4 May 2013

aegis

[ee-jis]

noun

1. Classical Mythology . the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
2. protection; support: ‘under the imperial aegis’.
3. sponsorship; auspices: ‘a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters’.
Also, egis.

Origin:
1695–1705; < Latin < Greek aigís shield of Zeus or Athena, probably from aig- (stem of aíx goat) + -is noun suffix, from a type of shield made of goatskin

Synonyms
3. patronage.

Today’s aphorism

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.

– Albert Einstein.

On this day

4 May 1970 – National Guards open fire on anti-war protesters, killing four. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young wrote the song ‘Tin Soldiers’ about the incident.