billion people across 150 nations. An estimated £150 million was raised. Some of the world’s biggest musical acts participated, including Elton John, Boomtown Rats, Dire Straits, Mick Jagger, Neil Young, Sting, U2, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Joan Baez, BB King, Paul McCartney, The Who, Black Sabbath, Eric Clapton, Status Quo, Sade, ‘Crosby, Stills & Nash’, George Thorogood, Madonna, Duran Duran, Bob Dylan, and a host of others.

12 July 2015

anfractuous

[an-frak-choo-uh s]

adjective

1. characterized by windings and turnings; sinuous; circuitous:
an anfractuous path.

Origin of anfractuous
1615-1625; back formation from anfractuosity

Dictionary.com

Anagram

fauna courts
A surf toucan
cut sauna for

Today’s quote

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

– Maya Angelou

On this day

12 July 1943 – The Soviet Army commences a counter-offensive in the Battle of Kursk, Russia to combat the German Army’s ‘Operation Citadel’ offensive on the Eastern Front. It was the largest tank battle in history, involving more than 8,000 tanks, 3 million troops, 35,000 guns and mortars, and more than 5,000 aircraft, between both sides. By mid-August, the Soviets had prevailed, driving the German’s out.

12 July 1950 – birth of Eric Carr (Paul Charles Caravello), drummer with Kiss. Died 24 November 1991.

12 July 1962 – Rolling Stones make their first live performance. The concert was at the Marquee Club on London’s Oxford St.