3 October 2018

umlaut

[oo m-lout] Linguistics

noun

1. a mark (¨) used as a diacritic over a vowel, as ä, ö, ü, to indicate a vowel sound different from that of the letter without the diacritic, especially as so used in German.
Compare dieresis.
2. Also called vowel mutation. (in Germanic languages) assimilation in which a vowel is influenced by a following vowel or semivowel.
verb (used with object)
3. to modify by umlaut.
4. to write an umlaut over.

Origin of umlaut

1835-1845; < German, equivalent to um- about (i.e., changed) + Laut sound

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for umlaut

Historical Examples

The umlaut of all these sounds was completed by about the year 1200.
A Middle High German Primer
Joseph Wright

That the radical vowel was modified: for y is the umlaut of u; 3.
Notes and Queries, Number 182, April 23, 1853
Various

The absence of this umlaut points to Northumbrian or W. Saxon.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes
Various

Wing (n), ahpcha (ch guttural; final a almost as if with umlaut, short and low).
Travels in the Interior of North America, 1832-1834, Part III (the Text Being Chapters XXVIII-XXXIII of the London Edition, 1843, and the Appendix a Combination of the Appendices of the London and German [Coblentz, 1839] Editions)
Maximilian, Prinz von Wied

The spelling of the original is ‘Buwelle,’ without the umlaut, which others use.
Pennsylvania Dutch
S. S. Haldeman

For consistency with the remaining text, an umlaut was added to ‘coperate.’
Principles of Political Economy, Vol. II
William Roscher

The u- – umlaut of a is wanting, except in eawles 126; for heatel 128 heates is read.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes
Various

I suspect the last is only an umlaut form of a common Shakespearean imprecation.
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries
W. Y. Evans Wentz

There is no trace of such vocalic mutation (“ umlaut ”) in Gothic, our most archaic Germanic language.
Language
Edward Sapir

“ umlaut ” is still a very live symbolic process in German, possibly more alive to-day than in medieval times.
Language
Edward Sapir

Today’s quote

People who notice everything but remain silent are to be feared.

– Unknown

On this day

3 October 1226 – death of St Francis of Assisi, Italian friar and founder of the men’s Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St Clare and the Third Order of St Francis. Although these are all Catholic Orders, he was never ordained as a Catholic priest. Born 26 September 1181.

3 October 1925 – birth of Gore Vidal, American author, playwright, essayist and political activist. Died 31 July 2012.

3 October 1942 – Nazi Germany becomes the first nation to reach space with the launch of the V2 rocket fuelled by alcohol and liquid oxygen, which travelled 190 kilometres, taking it into the Earth’s thermosphere. The V2 was the world’s first long-range ballistic missile which Hitler’s forces used to great effect against the Allied armies. The V2 was developed by Werner von Braun (the Father of Rocket Science), who later worked on the American rocket and space program. Following the war, the Soviet Union and the USA raced to develop rocket technology so head-hunted former Nazi rocket scientists and acquired samples of the V2.

1 October 2018

métier

[mey-tyey, mey-tyey]

noun

1. a field of work; occupation, trade, or profession.
2. a field of work or other activity in which one has special ability or training; forte.

Origin of métier

French Old French Gallo-Romance Latin

1785-1795; < French; Old French mestier < Gallo-Romance *misterium, for Latin ministerium ministry

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for métier

Historical Examples

No man invents a metier without a strong element of success.
The Daltons, Volume I (of II)
Charles James Lever

He was one with his idea and his metier, and that is sufficient.
Adventures in the Arts
Marsden Hartley

Fighting seemed their metier and most of them preferred it to the monotony of working a mine.
Across the Mesa
Jarvis Hall

Our metier is not to compare, but to take what pleases us from each.
A Rock in the Baltic
Robert Barr

It spins to brave music, this peg-top, but its metier is to spin.
In Vanity Fair
Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd

He had the perfect gift of the charlatan, and he had discovered his metier.
The Right of Way, Complete
Gilbert Parker

Alas, I have been amazingly lazy; it was my metier to look on.
The Grey Room
Eden Phillpotts

“It wasn’t their metier, or the metier of their times,” said Miss Virginia with conviction.
A Fool For Love
Francis Lynde

She has the money and the taste, and with her, even more than with the Parisienne of the beau monde, being charming is a metier.
In Vanity Fair
Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd

He was not ashamed of his metier and allowed no threats nor pleas nor argument to disturb him.
In Vanity Fair
Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd

Today’s quote

Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.

– E. Y. Harburg

On this day

1 October – International Day of Older Persons.

1 October – World Vegetarian Day.

1 October 1867 – ‘Das Kapital‘ by Karl Marx first published.

1 October 1869 – The world’s first postcards are issued in Vienna, Austria.

1 October 1893 – birth of Yip Man, Wing Chun Kung Fu grand-master. Immortalised in the movie, Ip Man. Died 2 December 1972.

1 October 1908 – the Model T Ford rolls out.

1 October 1918 – Damascus captured by Arab forces under the direction of Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence) in World War I.

1 October 1942 – Little Golden Books commences publishing.

1 October 1957 – United States commences printing ‘In God We Trust’ on its paper currency.

1 October 1958 – Britain transfers Christmas Island to Australia.

30 September 2018

guiro

[gweer-oh; Spanish gee-raw]

noun, plural guiro.

1. a South American musical instrument consisting of a hollow gourd with serrated surface that is scraped with a stick.

Origin of guiro

Taino

1895-1900; < American Spanish güiro, literally, gourd, probably < Taino

Dictionary.com

Today’s quote

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.

– Matsuo Basho

On this day

30 September 1947 – birth of Marc Bolan, singer/guitarist for T-Rex. (Born as Mark Feld). Died 16 September 1977.

29 September 2018

aperçu

[a-per-sy]

noun, plural aperçus [a-per-sy]. French.

1. a hasty glance; a glimpse.
2. an immediate estimate or judgment; understanding; insight.
3. an outline or summary.

Origin of aperçu

literally, perceived

Dictionary.com

Today’s quote

If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

– Unknown

On this day

29 September – National Coffee Day

29 September 1547 – birth of Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish novelist, authored Don Quixote, a classic of Western literature and which is considered to be the first modern European novel. Cervantes is considered to be the greatest writer in the Spanish language and the world’s pre-eminent novelist. Died 22 April 1616.

29 September 1997 – death of Roy Lichtenstein, American pop artist. Born 27 October 1923.

29 September – World Heart Day.

28 September 2018

aguardiente

[ah-gwahr-dee-en-tee; Spanish ah-gwahr-th yen-te]

noun

1. a type of brandy made in Spain and Portugal.
2. a liquor, popular in South and Central America, made from sugar cane.
3. (in Spanish-speaking countries) any distilled spirit.

Origin of aguardiente

1815-1825, Americanism; < Spanish, contraction of agua ardiente literally, fiery water; see aqua, ardent

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for aguardiente

Historical Examples

They desired not to eat or to drink—not even of my aguardiente, which is the best.
Cabbages and Kings
O. Henry

We shall give him a share for the provisions, for the tools, for the aguardiente.
The Story of a Mine
Bret Harte

He readily yields to it, and tosses off another glass of the aguardiente.
The Lone Ranche
Captain Mayne Reid

Today’s quote

Silence is a true friend who never betrays.

– Confucius

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.

26 September 2018

cenote

[suh-noh-tee]

noun

1. a deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes ground water underneath, and sometimes used by the ancient Mayans for sacrificial offerings.

Origin of cenote

Mexican Spanish Yucatec
1835-1845; < Mexican Spanish < Yucatec Mayan

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for cenote

Historical Examples

For these the Mayan Indian name is ” cenote,” and they are often huge.
The American Egypt
Channing Arnold

The floor of this cenote is near the watertable but not below it.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula
Erwin E. Klaas

Dinny led on rapidly till they reached the turning in the direction of the old temple which contained the cenote.
Commodore Junk
George Manville Fenn

Probably the swallows were nesting in the cenote although the nests were inaccessible to view.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula
Erwin E. Klaas

Today’s quote

Laughter is an instant vacation.

– Milton Berle

On this day

26 September 1181 – birth of St Francis of Assisi, Italian friar and founder of the men’s Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St Clare and the Third Order of St Francis. Although these are all Catholic Orders, he was never ordained as a Catholic priest. Died 3 October 1226.

26 September 1774 – birth of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), American environmentalist. Appleseed was a nurseryman who introduced significant numbers of apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Illinois. His legend grew while he was still alive because of his generous nature, care for animals and the environment, and respect he had for the American Indian tribes who believed he’d been touched by the ‘Great Spirit’ because of his love and admiration for them and the gospel message he preached. Born 26 September 1774. Died 11 March 1845. The exact date of Appleseed’s death is in dispute, with some sources claiming 18 March 1845 and others as ‘Summer 1845’. 11 March is celebrated in the USA as ‘Johnny Appleseed Day’.

26 September 1888 – birth of Thomas Stearns Eliot (T.S. Eliot), poet, playwright, publisher, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, described as ‘arguably the most important English language poet of the 20th century’. Wrote ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock‘, ‘The Waste Land‘, ‘Ash Wednesday‘, ‘The Hollow Men‘. Died 4 January 1965.

26 September 1902 – death of Levi Strauss, German-born, American clothing manufacturer. Most notable for Levi jeans. Born 26 February 1829.

26 September 1907 – New Zealand declares independence from Great Britain.

26 September 1960 – Fidel Castro delivers the longest speech in U.N. history, at 4 hours, 29 minutes.

26 September 1964 – the first episode of the sit-com, Gilligan’s Island, airs in the United States. The final episode aired on 17 April 1967. It told the story of four men and three women on board the S.S. Minnow are ship-wrecked on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean following a storm. Stranded are the ship’s mate, Gilligan and the ship’s skipper, a millionaire and his wife (the Howells), a sultry movie star (Ginger Grant), a professor and farm girl (Mary-Anne Summers).

26 September 1983 – Australia wins the America’s Cup yacht race; the first nation to take the cup off America in 132 years.

26 September 1997 – the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi (in Assisi, Italy) partially collapses after an earthquake strikes the region.