30 September 2017

smarmy

[smahr-mee]

adjective, smarmier, smarmiest.

1. excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.:
the emcee with the smarmy welcome.

Origin of smarmy

1905-1910; smarm, variant of dial. smalm to smear, make slick (< ?) + -y1

Related forms

smarmily, adverb

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for smarmy

Contemporary Examples

Thomas Sadoski should be the frontrunner to play every smarmy privileged thirty-something from now on.
‘The Newsroom’ Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble
Kevin Fallon
December 14, 2014

King smarmy Bill, Queen Smug Chilary, and Princess Spolied Chlesea [sic].
The Strange Leak of the New Exposé ‘Clinton, Inc.’
Lloyd Grove
July 13, 2014

Brad is a smarmy, popular jerk, without whom Adam would have no credibility with the cool kids.
A New Huck on the Hardcore LGBT Hudson
William O’Connor
June 10, 2014

Anagram

my arms
Mrs May

Today’s quote

Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you.

– Ogden Nash

On this day

30 September 1947 – birth of Marc Bolan, singer/guitarist for T-Rex. (Born as Mark Feld). Died 16 September 1977.

28 September 2017

dipsomania

[dip-suh-mey-nee-uh, -soh-]

noun

1. an irresistible, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drink.

Origin of dipsomania

Greek

1835-1845; < New Latin < Greek díps(a) thirst + -o- -o- + manía -mania

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for dipsomania

Historical Examples

It’s best not to be too intelligent about insanity and dipsomania and all the other hereditary details.
Dear Enemy
Jean Webster

Then I remembered our enthusiasm over the Palace of dipsomania.
The Belovd Vagabond
William J. Locke

It is, however, as an authority on dipsomania that he is best known.
The Quiver, 2/1900
Various

Anagram

amid pianos
a snap idiom
dip in Samoa

Today’s quote

In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind.

– Louis Pasteur

On this day

28 September 551BC – birth of Confucius, Chinese teacher and philosopher, founder of Confucianism. Died 479BC.

28 September 1330 – birth of Nicholas Flamel, French alchemist who purportedly made it his life’s work to decode a mysterious book, known as Book of Abramelin the Mage. Some believe he decoded the recipe for the Philosopher’s Stone, which could turn base metals into silver and gold, and was said to be the elixir of life. Died 22 March 1418(?) He was seen at least 3 times after his death, which led to rumour that he had produced the elixir of life and was therefore immortal. He has been immortalised in numerous books and movies, including ‘Harry Potter‘ by J.K. Rowling, and the ‘Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel‘ series by Michael Scott.

28 September 1864 – The birth of Revolutionary Marxism following a meeting at St Martin’s Hall in London of delegates from different countries in an effort to unify the various left-wing groups comprised of communists, socialists, anarchists and trade unionists. The meeting resulted in the founding of the International Workingmen’s Association or First International. The First International was headquartered in London and directed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels who had long stated that the working class struggle had to be supported internationally or would fail.

28 September 1872 – birth of David Uniapon, indigenous preacher, author and inventor. He is on the Australian $50 note. David influenced government decision making regarding aboriginal issues and invented a hand-piece for shearing sheep. Died 7 February 1967.

28 September 1895 – death of Louis Pasteur, French bacteriologist, one of the founders of microbiology. Invented the process for preventing milk and wine from causing sickness, known as pasteurisation. (Not entirely fool-proof, as over-imbibing wine still seems to cause sickness in some). Born 27 December 1822.

28 September 1967 – birth of Moon Unit Zappa, American musician. Daughter of legendary musician, Frank Zappa.

27 September 2017

impasto

[im-pas-toh, -pah-stoh]

noun, Painting.

1. the laying on of paint thickly.
2. the paint so laid on.
3. enamel or slip applied to a ceramic object to form a decoration in low relief.

Origin of impasto

1775-1785; < Italian, noun derivative of impastare to impaste
Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for impasto

Contemporary Examples

His colors are darker, his impasto is thicker, and his brushstrokes are quick and imperfect.
Did Monet Invent Abstract Art?
Rachel Wolff
March 4, 2010

Historical Examples

His brush knew one stroke only—his impasto was laid on at once.
Franz Hals
Edgcumbe Staley

In a photograph you are not disturbed by colour, or by impasto.
Masques & Phases
Robert Ross

All is careful, clear and precise, and there are no passages of heavy colouring or impasto work.
William Blake
Irene Langridge

Anagram

aim post
atom sip

Today’s quote

The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on Earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but only to have the law of nature for his rule.

– Samuel Adams

On this day

27 September 1540 – The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) founded by Ignatius Loyola.

27 September 1660 – death of St Vincent de Paul, Catholic priest, born in France, who dedicated himself to serving the poor. Born 24 April 1581.

27 September 1722 – birth of Samuel Adams, American revolutionary and founding father. Died 2 October 1803.

27 September 1947 – birth of Marvin Lee Aday, American rocker – otherwise known as Meatloaf.

27 September 1961 – birth of Irvine Welsh, Scottish writer – ‘Train-spotting‘, ‘Ecstasy‘.

27 September 1963 – Lee Harvey Oswald visits Cuban embassy in Mexico to apply for a Cuban visa. The embassy initially denies the visa, stating that the man was not Lee Harvey Oswald. The embassy said he would need Soviet approval. Following scrutiny from the KGB and CIA, and intense debate between the Soviets, Cuba and Oswald (?) the visa was finally issued. Oswald, or the man purporting to be Oswald, never travelled to Cuba, but returned to the U.S. on 3 October 1963 … conspiracy, anyone?

26 September 2017

parabiosis

[par-uh-bahy-oh-sis, -bee-]

noun, Biology.

1. experimental or natural union of two individuals with exchange of blood.
2. Physiology. the temporary loss of conductivity or excitability of a nerve cell.

Origin of parabiosis

1905-1910 First recorded in 1905-10; para-1+ -biosis

Related forms

parabiotic [par-uh-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-] (Show IPA), adjective

Dictionary.com

Anagram

a isobar sip
Sir Asia Bop

Today’s quote

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.

– St Francis of Assisi

On this day

26 September 1181 – birth of St Francis of Assisi, Italian friar and founder of the men’s Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St Clare and the Third Order of St Francis. Although these are all Catholic Orders, he was never ordained as a Catholic priest. Died 3 October 1226.

26 September 1774 – birth of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), American environmentalist. Appleseed was a nurseryman who introduced significant numbers of apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Illinois. His legend grew while he was still alive because of his generous nature, care for animals and the environment, and respect he had for the American Indian tribes who believed he’d been touched by the ‘Great Spirit’ because of his love and admiration for them and the gospel message he preached. Born 26 September 1774. Died 11 March 1845. The exact date of Appleseed’s death is in dispute, with some sources claiming 18 March 1845 and others as ‘Summer 1845’. 11 March is celebrated in the USA as ‘Johnny Appleseed Day’.

26 September 1888 – birth of Thomas Stearns Eliot (T.S. Eliot), poet, playwright, publisher, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, described as ‘arguably the most important English language poet of the 20th century’. Wrote ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock‘, ‘The Waste Land‘, ‘Ash Wednesday‘, ‘The Hollow Men‘. Died 4 January 1965.

26 September 1902 – death of Levi Strauss, German-born, American clothing manufacturer. Most notable for Levi jeans. Born 26 February 1829.

26 September 1907 – New Zealand declares independence from Great Britain.

26 September 1960 – Fidel Castro delivers the longest speech in U.N. history, at 4 hours, 29 minutes.

26 September 1964 – the first episode of the sit-com, Gilligan’s Island, airs in the United States. The final episode aired on 17 April 1967. It told the story of four men and three women on board the S.S. Minnow are ship-wrecked on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean following a storm. Stranded are the ship’s mate, Gilligan and the ship’s skipper, a millionaire and his wife (the Howells), a sultry movie star (Ginger Grant), a professor and farm girl (Mary-Anne Summers).

26 September 1983 – Australia wins the America’s Cup yacht race; the first nation to take the cup off America in 132 years.

26 September 1997 – the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi (in Assisi, Italy) partially collapses after an earthquake strikes the region.

25 September 2017

gibbet

[jib-it]

noun

1. a gallows with a projecting arm at the top, from which the bodies of criminals were formerly hung in chains and left suspended after execution.
verb (used with object), gibbeted, gibbeting.
2. to hang on a gibbet.
3. to put to death by hanging on a gibbet.
4. to hold up to public scorn.

Origin of gibbet

Middle English Old French
1175-1225; Middle English < Old French gibet (earlier, staff or cudgel), diminutive of gibe staff, club

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gibbet

Historical Examples

Long ago the cliff with its gibbet has been washed away by the sea.
Bygone Punishments
William Andrews

The body of Peare was not permitted to remain long on the gibbet.
Bygone Punishments
William Andrews

The gibbet remained for three years, and was then blown down in a gale.
Bygone Punishments
William Andrews

The gibbet was standing until the year 1850, when it was blown down.
Bygone Punishments
William Andrews

I avoided the gibbet which, however, should not have dishonored me as I should only have been hung.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

Fire and gibbet had been mercilessly employed to destroy it.
The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Henry Martyn Baird

The gibbet and the fearful “estrapade” had not deterred them.
The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Henry Martyn Baird

But once a gibbet stood on Wapping Wharf, and pirates were hanged upon it.
Wappin’ Wharf
Charles S. Brooks

Patch: Nothin ‘s been right since that ol’ lady hanged me ter a gibbet.
Wappin’ Wharf
Charles S. Brooks

Skull and Crossbones was too obvious, and my next choice was The gibbet.
Wappin’ Wharf
Charles S. Brooks

Anagram

bet big

Today’s quote

Man as an individual is a genius. But men in the mass form the headless monster, a great, brutish idiot that goes where prodded.

– Charlie Chaplin

On this day

25 September 1780 – American Major General Benedict Arnold, joins the British during the American Revolution, becoming forever known as a traitor. Arnold had been a successful officer. He had trained patriot (American) troops using his own time and money after the government failed to provide the resources he felt necessary for a successful Army. He led troops to victory in the battle of Saratoga, where he was injured. While recuperating, his commanding officer claimed the credit for the victory. Some of his American enemies had him unfairly charged with dereliction of duty. Arnold had invested considerable time, money and effort in the American forces, but felt betrayed and that the revolution had been corrupted. He claimed his only option was to change sides. He eventually moved to London, however, he was not welcomed there because he was seen as a traitor to his own country. He died in 1801.

25 September 1958 – End of World War I in Andorra … Andorra was not invited to the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, so diplomatic peace between Germany and Andorra, relating to World War I, was not settled until this date. Refer to 12 September 1990 for the end of World War II.

25 September 1980 – death of John Bonham, Led Zeppelin drummer. Born 31 May 1948.

25 September 2005 – death of Don Adams, American actor, most famous for his character Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) in the TV show ‘Get Smart’. Born 13 April 1923. Famous catchphrases include ‘missed it by that much‘, ‘would you believe …‘, ‘sorry about that Chief‘, ‘the old [something] trick‘, ‘that’s the second […..] I’ve ever seen‘.

24 September 2017

coypu

[koi-poo]

noun, plural coypus (especially collectively) coypu.
1. a large, South American, aquatic rodent, Myocastor (or Myopotamus) coypus, yielding the fur nutria.

Origin of coypu

Araucanian

1785-1795; American Spanish coipú; Araucanian coipu

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for coypu

Historical Examples

coypu are abundant in the fresh waters of South America, even small ponds being often tenanted by one or more pairs.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6
Various

Another animal that is at least in one respect allied to the ‘possum is the coypu.
The Gold Diggings of Cape Horn
John R. Spears

In habits and otherwise the coypu is much like the beaver, but is a smaller animal, and has a rounder tail.
The Land of Fire
Mayne Reid

Anagram

coy up

Today’s quote

An intelligent and conscientious opposition is a part of loyalty to country.

– Bainbridge Colby

On this day

24 September 1724 – birth of Sir Arthur Guiness, Irish brewer and founder of the Guinness brewery. Died 23 January 1803.

24 September 1869 – Black Friday. Wall Street panic caused by two speculators, Fisk and Gould, trying to corner the gold market on the New York Gold Exchange. During reconstruction following the American Civil War, the US government had issued large amounts of money backed by nothing but credit. Rumour had it that the government would buy back the money with gold. Fisk and Gould attempted to profit from this by buying large amounts of gold, driving the price higher. The government unloaded $4 million of its own gold on the market which caused the price to plummet. As the price plummeted, investors panicked and sold their holdings, many were ruined.

24 September 1936 – birth of Jim Henson, American muppeteer (Sesame Street, the Muppet Show). Died 16 May 1990.

24 September 1952 – birth of Mark Sandman, US musician, singer, songwriter. Founder of the alternative rock band, Morphine, which blended heavy bass sounds with blues and jazz. Sandman was described as the most under-rated and skilled bass player of his generation. Sandman collapsed and died on stage during a Morphine concert in Latium, Italy. His death was the result of a heart attack and blamed on heavy smoking, stress and extreme heat, in which the temperature on the night was in excess of 38o Celsius. Died 3 July 1999.

24 September 1990 – The Supreme Soviet agrees to change to free market.

24 September 1991 – death of Theodore Seuss Geisel, (Dr Seuss), children’s author. Born 2 March 1904.

23 September 2017

corybantic

[kawr-uh-ban-tik, kor-]

adjective

1. frenzied; agitated; unrestrained.
2. (initial capital letter). Also, Corybantian [kawr-uh-ban-shuh n, kor-] (Show IPA), Corybantine [kawr-uh-ban-tin, -tahyn, kor-]. of or relating to a Corybant.

Origin of corybantic

1635-1645 First recorded in 1635-45; Corybant + -ic

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for corybantic

Historical Examples

He laid the corybantic young lady in question upon the table to substantiate his statement.
A Safety Match
Ian Hay

But the machinery—the hideously discordant human orchestra, the corybantic dancing!
Visionaries
James Huneker

Anagram

botanic cry
abort cynic
by narcotic
cry it bacon
try coca bin

Today’s quote

Youth is the period in which a man can be hopeless. The end of every episode is the end of the world. But the power of hoping through everything, the knowledge that the soul survives its adventures, that great inspiration comes to the middle-aged.

– Gilbert K. Chesterton

On this day

23 September 63BC – birth of Augustus Caesar, founder of the Roman Empire and first Roman Emperor. Died 19 August 14 AD.

23 September 1122 – The Concordat of Worms, sometimes known as Pactum Calixtinum, which was an agreement between Pope Calixtinum and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, near the City of Worms, to end the first phase of the power struggle between the Papacy and the Emperors by granting Kings the right to grant Bishops in their territories with secular authority, but not sacred authority. Bishops then swore allegiance to the King and the Pope. The Kings could also call on them for military support.

23 September 1215 – birth of Kublai Khan, of the Mongol Empire. He was the grandson of Genghis Khan. In 1271, Kublai Khan established the Yuan Empire ruling over modern-day Mongolia, China and Korea. He became the first non-Chinese Emperor to conquer all of China. Died 18 February 1294.

23 September 1913 – French aviator Roland Garros, becomes the first person to fly across the Mediterranean Sea.

23 September 1918 – Birth of Faith Bandler. Australian civil rights activist. Her father was from Vanuatu. Her mother of Scottish-Indian descent. Campaigned for the rights of indigenous Australians and South Sea Islanders. She was a leader in the 1967 referendum on aboriginal Australians. She was involved with the Aboriginal–Australian Fellowship and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI). She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 1984 and Companion of the Order of Australia in 2009. Died 12 February 2015.

23 September 1949 – birth of Bruce Springsteen (a.k.a. The Boss), American rocker.

22 September 2017

gimcrack

[jim-krak]

noun

1. a showy, useless trifle; gewgaw.
adjective
2. showy but useless.

Origin of gimcrack

Middle English Old French

1325-1375 for earlier sense; Middle English gib(e)crake; compare Middle English gibben to waver (< Old French giber to shake)

Synonyms

1. bauble, knickknack, trinket, ornament.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gimcrack

Historical Examples

I will buy her the necklace she scolded me about at Lacy and gimcrack ‘s; it’s just the sum.
The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851
Various

A nice set you must be to give your gimcrack craft such a name as that!
Fitz the Filibuster
George Manville Fenn

The Gothic souls find fault with it, and say it is gimcrack and tawdry and cheap.
Aaron’s Rod
D. H. Lawrence

Anagram

mag crick

Today’s quote

Peace begins with a smile.

– Mother Teresa

On this day

22 September 1913 – execution by hanging of Ernest Austin at Boggo Road Gaol. Austin was the last man to be legally executed in Queensland. He had been convicted of the rape and murder of 12 year old Ivy Mitchell at Cedar Creek Road near Samford. Austin is buried in South Brisbane Cemetry. It is said that his ghost haunts Boggo Road Gaol. Queensland abolished the death penalty in 1922, becoming the first Australian state to do so.

22 September 1957 – birth of Nick Cave in Warracknabeal, Victoria (Australia). Australian gothic/alternative musician. Frontman of ‘The Birthday Party’ and ‘Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’, also having a successful solo career. In 2006, he formed ‘Grinderman’, an alternative rock band which disbanded in 2011.

22 September 2890 – birth of Bilbo Baggins, Hobbit, born in the Shire. Star of the iconic novel, ‘The Hobbit‘, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo also features in Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings‘. Note, his birthday is in the year 2890 in the Third Age or in the year 1290 in Shire-Reckoning). There is some disparity between Shire-Reckoning and the Gregorian calendar. Some believe that 12 September is the comparative Gregorian date, others believe 14 September is the Gregorian date to celebrate Bilbo’s birthday, as explained in one of the appendices to Lord of the Rings.

22 September 2968 – birth of Frodo Baggins, Hobbit, born in the shire. Nephew of legendary hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, with whom he shares his birthday. Star of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings‘. His birthday is in the year 2968 in the Third Age, or in the year 1368 in Shire-Reckoning). As Bilbo celebrated his eleventy-first (111th) birthday, Frodo was celebrating his 33rd birthday, which is the age at which a hobbit legally comes of age.