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there needs to be a word for...
Feb. 1st, 2013 05:19 pm...that sensation of "I know I saw that on the Internet somewhere, but I have NO memory of how I came across it. And I didn't bookmark it. :-( "
red is beautiful
Apr. 10th, 2009 07:27 amOK, so green is by far and away my favourite colour, but I was reading a passage about Russian history this morning, and I learned something new.
The passage was relating to the history of an Imperial Russian military unit, and a passing mention was made of its appearance in Red Square. Wait, "red" Square, during the time of the czars? I ascertained that this was a 2002 translation of a Russian text, so maybe the translator had decided to adapt the wording because he knew the readers would recognise Red Square? But how far back did the name go?
Turns out that the "red" has nothing to do with communism, or the colour of the walls surrounding the square, but because 'krasnaya' ('red' in Russian) can also mean 'beautiful'. And the name didn't come about with the Revolution--it's been there since the 1600s.
OK, so![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
soccer_fox or poliscidiva probably knew this a long time ago, and my mum could probably have told me too, being the big czarophile she is. But I thought it was cool. :-)
The passage was relating to the history of an Imperial Russian military unit, and a passing mention was made of its appearance in Red Square. Wait, "red" Square, during the time of the czars? I ascertained that this was a 2002 translation of a Russian text, so maybe the translator had decided to adapt the wording because he knew the readers would recognise Red Square? But how far back did the name go?
Turns out that the "red" has nothing to do with communism, or the colour of the walls surrounding the square, but because 'krasnaya' ('red' in Russian) can also mean 'beautiful'. And the name didn't come about with the Revolution--it's been there since the 1600s.
OK, so
soccer_fox or poliscidiva probably knew this a long time ago, and my mum could probably have told me too, being the big czarophile she is. But I thought it was cool. :-)
American friends, terminology please!
Mar. 3rd, 2009 07:01 amA British editing colleague has asked me what we colonials (my word :-) call these creatures most commonly. I'm at a loss to help her, as I don't know I've ever called them anything in particular.
very interesting
Nov. 10th, 2008 07:32 amA rhetorician disassembles Obama's victory speech and explains why it works so well (even apart from its content).
(no subject)
Jun. 3rd, 2008 03:12 pmThe weekend before last, there was some discussion of the phrase "the whole nine yards" which got me wondering where it *really* cones from. I consulted three sources I consider unimpeachable, especially when used together: Michael Quinion's World Wide Words, Cecil Adam's The Straight Dope, and Wikipedia (whose entry was almost entirely cribbed from a site called the Phrase Finder.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/nineyards.htm
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_252.html
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-whole-nine-yards.html
The consensus seems to be that:
The phrase dates from the mid-twentieth century.
The phrase is American in origin.
No one is really sure where it comes from.
Everyone is bloody convinced *they* know where it comes from.
None of those people who are so damn sure they know where it comes from have any evidence whatsoever.
So, there you have it.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/nineyards.htm
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_252.html
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-whole-nine-yards.html
The consensus seems to be that:
The phrase dates from the mid-twentieth century.
The phrase is American in origin.
No one is really sure where it comes from.
Everyone is bloody convinced *they* know where it comes from.
None of those people who are so damn sure they know where it comes from have any evidence whatsoever.
So, there you have it.
thank you, Online Etymology Dictionary!
Nov. 5th, 2007 03:52 pmDespite what people might tell you, 'shit' is not an acronym!
Another stupid folk-etymology busted...
Another stupid folk-etymology busted...
(no subject)
Aug. 14th, 2007 12:54 pmMany thanksto janewilliams20 for the link to this story about a new Scots language database. I've been dabbling in it so far and already came across an old friend, Alexander Fenton's "Buchan Words and Ways" which I recall leafing through with fascination and delight in a bookshop on Sauchiehall Street. I'd already pegged down Neil Munro's "The New Road" and "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" for purchase at the time, so I didn't buy BWW then, but what serendipity to run across it thusly! It seems like a sign that I should add it to my library! :-)
janewilliams20 for the link to this story about a new Scots language database. I've been dabbling in it so far and already came across an old friend, Alexander Fenton's "Buchan Words and Ways" which I recall leafing through with fascination and delight in a bookshop on Sauchiehall Street. I'd already pegged down Neil Munro's "The New Road" and "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" for purchase at the time, so I didn't buy BWW then, but what serendipity to run across it thusly! It seems like a sign that I should add it to my library! :-)
