7 August 2013

scion

[sahy-uhn]

noun

1. a descendant.
2. Also, cion. a shoot or twig, especially one cut for grafting or planting; a cutting.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME shoot, twig < Old French cion < Frankish *kī- (compare Old English cīnan, Old Saxon kīnan, Old High German chīnan to sprout, Old English cīth, Old Saxon kīth sprout) + Old French -on noun suffix

Synonyms
1. child, issue, offshoot, progeny.

Today’s aphorism

Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.

– Ernest Hemingway

On this day

7 August 1876 – birthday of Mata Hari, (born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle), Dutch dancer, courtesan and spy. She was charged with espionage and executed by firing squad in France, after being accused of spying for Germany during World War I. (Died 1917).

7 August 1964 – birthday of John Birmingham, Australian author.