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Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 8:58 am
by Richard Ruck
Actually it derives from the Latin word velum, meaning sail.
Wing is ala - hence aile in French, etc.
Still waiting for today's word to turn up.....
Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 12:43 pm
by Richard Ruck
And here it is......
alidade
• noun a sighting device or pointer for determining directions or measuring angles, used in surveying and (formerly) astronomy.
— origin late Middle English: directly or (in modern use) via French and Spanish from Arabic al-´idada ‘the revolving radius’, probably based on adud ‘upper arm’.
Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:05 pm
by cj
How do I incorporate that into a conversation with a three-year-old?
Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 3:55 pm
by Richard Ruck
Well, it might be of some use in assisting a younger gentleman to judge the correct distance to stand from the lavatory bowl whilst emptying his bladder........
Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:44 pm
by cj
And the girls?
Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 7:57 pm
by midget
With difficulty,cj.
Maggie
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 7:37 am
by englishangel
Richard Ruck wrote:Actually it derives from the Latin word velum, meaning sail.
Wing is ala - hence aile in French, etc.
Still waiting for today's word to turn up.....
Well I am having a bad week. Husband had a bad prawn at the weekend and we have succumbed one after the other.
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:15 am
by cj
englishangel wrote:Richard Ruck wrote:Actually it derives from the Latin word velum, meaning sail.
Wing is ala - hence aile in French, etc.
Still waiting for today's word to turn up.....
Well I am having a bad week. Husband had a bad prawn at the weekend and we have succumbed one after the other.
Get well, Mary.
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:25 am
by Richard Ruck
englishangel wrote:Richard Ruck wrote:Actually it derives from the Latin word velum, meaning sail.
Wing is ala - hence aile in French, etc.
Still waiting for today's word to turn up.....
Well I am having a bad week. Husband had a bad prawn at the weekend and we have succumbed one after the other.
Oh dear, not good.
Try to get well for the weekend.
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:46 am
by Richard Ruck
cj wrote:And the girls?
A female friend who frequents outdoor music festivals informs me that there is a device called a
'Shewee' which allows ladies to, ahem, remain standing.
Anyway, moving swiftly on, today's word is....
godet
• noun a triangular piece of material inserted in a dress, shirt, or glove to make it flared or for ornamentation.
— origin late 19th cent. : from French.
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:53 am
by Katharine
Richard Ruck wrote: today's word is....
godet
• noun a triangular piece of material inserted in a dress, shirt, or glove to make it flared or for ornamentation.
— origin late 19th cent. : from French.
Well of course, I thought we all knew that!!!!
I haven't made any clothes for a long time, so can't think when I last used the word but ....
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:58 am
by Richard Ruck
Katharine wrote: Well of course, I thought we all knew that!!!!
This sort of information was deliberately withheld from us at Horsham!
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:49 am
by Richard Ruck
A cheerful one today:
sparagmos
• noun [mass noun]- the dismemberment of a victim, forming a part of some ancient rituals and represented in Greek myths and tragedies.
— origin Greek, literally ‘tearing’.
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:28 am
by Rory
So how would you use that in conversation...
Hi there - I really enjoyed the sparagmos last night - how about you???
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:55 am
by cj
Hooray! Daughter number 1 is doing Greek theatre at school. This has immediate and real relevance. Well done, RR!!