22 December 2012

curmudgeon

[ker-muhj-uh n]
noun

– a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person.

Origin:

1570–80; unexplained; perhaps cur- representing cur

Related forms
curmudgeonly, adjective.

Synonyms
grouch, crank, bear, sourpuss, crosspatch.

Example sentence:

‘Famous now as Britain’s most lovable curmudgeon, Arthur Smith arrived at UEA in 1973 to study Comparative Literature’.

Today’s aphorism

Nya b’a’n tu’n twa’n toj chuj, ku’n b’e’x cy-elil chuj tc’u’ja.
(It is not good to eat in the bath or your stomach will grow that size.)

– Ancient Mayan proverb.

On this day

22 December 1936 – Italy sends thousands of troops to Spain to support the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War who were opposed to the democratically elected left-wing ’Popular Front’ government which comprised of Trotskyists, communists and other left-wing groups.

22 December 1949 – birth of Maurice Gibb on the Isle of Man. Founded the Bee Gees with his brothers, Robin and Barry. Died 12 January 2003 in Miami, Florida.

22 December 1989 – The Brandenburg Gate opens for the first time in almost 30 years, allowing access between East and West Germany.