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.