21 March 2016
scupper(1)
[skuhp-er]
noun
1. Nautical. a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges.
Compare freeing port.
2. a drain, closed by one or two flaps, for allowing water from the sprinkler system of a factory or the like to run off a floor of the building to the exterior.
3. any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rain water.
Origin of scupper(1)
1475-1485; earlier skoper. See scoop, -er1
scupper(2)
[skuhp-er]
verb (used with object), British.
1. Military. to overwhelm; surprise and destroy, disable, or massacre.
2. Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck.
Origin
1880-85; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for scupper
Contemporary Examples
As the equality movement found a renewed focus and determination, so its opponents ratcheted up their efforts to scupper it.
How Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire Won the Culture Wars
Tim Teeman
August 12, 2014
The minister fears that now even lesser frictions could scupper the new agreement.
Taliban Slams Loya Jirga Bilateral Security Agreement
Ron Moreau & Sami Yousafzai
November 25, 2013
Historical Examples
Every port and scupper was working to ease the weight of North Atlantic that perpetually fell on board.
The Mutiny of the Elsinore
Jack London
“Here, all hands,” he ordered, and shoved his rifle out of the scupper.
Gold Out of Celebes
Aylward Edward Dingle
Anagram
per cusp
Today’s quote
If you love a flower, don’t pick it up.
Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love.
So if you love a flower, let it be.
Love is not about possession.
Love is about appreciation.
― Osho
On this day
21 March – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
21 March – National Harmony Day in which Australia celebrates its cultural diversity.
21 March – World Poetry Day. Declared by UNESCO in 1999 to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry.
21 March 1960 – Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, when Afrikaner police opened fire on unarmed protestors in front of the police station, killing 69 people and wounding 180. In South Africa, every 21 March is a public holiday to celebrate human rights and commemorate the Sharpeville massacre.
21 March 1963 – President John F. Kennedy orders the closure of federal penitentiary, Alcatraz (The Rock).