26 April 2017

spear carrier or spear-carrier

noun

1. a supernumerary in a theatrical or operatic production, as one of a group of soldiers or a member of a crowd; extra.
2. any minor member of a group, profession, political party, etc.; subordinate; underling.

Origin of spear carrier

1950-1955

Dictionary.com

spear carrier

noun phrase

An unimportant participant; supernumerary : What helped me most was having been a catcher and a ”spear carrier” definitely not a star/ like last-minute walk-ons in the closing scene, spear-carriers in Valhalla

[1960+; fr the persons who appear on stage, esp in operas, as soldiers in the background]

The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.
Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.

Anagram

Racer Repairs

Today’s quote

To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.

– Marcus Aurelius

On this day

26 April 121AD – birth of Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor. Died 17 March 180AD.

26 April 1865 – Union troopers corner and shoot dead John Wilkes Booth, the man who fired the fatal bullet on 14 April 1865 that assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

26 April 1894 – birth of Rudolf Hess. Prominent Nazi politician who served as Deputy Fuhrer under Adolf Hitler. In 1941, Hess flew solo to Scotland in an effort to negotiate peace after being ignored by Hitler in various plans associated with the war. The flight was not sanctioned by Hitler. Hess was taken prisoner and charged with crimes against peace. He served a life sentence and remained in prison until his death. Died 17 August 1987.

26 April 1945 – birth of Dick Johnson, Australian racing car legend. Five-time Australian Touring Car Champion, three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, inducted into the V8 Supercar Hall of Fame in 2001.

26 April 1986 – the Chernobyl nuclear disaster when an explosion and fire at the No 4 reactor in the Chernobyl nuclear plant, Ukraine, releases radioactive gas across Northern Europe. It is estimated to have killed up to 1 million people from radioactive related cancers.

26 April 1989 – the deadliest tornado in world history strikes Central Bangladesh, killing more than 1300, injuring 12,000 and leaving up to 80,000 homeless.

25 April 2017

matelot or matelow

[mat-loh, mat-l-oh]

noun, British Slang.

1. a sailor.

Origin of matelot

French, Middle Dutch

1910-1915; < French ≪ Middle Dutch mattenoot sailor, equivalent to matte mat1+ noot companion ( Dutch genoot)

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for matelot

Historical Examples

Finally a matelot advanced—a common sailor—a man before the mast.
Petals Plucked from Sunny Climes
Sylvia Sunshine

The Buccaneers went in pairs, every hunter having his camerade or matelot (sailor), as well as his engags.
The Monarchs of the Main, Volume I (of 3)
Walter Thornbury

No excuse was allowed; and if illness prevented the man elected taking the office, his matelot, or companion, took his place.
The Monarchs of the Main, Volume I (of 3)
Walter Thornbury

We do not know whether, in peculiar cases, a matelot became his camarade’s heir.
The Monarchs of the Main, Volume I (of 3)
Walter Thornbury

I prove to you I am not; but a good, sound, safe, French matelot !
Seven Frozen Sailors
George Manville Fenn

He had been a matelot, he said,—made a long voyage, and once touched at an English port.
Rambles in the Islands of Corsica and Sardinia
Thomas Forester

Anagram

two male
ow metal
late mow
meat owl

Today’s quote

History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man.

– Percy Bysshe Shelley

On this day

25 April – Anzac Day. National day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand to commemorate ANZACs who fought at Gallipoli during World War I, honouring all service-men and women who served their country.

25 April – World Penguin Day.

25 April 1915 – World War I: the battle of Gallipoli begins, when Australian, New Zealand, British and French forces invade Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula, landing at Cape Helles, and what is now called Anzac Cove. The attack followed a failed British attempt on 18 March 1915 to seize Constantinople by sailing a fleet into the Dardenelle Straits. The Turks laid naval mines and sank three British ships. The Gallipoli Campaign resulted in the deaths of 56,643 Turks, 56,707 allies, which included 34,072 from Britain, 9,798 from France, 8,709 from Australia, 2,721 from New Zealand, 1,358 from British India, 49 from Newfoundland. More than 107,000 Turks and 123,000 allies were injured. The Gallipoli Campaign is seen as a defining moment in the national histories of both Australia and Turkey.

25 April 1983 – American schoolgirl, Samantha Smith, is invited to the Soviet Union after its leader, Yuri Andropov, reads her letter expressing her fears of nuclear war.

24 April 2017

Cathay

[ka-they]

noun, Literary or Archaic.

1. China.

Origin of Cathay

Medieval Latin, Tatar; Medieval Latin Cat (h) aya < Turkic; compare Tatar Kïtai

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for Cathay

Contemporary Examples

One airline that has already banned shipments on its passenger flights is Cathay Pacific.
Passenger Flights Must Stop Carrying Lithium-Ion Batteries as Cargo
Clive Irving
May 4, 2014

This is the story of the Jesuit who more than 500 years ago made himself part of Cathay.
James Fallows: 5 Favorite ‘Outsiders In China’ Books
James Fallows
May 10, 2012

Historical Examples

At last the game was won, the passage to Cathay was discovered.
History of the United Netherlands, 1590-1599, Vol. III. Complete
John Lothrop Motley

Yet if she did, he was sure that it would have been impossible not to use them in defense of the colony of Cathay.
Victory
Lester del Rey

Once more he talked over the finding of Cathay with the priests and the sailors of Palos.
Children’s Literature
Charles Madison Curry

If one of those titans was to be used against Cathay, Earth’s colony was doomed.
Victory
Lester del Rey

Cathay is a country where it is necessary to be very careful.
A Bicycle of Cathay
Frank R. Stockton

The humans of Cathay might try a return raid, but he was unworried.
Victory
Lester del Rey

Our hero and heroine instantly ceased their own discourse, when they found that the subject was the voyage to Cathay.
Mercedes of Castile
J. Fenimore Cooper

He leaned back in his chair, wondering where “ Cathay ” might be.
At the Sign of the Jack O’Lantern
Myrtle Reed

Anagram

cat hay
chat ya

Today’s quote

If you knew when you began a book what you would say at the end, do you think that you would have the courage to write it? What is true for writing and for a love relationship is true also for life. The game is worthwhile insofar as we don’t know what will be the end.

– Michel Foucault

On this day

24 April 1581 – birth of St Vincent de Paul, Catholic priest, born in France, who dedicated himself to serving the poor. Died 27 September 1660.

24 April 1915 – arrest of 250 Armenian intellectuals and leaders in Istanbul, Turkey, leads to the Armenian Genocide. It is estimated that the Ottoman Empire massacred between 1 million and 1.5 million Armenians.

24 April 1916 – Easter Rising (or Easter Rebellion) in which Irish republicans rose up against British rule with an armed insurrection in order to establish an independent Irish Republic. The Rising lasted for six days and resulted in the deaths of 500 people, of whom 54% were civilians, 30% were British military and 16% were Irish rebels. Most of the civilians deaths were caused by the British military using artillery or mistaking them for rebels. Fighting occurred mainly in Dublin, although there were also fights in counties Meath, Galway, Louth and Wexford. The rebels surrendered after six days. Most of their leaders were subsequently tried and executed. 3,430 men and 79 women were arrested. 90 were sentenced to death, however 15 were actually executed. The evidence against many of them was flimsy at best and with many them prohibited from defending their charges, accusations were made that the trials and sentences were illegal. There were also claims of British atrocities involving extrajudicial killings during the Rising. The executions and extrajudicial killings further fed the anger of the Irish against British rule.

24 April 1933 – Hitler begins persecuting Jehovah’s Witnesses by shutting down the Watch Tower Society office in Magdeburg. Around 10,000 Witnesses were incarcerated during Hitler’s reign, with approximately 1,200 dying in custody, including 250 who were executed.

21 April 2017

demur

[dih-mur]

verb (used without object), demurred, demurring.

1. to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception; object:
They wanted to make him the treasurer, but he demurred.
2. Law. to interpose a demurrer.
3. Archaic. to linger; hesitate.
noun
4. the act of making objection.
5. an objection raised.
6. hesitation.
7. Law. Obsolete. a demurrer.

Origin of demur

Middle English Anglo-French Old French Latin

1175-1225; Middle English demuren < Anglo-French demurer, Old French demorer < Latin dēmorārī to linger, equivalent to dē- de- + morārī to delay, derivative of mora delay

Related forms

demurrable, adjective
undemurring, adjective

Can be confused

demur, demure.

Synonyms

5. scruple, qualm, misgiving.

Antonyms

1. agree, accede.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for demur

Contemporary Examples

And so it goes again: Democrats claim a knockout, Republicans demur.
The Flapdoodle Campaign
Megan McArdle
October 22, 2012

The intelligence officers at the bomb scene do not demur from this assessment.
After Beirut Bombing of Wissan al-Hassan, a Wary Calm in Lebanon
Jamie Dettmer
October 29, 2012

But if another, more prominent name were suggested for the position, Mrs. Clinton may demur.
How Obama Wooed Hillary
Nicholas Wapshott
November 13, 2008

Anagram

ed rum
Mr due

Today’s quote

You should always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise, they won’t come to yours.

– Yogi Berra

On this day

21 April 753BC – Romulus founds Rome.

21 April 1782 – the city of Rattanaskosin is founded by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. The city is now known as Bangkok.

21 April 1910 – death of Mark Twain, U.S. novellist, author of ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’. Born 30 November 1835.

21 April 1947 – birth of Iggy Pop, punk, garage & glam rocker, actor.

21 April 1970 – Prince Leonard (born Leonard Casley), self-appointed sovereign secedes the Hutt River Province from Australia. Now known as the Principality of Hutt River, it is located 517km north of Perth, Western Australia and is the oldest micronation in Australia. Its sovereignty is not recognised by Australia or other nations. On 2 December 1977, Prince Leonard declared war on Australia after the Australian Tax Office pursued him for non-payment of taxes. Hostilities were ceased a few days later and Prince Leonard wrote to the Governor-General declaring his sovereignty based on the Province being undefeated in war. In 2012, the ATO again unsuccessfully attempted to recover claimed taxes. Hutt River has its own stamps and currency.

21 April 1972 – The Province of Hutt River attains legal status when Australia fails to challenge its sovereignty within two years of its formation, as required by Australian law.

20 April 2017

inveigle

[in-vey-guh l, -vee-]

verb (used with object), inveigled, inveigling.

1. to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually followed by into):
to inveigle a person into playing bridge.
2. to acquire, win, or obtain by beguiling talk or methods (usually followed by from or away):
to inveigle a theater pass from a person.

Anagram

given lie
give lien

Today’s quote

I was very fortunate to play sports. All the anger in me went out. I had to do what I had to do. If you stay angry all the time, then you really don’t have a good life.

– Willie Mays

On this day

20 April 1889 – birth of Adolf Hitler in Austria. Austrian-German politician. German Chancellor from 2 August 1934 – 30 April 1945. Genocidal megalomaniac. Died 30 April 1945.

20 April 1908 – first day of competition in the New South Wales Rugby League.

20 April 1912 – death of Bram Stoker, Irish novellist, author of ‘Dracula’. Born 8 November 1847.

20 April 1918 – German flying ace, Manfred Von Richthoffen (the Red Baron), shoots down his 79th and 80th victims. The following day he was fatally wounded while pursuing a Sopwith Camel. Before yielding to his injuries, Richthoffen landed his plane in an area controlled by the Australian Imperial Force. Richthoffen died moments after allied troops reached him. Witnesses claim his last word was ‘kaputt’, which means broken, ruined, done-in or wasted.

20 April 1939 – Billie Holiday records the first civil rights song, ‘Strange Fruit’

19 April 2017

rebus

[ree-buh s]

noun, plural rebuses.

1. a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables:
Two gates and a head is a rebus for Gateshead.
2. a piece of writing containing many such representations.

Origin of rebus

Latin

1595-1605; < Latin rēbus by things (ablative plural of rēs), in phrase nōn verbīs sed rēbus not by words but by things

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for rebus

Historical Examples

The Major chuckled, and admitted this might be so; his old governor used to say, “Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines.”
Somehow Good
William de Morgan

A cask; the rebus of the final syllable TON in many surnames.
The Handbook to English Heraldry
Charles Boutell

More than three weeks, and rebus Newmarketianis versatus, I have written nothing.
The Greville Memoirs
Charles C. F. Greville

Beckington’s rebus (a beacon and a tun) occurs in the bosses.
The Cathedrals of Great Britain
P. H. Ditchfield

rebus sic stantibus, what’s the use of talking about quantitative and accentual verse, as if they were really two kinds of verse?
The Voice and Spiritual Education
Hiram Corson

The rebus of the master-mason, Hyndeley (a hind lying) occurs in the capitals.
The Cathedrals of Great Britain
P. H. Ditchfield

Ita facillime quae volemus, et privatis in rebus et in re publica consequemur.
De Officiis
Marcus Tullius Cicero

One class was formed as were the canting arms in heraldry, that is, by a rebus.
The Religious Sentiment
Daniel G. Brinton

In the cases of these two gods we got the chiffre, and the rebus is still to seek.
Studies in Central American Picture-Writing
Edward S. Holden

This rebus may be found in various places where the work was due to him.
Bell’s Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Saint Albans
Thomas Perkins

Anagram

rubes

Today’s quotes

Those who suffer are not those at the top, but are the less privileged members of society.

– Bianca Jagger

On this day

19 April 1987 – The Simpsons is first aired on television in the United States.

19 April 1993 – 70 members of the cult Branch Davidian sect, led by David Koresh, perish following a fire at their Waco compound. It is believed they lit the fire deliberately as federal agents stormed the compound following a siege that began in February 1993.

19 April 1995 – Terrorist Timothy McVeigh detonates a bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring 680 people. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on 11 June 2001.

18 April 2017

ruminate

[roo-muh-neyt]

verb (used without object), ruminated, ruminating.

1. to chew the cud, as a ruminant.
2. to meditate or muse; ponder.
verb (used with object), ruminated, ruminating.
3. to chew again or over and over.
4. to meditate on; ponder.

Origin of ruminate

Latin
1525-1535; Latin rūminātus (past participle of rūminārī, rūmināre to ruminate), equivalent to rūmin- (stem of rūmen rumen ) + -ātus -ate1

Related forms

ruminatingly, adverb
rumination, noun
ruminative, adjective
ruminatively, adverb
ruminator, noun

Synonyms

2. think, reflect.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for ruminate

Contemporary Examples

What is it about all the rumination, all the anxiety that makes it so hard to sort of stand up for yourself, to yourself?
A Q&A with Scott Stossel, Author of ‘My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind’
Jesse Singal
February 19, 2014

The images feel like a yearbook of sorts, a rumination on the decade, and on three girls growing up.
Craig McDean’s Fashion Muses: Amber Valletta, Kate Moss, and More
Isabel Wilkinson
October 21, 2013

Published in 2006, the novel is violent and spooky, a rumination on madness and creativity.
Remedial Reader: The Essential Stephen King Back List
Jessica Ferri
April 24, 2012

Historical Examples

But Barbara did not flinch; and her mother relapsed into rumination.
The Patrician
John Galsworthy

A shiver, and a return beneath the blankets for five minutes’ rumination.
Cavalry of the Clouds
Alan Bott

Andy recalled himself with a start from his rumination over a possible speech.
Second String
Anthony Hope

His also was a “melancholy of his own,” a “humorous sadness in which his often rumination wrapt him.”
The Three Devils: Luther’s, Milton’s, and Goethe’s
David Masson

This a mass of foam from the rumination of deer, darkened by the juice of mouthfuls of grass just eaten!
The Kadambari of Bana
Bana

Complete dilatation is sometimes indicated by long addiction to habits of rumination.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various

Thus you find that all animals having horns, have also a structure of stomach fit for rumination, and teeth upon one jaw only.
Aristotle
George Grote

Anagram

emu train
I rum neat
ruin team
Mr Auntie
manure it
ream unit

Today’s quote

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

– Buddha

On this day

18 April – World Heritage Day, more formerly known as ‘International Monuments and Sites’ Day as declared by UNESCO. A day for raising awareness of monuments and sites throughout the world that are of world heritage significance.

18 April 1839 – birthday of Henry Kendall, Australian poet. Died 1 August 1882.

18 April 1897 – The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

18 April 1955 – death of Albert Einstein, German-born theoretical physicist. He developed the theory of relativity and of course his mass-energy equivalence formula, E=mc2 (energy = mass x speed of light squared). Born 14 March 1879.

18 April 1983 – a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb that destroyed the United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 63 people, 17 of whom were American. Most of the victims were CIA and embassy staff, a number of soldiers and a Marine. Pro-Iranian group, Islamic Jihad Organization, claimed responsibility. However, it’s believed the attack was undertaken by Lebanese group, Hezbollah, in response to the intervention of a multinational force, comprised of western nations, in the Lebanese Civil War.

18 April 1996 – At least 106 civilians are killed in Lebanon when Israel shells a United Nations refugee compound at Quana where more than 800 Palestinians and Lebanese were sheltered. Israel claimed it was an accident and that they were trying to hit a nearby Hezbollah position that had fired at them. Hezbollah claimed they had fired because Israel breached the security zone in order to lay land-mines. Both the UN and Amnesty International investigated and found that Israel had deliberately attacked the refugee camp; a claim that Israel denies. Human Rights Watch found that Israel’s use of high-explosive shells and anti-personnel shells were designed to maximise casualities and their use so close to a civilian area, breached international humanitarian law.