#the Latin root for “Art” is literally the word for “Skill”

[21st-century-minutiae]

MS Paint is a late twentieth century, early twenty-first century free image creation and modification application that is included by default with the Microsoft Operating System. It provides extremely limited options for image modification compared to more sophisticated options.

For example, the ability to work with layers (independent, transparent images stacked on top of one another) was not added until 2023. Almost every other image editing software supported this feature which is of great value to digital artists. The above artwork thus preceded this particular development, meaning it would have been a lot more difficult to create the image.

The context of the media (MS Paint) makes the image itself a greater demonstration of skill. In the early twenty-first century, people generally appreciate obvious skill as a component in aesthetics independent from the actual product. It serves as a shorthand for time spent, both in learning the skill itself and in creating the result. Artwork that is not visibly difficult to make is held with some scorn by those who cannot tell its labor.

ms paint study from 2021

[vidavalor]

Please tell me you think there's a word thing happening with the turnip and the inkwell because I can't make it make sense.

Hi there. 💕 Hope you're having a great week so far. I'm making spaghetti tonight, if you would like some. With fresh basil from my herb garden. 😊 I have some ideas on it below. I believe there are word things happening, yes.

The turnip and the inkwell has two levels of meaning, imo. It first comes up when Aziraphale is roleplaying his magic act for Crowley, who is standing in for the audience, which is all a bit meta. On this level, it's a metaphor for the creative process. How so? Well...

Turnips are boring as fuck vegetables lol. No one, in the history of the world, has ever craved a turnip and, yet, we'd be sunk without them, especially as they are also grown to feed the animals on which some of us feed. Metaphorically, a turnip is the boring, banal, everyday blahs of life. Common human experiences that link us together but appear uninteresting on the surface until, through some creative magic, a way to bring them to life is uncovered. To turn those turnips into inkwells through a spark of divine magic and then some human labor?

That is to tell a story. It's what making art is.

That is only one of the two metaphors at work in the scene, though.

There is another level of this, which is that the turnip and the inkwell are also a metaphor that Aziraphale came up with when creating his magic act. He created it within the context of the story of Good Omens so it has a whole, other meaning to him and Crowley.

For the below stuff: TWs: SA, PTSD

To look at a metaphor meant to be penned by Crowley and/or Aziraphale in the story, we have to come at it from a word history and wordplay direction. To come at the turnip and the inkwell from an etymological standpoint, then, is to start with the turnip-- and that means learning about the history of a word that we use commonly today to describe a heinous act: rape.

Rape is an Old French word that comes from the Latin words rapum and rapa. Best that people can tell, it wasn't until sometime in the 14th century that the word began to mean a sexual violation. Originally, the word rape was the name given to what we now refer to in English as the turnip.

At the time, rape was not just the name for the turnip but also an umbrella name for anything in the category of plants that we now refer to as Brassica rapa-- with the Latin roots still visible in there, as you can see. The turnip is still the most commonly grown plant in that category and the main root vegetable. Also in that category are plants that we now call napa cabbage and bok choy, among a few other, less common ones. Rapeseed oil is derived from plants in this category and was once, like the turnip, referred to just as rape. For a little while in the late 1800s, it was also referred to by a name I'll include here as it feels relevant: bird's rape.

In his magic act, Aziraphale transforms a literal turnip into a literal inkwell because it's metaphoric for what he considers his true skill as a magician-- helping to turn his Brassica rapa'd partner into a well (healthiness; full container; water source) of sexually euphemistic ink.

The turnip and the inkwell is the bits of the Fish meta that discuss Crowley and Aziraphale dealing with Satan's attacks on Crowley and what that all had to with ancient Rome, etc., in a metaphor, basically, and one that Aziraphale made up in the story.

Other posts involving this theme and Crowley, should you be interested: the one on Satan's abuse of Crowley; the one about the show using allusions to the myth of Hades & Persephone in this bit of Crowley & Aziraphale's story; and part of the deep dive into what it means to dance.

[gdlavzo]

Исса | Issa

NOTE: Alazavirra is my original fantasy world with its story and characters. i develop it in russian. everything i post regarding it in english is rather abridged and not perfectly translated, as it is for fun and practicing my english.

Issa was the first deity to ever take a material form to better understand azavirra (read: living beings). In doing so, she mimicked those around her: the shape resembling that of an avir (read: human) with horns and a tail similar to the ones a zav (read: animal) has and the blooms and leaves resembling azza (read: plants) on the hem of her dress. Those who witnessed her in person claim that her hair has a texture that no avir has ever touched before. Flying zavva, when they were still able to communicate with avirra on the same level in the beginning of the time, explained that this is what the clouds of the endless white skies feel like.

Having great interest in the living beings scattered aimlessly across the dunes of the Sands of Time, Issa was always around them. It was her who first understood that these dunes were not the place where these creatures could thrive - not with the blood coursing through their sandy bodies, not with the sparks of consciousness that Issa lighted in them. And so she led them all to the place of her own creation, still made out of sands, but imbued with her own power. As the beings followed her the sands crumbled under them and thus the Sands of Time began their flow.

Issa brought time and new lands to the living beings and was now known as the ever caring maternal deity of everyone and everything, the goddess of time and history. The longer azavirra lived in these new lands, the less they could understand the primordial language that didn't require words or sounds. Thus, they created a new language which was suitable for their material forms and reflected their thoughts. As much space Issa occupied in the thoughts and hearts of azavirra, as many words in this language referred to her.

As the first mentor, Issa is a maternal figure to the entire world. She also imbued the Sands of Time with her own powers, bringing new matter and materia into the world, hence why the new lands were now called materics (=continents. i develop this setting in russian language and sadly there is no english equivalent to материк, which literally translates as continent, yet has this "mater" root in it, so i guess i'm just improvising with english using some latin roots at this point).

The first such materic bestowed by Issa to azavirra was named by them as Alasseia. "Al" (from russian adjective алый-alyi translating as blood-red/crimson/scarlet) refers to the blood in the River of Life, which followed azavirra out of the dunes of the Sands of Time into the new lands. "sse" part of the name refers to Issa, by using the same sounds as in her name. The name Alasseia literally means "the materic created by Issa where the River of Life flows".

Using the sounds of Issa's name created many words associated with her as the goddess of time and beginnings, as well as the development of society and culture: исток & источник (source/rise), исход (outcome, result), история (history, story), истина (truth), искусство (skill/art/craft), etc. (once again, very hard to adapt this into english. in russian there is a prefix ис- (is-) which can be found in a lot of words)

Issa, albeit not being the creator of this world, is a crucial figure in its development. She is the first deity to ever care for azavirra to such an extent, and, even though later new deities will appear, none of them will ever come close to the place Issa occupies in minds and hearts of everything and everyone in this world.

She is the most caring and forgiving figure, yet she is also a deity which witnessed and still remembers what the world was like before the time began its flow. She remembers all the births and lifes she witnessed, she remembers all the deaths. She remembers each and every azavir she nurtured, and she remembers their misdeeds. Just because she forgives does not mean she forgets.

first time drawing and coloring a tail - very happy how it turned out :)!

the top part of the dress designed is inspired by my friend's art of Issa for my birthday ����

experimenting with the signature btw :)

i'm open for questions, comments and discussions regarding my original world, story and characters :) thanks for reading this!

[whatiscalligraphy]

Historical Script Styles: Explore Calligraphy's Roots

Historical Script Styles: Unearth the Fascinating Journey of Calligraphy Through Time!

Historical Script Styles Calligraphy is a beautiful art form that has evolved over centuries, with its roots in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. The term "calligraphy" comes from the Greek words meaning "beautiful writing," and it encompasses a wide range of styles and types from Western, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Indian, Persian, Tibetan, Korean, Hebrew, and Latin calligraphy. Today, calligraphy is still used in formal invitations, branding, packaging, and as a form of artistic expression. - Calligraphy has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. - The word "calligraphy" means beautiful writing. - Calligraphy styles have evolved over time and across different cultures. - Modern calligraphy allows for more freedom and experimentation. - Calligraphy continues to be practiced and appreciated today.

The Meaning of the Word Calligraphy

Calligraphy, derived from the Greek words for beauty and writing, carries a deeper significance beyond its literal meaning of "beautiful writing." It is a form of art that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and emotional expression. Calligraphy goes beyond mere handwriting, incorporating elements such as proportion, space, depth perception, light, and artistic flair. It is a meticulous practice that requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of the tools and techniques involved. Calligraphy has been an integral part of cultures around the world for centuries. It has evolved and adapted to various styles and forms, reflecting the unique characteristics of different societies. From the intricate brushstrokes of Chinese calligraphy to the elegant scripts of Western calligraphy, each style carries with it its own historical and cultural significance. Through calligraphy, artists can convey beauty, meaning, and emotion in a way that transcends everyday writing. It is a timeless art form that continues to captivate and inspire people today. Whether you're a calligraphy enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of the written word, exploring the meaning and history of calligraphy can deepen your understanding and appreciation for this ancient art. "Calligraphy is not just about writing beautifully; it is about creating an emotional connection through the written word." - Unknown The Artistry of Calligraphy Calligraphy is both a skill and an art. It requires precision, attention to detail, and a keen eye for aesthetics. Each stroke, curve, and loop is carefully crafted to create harmonious letterforms that convey both meaning and beauty. Calligraphers often spend years honing their skills and mastering the techniques of their chosen script. However, calligraphy is not limited to traditional scripts and styles. Modern calligraphy has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic form of expression, allowing artists to experiment with new letterforms, tools, and styles. It blends traditional calligraphy techniques with contemporary influences, resulting in a unique fusion of the old and the new. Whether you're drawn to the elegance of traditional scripts or the expressive freedom of modern calligraphy, the artistry of calligraphy offers endless opportunities for creativity and personal expression. Traditional Calligraphy Scripts Modern Calligraphy Styles Gothic Brush Calligraphy Italic Watercolor Lettering Uncial Typography Calligraphy Whether you're an aspiring calligrapher or an admirer of the art form, the meaning of calligraphy extends far beyond its literal definition. It represents a fusion of skill, beauty, and creativity, inviting us to explore the possibilities of the written word.

Calligraphy Through the Years

Calligraphy, as an art form, has a fascinating history that spans centuries and continents. It has gone through various stages of evolution, adapting to different cultural influences and technological advancements. From its humble beginnings as pictograms and ideographs in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia, calligraphy has transformed into intricate scripts and writing systems in China, Europe, and beyond. Let's explore the evolution of calligraphy and delve into its rich history. Evolution of Calligraphy In ancient Egypt, calligraphy began with hieroglyphs, a system of symbols that represented sounds and concepts. These hieroglyphs gradually developed into more refined scripts, such as hieratic and demotic, which were used for everyday writing. Similarly, in Mesopotamia, cuneiform writing emerged as one of the earliest forms of writing, consisting of wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets. These early scripts laid the foundation for calligraphy as an artistic form of expression. In China, calligraphy has been considered a highly respected art form for thousands of years. It involves using a brush and ink to create strokes and characters, with an emphasis on the balance, rhythm, and flow of each stroke. Chinese calligraphy encompasses different styles such as seal script, clerical script, regular script, running script, and cursive script. Each style has its own unique characteristics and historical significance, reflecting the cultural and artistic development of China over the centuries. In Europe, calligraphy took various forms throughout history. The Gothic script, characterized by its intricate and angular letters, dominated during the Middle Ages. The Renaissance period brought a revival of classical styles, with greater emphasis on proportion, symmetry, and beauty. With the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, the popularity of handwritten books declined, but calligraphy continued to be practiced by scribes and monks. In modern times, calligraphy has experienced a resurgence as artists explore new styles, techniques, and mediums. Region Example Scripts Egypt Hieroglyphs, Hieratic, Demotic Mesopotamia Cuneiform China Seal script, Clerical script, Regular script, Running script, Cursive script Europe Gothic script, Renaissance script These are just a few examples of the diverse range of calligraphy styles and scripts that have developed over time. Each region and culture has contributed to the evolution of calligraphy, adding new techniques, tools, and artistic expressions to the art form. As calligraphy continues to evolve, it remains a timeless and cherished form of visual communication. Whether used in formal invitations, branding, packaging, or as a personal artistic expression, calligraphy embodies the beauty and skill of handwriting. It is a testament to the human ability to transform mere words into works of art.

Calligraphy Hand Categories and Scripts

Calligraphy scripts can be classified into different hand categories, each with its own unique characteristics and historical context. These categories represent the various styles used throughout history, showcasing the evolution of calligraphy across different regions and time periods. 1. Roman and Late Roman Scripts In the Roman and late Roman script category, several styles were prevalent. These include Imperial Capitals, Rustic Capitals, and Square Capitals. These scripts were characterized by their bold letterforms and distinct architectural style, often used for inscriptions and monumental purposes. 2. Insular and National Scripts In the Insular and National script category, Insular Majuscules and Insular Minuscule were prominent. These scripts emerged in the British Isles and were influenced by Celtic and Irish artistic traditions. Insular scripts were known for their intricate knotwork and highly decorative letterforms. 3. Caroline and Early Gothic Scripts The Caroline and Early Gothic script category included Caroline Minuscules and Early Gothic scripts. Caroline Minuscules, developed during the Carolingian period, featured more rounded and legible letterforms. Early Gothic scripts, such as Textura Quadrata and Textura Prescisus, emerged in the 12th century and were characterized by their dense, vertical strokes. 4. Gothic Scripts Gothic scripts encompass a range of styles, including Textura Quadrata, Textura Prescisus, Gothic Capitals, Lombardic Capitals, Bastard Secretary, Bâtarde, and Fraktur. These scripts were widely used in Europe from the 13th to the 15th century and are known for their intricate details, sharp serifs, and vertical emphasis. 5. Italian and Humanist Scripts Italian and humanist scripts include Rotunda, Rotunda Capitals, Humanist Minuscule, Italic, and Humanist Capitals. These scripts emerged during the Italian Renaissance and were influenced by classical Roman letterforms. Italian scripts are known for their elegant and flowing curves, while humanist scripts emphasized legibility and clarity. 6. Post-Renaissance Scripts Post-Renaissance scripts feature Copperplate and Copperplate Capitals. Copperplate script, developed in the 17th century, is characterized by its elegant and elaborate cursive style. It became popular for formal documents, invitations, and certificates due to its refined appearance. These calligraphy hand categories and scripts showcase the diversity and historical significance of calligraphy as an art form. Each style has its own unique characteristics, techniques, and cultural context, contributing to the richness of calligraphic traditions. Hand Category Script Styles Roman and Late Roman Imperial Capitals, Rustic Capitals, Square Capitals Insular and National Insular Majuscules, Insular Minuscule Caroline and Early Gothic Caroline Minuscules, Early Gothic Gothic Textura Quadrata, Textura Prescisus, Gothic Capitals, Lombardic Capitals, Bastard Secretary, Bâtarde, Fraktur Italian and Humanist Rotunda, Rotunda Capitals, Humanist Minuscule, Italic, Humanist Capitals Post-Renaissance Copperplate, Copperplate Capitals These hand categories and scripts provide a glimpse into the historical development of calligraphy and the diverse styles that emerged across different cultures and time periods. Through the mastery of these scripts, calligraphers were able to create stunning works of art that continue to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.

The Evolution of Letterforms

One of the fascinating aspects of calligraphy is the evolution of letterforms over time. As calligraphy developed in different cultures and artistic movements, the shapes and styles of letters underwent significant transformations. These changes were influenced by factors such as the available tools, cultural preferences, and the artistic vision of calligraphers. During the Celtic and Gothic periods, calligraphers worked with small pens made of feather quills, resulting in intricate and delicate letterforms. The Renaissance period brought a revival of classical inspiration, with calligraphers drawing inspiration from carved capitals and pen capitals. The invention of movable type and the printing press brought a shift in the role of calligraphy, but it continued to be practiced and appreciated. "The evolution of letterforms in calligraphy showcases the ingenuity and adaptability of the art form. From the small, intricate letters of religious manuscripts to the elegant and flowing copperplate script, calligraphers have constantly pushed the boundaries of letter design." Table: Evolution of Calligraphy Letterforms Period Letterforms Description Celtic and Gothic Intricate and delicate Small pens made of feather quills Renaissance Classical inspiration Inspired by carved capitals and pen capitals Movable Type Era Printing press influence Shift in the role of calligraphy One influential figure in the evolution of calligraphy letterforms is Edward Johnston, who developed the Foundational Hand. This script played a significant role in defining the mechanics of calligraphy and set the foundation for modern calligraphy styles. Johnston's work influenced countless calligraphers and continues to inspire new generations. Modern calligraphy has further expanded the possibilities of letterforms, allowing artists and calligraphers to experiment with new styles, strokes, and tools. The combination of traditional techniques and contemporary artistic expression has resulted in a vibrant and diverse range of letterforms in modern calligraphy. The evolution of letterforms in calligraphy reflects the ever-changing nature of art and design. It demonstrates the creative innovation of calligraphers throughout history and showcases the timeless beauty of this ancient art form.

The History of Copperplate

Copperplate is a style of calligraphy that emerged in the 17th century, characterized by its extreme cursive script and linked letters. It takes its name from copperplate engraving, a popular technique during that time. The elegance and versatility of Copperplate script quickly made it widely practiced and appreciated. Although Copperplate calligraphy was prominent during the 17th century, its roots can be traced back to the Italian Renaissance. The script was highly influenced by the stylish handwriting of Italian scribes, who used a pointed metal nib to create the fluid, interconnected letters. As one of the most ornate and decorative calligraphy styles, Copperplate is often associated with formal and elegant occasions. It is commonly used for formal invitations, certificates, and other high-end applications where a sophisticated aesthetic is desired. The Characteristics of Copperplate Calligraphy "Copperplate calligraphy is known for its flowing, delicate lines and highly connected letters. The script is written with a pointed pen, which allows for both thick and thin strokes, creating a visual contrast on the page." The slanted letterforms of Copperplate calligraphy give it a graceful and dynamic appearance. The script requires a high level of control and precision to achieve the desired effect, making it a favorite among skilled calligraphers. In recent years, Copperplate calligraphy has experienced a resurgence in popularity, as more people embrace the beauty and craftsmanship of traditional handwriting. It continues to be practiced by calligraphers and artists around the world, who incorporate modern adaptations and personal styles into their Copperplate creations.

Modern Calligraphy

Modern calligraphy is an exciting evolution of traditional calligraphy styles, offering a fresh and contemporary approach to this timeless art form. It combines the fundamentals of calligraphy with personal creativity and expression, allowing artists to explore new letterforms, techniques, and tools. Unlike traditional calligraphy scripts that follow strict rules and structures, modern calligraphy embraces a more relaxed and experimental approach. Artists have the freedom to play with letter shapes, sizes, and connections, creating unique and dynamic compositions. This versatility has made modern calligraphy a popular choice among designers, artists, and individuals looking to add a touch of elegance to their projects. One of the defining characteristics of modern calligraphy is the use of a variety of writing instruments. While traditional calligraphy typically relies on dip pens and brushes, modern calligraphers often explore different tools like brush pens, markers, or even unconventional materials to achieve their desired effects. With modern calligraphy, there are endless possibilities for creativity and self-expression. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced calligrapher, exploring modern calligraphy can be a rewarding journey that allows you to develop your own unique style and leave your mark on the world. Styles of Modern Calligraphy Modern calligraphy encompasses a variety of styles, each with its own distinct characteristics and aesthetics. Some popular styles include: - Brush Calligraphy: Using a brush pen or brush tool to create bold and expressive letterforms. - Watercolor Calligraphy: Combining calligraphy with watercolor painting to create beautiful and vibrant compositions. - Digitized Calligraphy: Creating calligraphy digitally using graphic design software and tablets. - Flourished Calligraphy: Adding decorative flourishes and embellishments to letterforms, creating an elegant and ornate look. These are just a few examples, and modern calligraphy allows for endless experimentation and innovation. It's an exciting time to explore this art form and discover your own unique voice within the world of calligraphy.

The Different Types of Calligraphy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU-dHTEkAx0 If you're fascinated by the art of calligraphy, you'll be delighted to discover the wide array of calligraphy styles from around the world. Each type of calligraphy has its own unique characteristics and techniques, making it a rich and diverse art form to explore. Let's take a closer look at some of the most prominent calligraphy styles: Western Calligraphy - Gothic: Known for its intricate and ornate letterforms, Gothic calligraphy originated in Europe during the medieval period. - Italic: Derived from the Renaissance period, Italic calligraphy features elegant and flowing letterforms. - Uncial: This ancient form of calligraphy is characterized by its rounded and uniform letterforms. - Copperplate: With its highly cursive script and intricate letterforms, Copperplate calligraphy became popular in the 17th century. Chinese Calligraphy - Regular Script: Also known as Kaishu, this style is characterized by its balanced and symmetrical letterforms. - Running Script: Known as Xingshu, Running Script combines elements of cursive and regular script, resulting in a more fluid and dynamic style. - Cursive Script: Referred to as Caoshu, Cursive Script features highly simplified and connected letterforms, creating a sense of energy and spontaneity. - Seal Script: Used primarily for seals and stamps, Seal Script is a highly stylized form of calligraphy that evolved from ancient Chinese characters. Arabic Calligraphy - Naskh: Known for its legibility and rounded letterforms, Naskh is one of the most widely used calligraphy styles in the Islamic world. - Thuluth: With its elongated and elegant letterforms, Thuluth calligraphy is often used for decorative purposes. Read the full article

[high5nerd]

Vorfreude

Aay, my first (at the time) Pitch x Reader one-shot!

Don’t fook your professors, folks.

“When understanding the root words of our modern day languages, it can be daunting to fully comprehend the detail such a language as English can be intertwined with a multitude of other languages long forgotten,”

Dr. Pitchiner was certainly entrancing when he spoke at the podium, flourishing a hand at the list of most common prefixes and suffixes used in today’s modern English, along with a surprise list of obscure ones you knew you had to take note on. Dr. Pitchiner wasn’t one to give easy exams, the last exam was so gruelling someone almost passed out from a panic attack at the multitude of pages.

Despite enjoying writing yourself, you weren’t as invested in English as he was, which was a given, hence the reason his PhD in English as well as a degree in Latin Translation. Many times he’s journeyed to Italy to help assist scholars in finding new information on the lost civilizations of Rome, Sicily, and Pompeii, and that credit alone was the sole reason he got the job at this state college. He should have been employed at universities like Harvard or Yale, or even Oxford or Princeton, but yet here he was, teaching at your simple state college with an acceptance rate of 93% and the highest transferring stat in all of your state.

   Not a lot of students found him attractive like you did. Certainly there was more than a couple handfuls of girls, pockets of them, who’ve admired his lithe figure, his graceful movements and that firm ass that was way too snug in his black slacks. Most of them admired his physique from afar, some even daring others to get closer to flirt with him shamelessly, and usually that ended up with a bad memory for the attempted action, as well as the girl who tried to drop the class out of utter embarrassment at such a call out after class that could be heard around the hall.

   Dr. Kozmotis Pitchiner took no bullshit from anyone, and that’s the main reason your heart fluttered at the thought and sight of him. This class wasn’t the first time you two had met face to face either, shockingly. Quite hilariously, the first time you two met, you didn’t even like him.

Three years ago, you were an itty bitty freshman just like the ones that recently arrived this semester, and to the best of your luck, you scored almost five hours of total free time on Mondays and Wednesdays before your Intro to Biology class and Intro to Psychology course after lunch.

Why not explore the gorgeous campus during those five hours? It would get you more acquainted with your surroundings and in small cases, make new friends! Grabbing a can of fruit juice and a danish from the dining hall, you munched as you explored the massive quad before discovering where the art gallery was, venturing towards the art and theatre buildings you’d be in the next year for your art perspective requirements. You found yourself meandering in the photograph-covered walled hallway of the English department, unknowingly headed towards the campus’s own local newspaper headquarters when a voice startled you from your entrancement with your journey.

“Hey. Where do you think you’re going?” a voice matching the texture of velvet came.

You turn around, frowning at the sudden startling noise. There just feet away from you, emerged from his office was a man dressed in what you would consider funeral appropriate attire, a smooth black suit with a basic black tie, and shiny black dress shoes that looked like they could reflect sunlight and somehow cause a car accident if he walked outside.

“I’m exploring. Where do you think you’re going?” you shot back, taking a long sip of your fruit juice.

You were mildly surprised to see a smirk cross his devious lips, his silver-gold eyes narrowing at your sass. He almost looked amused at your attitude, even enough so that his tensed shoulders relaxed, but his arms still remained folded over his chest.

“At the moment, I’m going wherever you think you’re headed, which should be in the opposite direction you’re headed.”

Ooh, he likes playing word games. You took another sip and then took a big bite of your danish, not caring about how childish you were coming off to him. You pointed towards the hallway, “Why can’t I go down there?”

He gestured his head in the same direction, “It’s merely copy rooms and computer labs meant for the Daily Mascot Oracle. Nothing worth checking out.”

“Oh. That’s a shit title.” you commented.

He barked out a heartwarming laugh. You grin at him, glad he finally was capable of taking that stick out of his ass and be a decent human being. Almost three times so far in just two days you got two people to really dislike your presence and your sassy attitude, someone named Bunnymund and another elfish looking kid named Jack who’s definition of fun didn’t match yours at all.

“I certainly didn’t agree to it either, but the editor in chief made sure my vote was outnumbered,” he hesitated, thinking quickly before glancing at you, “Are you a freshman?”

You nodded, knowing what he would ask next, “Majoring in psychology with hopefully a minor in alternative medicine and therapy.”

He looked genuinely impressed, “I must say, it’s quite refreshing to have a new student under that field. Not a lot of freshmen choose that whilst entering for their first year. What makes you like that field of study so much?”

You shrugged with a smile, “I like the whole concept of the human mind and how it functions on an emotional state. It’s interesting how certain actions and emotions can create feelings inside us, and I especially love the study of dreams and fears and hopes. I want to do a project on dream therapy for my senior thesis when it comes time to that, but I doubt they’ll let me. Professor Oren didn’t like hearing me say that at orientation.”

Dr. Pitchiner nodded, “Oren doesn’t really believe in the science behind dreams, and certainly not the spirituality behind it if you believe in that sort of thing. I certainly do.”

“You do?” you were genuinely surprised, literally taken aback. You wouldn’t have considered such an eloquent, smooth and finely dressed man to believe in a spirituality. He reeked of realist to you, you certainly weren’t expecting that.

He nodded again, “Of course. It’s only natural for the human psyche to become understandable to a certain degree, and it’s been proven through many other cultures that such things exist, like the sixth sense or empathy or precognition. Why not in dream analyzation? It’s fascinating, I’m glad you’re interested in it. If I wasn’t an English professor I would immediately return to college to take advantage of that.”

That’s when you realized how gold his eyes were, how they sparkled like the richest coins ever discovered in the vastness of the sunken world of ships at the bottom of the ocean. His eyes gave away intense wisdom, feeling and intellect that you felt the need to learn from. You needed to unlock every part of him to see beyond that gaze he gave you with that strange upturn at the corner of his devilish mouth.

Sure enough, you eventually found yourself in his class a couple years later for your required English Analysis course, and the both of you took advantage of that. You found yourself wandering back to his office between classes and office hours, knowing full well no one visited him nor had the courage to due to his harshness in class and strict code he sticks to in not forming attachments to the student body. For you, somehow you were able to break that barrier and see a different kind of man than what people upfront knew him as.

Your friend Katherine is your first and only senior friend at the university, and from her story when you signed up for his course at the beginning of the year, he was known to be callous and strict, such a polar opposite to leniency that even if you were sick with proof of illness, he wouldn’t accept that as an excused absence unless you flourished a medical note from a doctor to him. Everyone feared him, but admired him from afar since he’s the only professor to actually cut down on the bullshitters and slackers in class, and is one of the most respected professors there because of his adventures in Italy as a historian as well as a translator.

You, however, knew him as a sarcastic, good humored intellect with an avid thirst for learning the unknown, and unlocking skills he’s never attempted. From the times you would visit his office or bump into each other in the hallways and have small talk, you learned that at one point in his life he was just as brash, brazen and impulsive as you are now. Before he considered becoming a professor, he was eager to study what you were studying in now, especially the study of phobias and humans’ reactions to certain fear-triggering events or objects. You were the only one that’s ever heard him snort at a god-awful joke you would attempt at, and the only one that’s ever seen him grin at you in such a way it made your stomach flip and flutter.

Perhaps you exposed yourself too much to him, or perhaps he was just so relatable you felt like you sometimes felt like you were talking to a part of yourself you’ve never discovered before. It slightly scared you how much he knew about you and it wasn’t even the end of the fall semester, but you trusted him in ways you’ve never trusted another before. He always promised you absolute confidentiality with your confessions to him, most out of pure merriment and in the goal of a strengthened friendship, like when you told him when you were fourteen you tried blending into the popular clique but still found yourself drawn to the nerds and theater kids once more. He once gave you such a dubious smirk at the notion of you once being the stereotypical geek, with what you claimed to be the unattractive flat hair, braces and awkward gait.

“I can hardly believe that of you.” he chuckled.

“Why? You can kinda tell, don’t lie.” you winked teasingly.

He tilted his head in his hand at you, looking your figure up and down so slowly and languidly that it made your face heat up with a sudden thrill you haven’t felt in a long time.

“Whoever you were before has grew into a fine young woman, that’s most of what I can see.” he looked at you seriously, his eyes hard with truth.

Ever since that you realized that the idea of him being closer than what you two already were was something else you wanted. You thirsted for it, like an obsession. Unhealthy, you weren’t sure, but you were careful not to give yourself away to him, in fear that it would destroy that friendship you two already had. Without anyone’s knowledge but his, you both called each other by your first names. You called him Koz, and he called you by the nickname you wanted him to call you.

Even just watching him write on the board, hearing his voice wrap you lovingly in it’s deep musical tones made your legs tighten in excitement. You furrowed your brows, trying to ignore the incoming thoughts of his voice saying your name like a mantra as you wrote down everything being scribbled on the board.

The guy next to you noticed your discomfort, and nudged his elbow with yours. You looked at him, affronted, “What?”

“You look pissed. You okay?” he looked suspicious.

“Shut up, I’m fine.”

“(y/n).”

Your blood froze, looking up at him in pure fear at being called out in front of class. His hands were folded behind his back, his eyes lingering on you and only you. The class stared at you, nearly a thousand eyes focused on your nervous leg bouncing and the pen in your hand being crushed by the amount of attention drawn onto you.

“I see you have already started to discuss with Stephen,” you could swear to the moon above he smirked ruefully, “Would you like to tell us what the definition of vorfreude is?”

You gulped quickly before looking down at your paper, noticing that the last couple notes were not even notes, they were sinful descriptions of what you wanted him to do to your mouth and in between your thighs. Your face grew incredibly red to the point it prickled your skin as you stood up. You never broke eye contact with him. You can’t be weak now.

“Vorfreude is a German word to define a type of intense anticipation of imagining future pleasures.”

He nodded, his smirk subsiding to something even darker at the moment you uttered the word ‘future’, “Excellent. Glad to see you’re still paying attention despite your distractions.”

Some people snickered at your red face deepening in color as you plopped back down in your seat. By now Koz was shuffling the exams collected last week, freshly graded and corrections that could leave someone in tears if not taken lightly.

As he passed around the graded exams going over the class’s weak points and what to look forward to for the next midterm, you doodled a bit more in your notebook and wrote more lines of absolute sin into a poetic verse, something E. E. Cummings would be absolutely proud of.

You read over your lines, admiring the visual rhymes as well as the absolute clear imagery of being locked into him, his arms like a vice as he would pull your hair and bite at the sensitive parts of your neck, and even now you squirmed at the daydream of such a carnal act going on in his office. More than anything, more than just impressing him with your knowledge and sharp tongue would be for him to pin you to the desk and make you cry out his name in ecstasy as your legs would quiver with release. You bit your lip as you tightened your grip on your sweatshirt, trying your damn hardest not to accidentally make a noise.

That’s when you noticed the shadow lurking over you.

You froze. Your entire body became still with horror and your blood turned cold as Koz read over your carnal poem and observed your lewd doodles with a casual eye as he handed you your exam. You reached out for it with a shaking hand and slowly placed it over the notebook page, knowing it was too late to hide the damage.

“Please see me after class about your note-taking.”

You nodded, trying to fight tears from the utter embarrassment as he finished handing out the exams. You close your notebook in disgust with yourself. Koz continues the class until 5:45, the usual time it ends when everyone wastes no time in dilly dallying and immediately leaving, most if not all heading to the dining hall for dinner. You, planning to indulge in just a minor dinner consisting of cereal or soup out of embarrassment and sadness, packed up slowly.

“(y/n), a word please.” he beckoned from his podium.

You refused to look at him as you stepped down from the lecture hall stairs to the podium, your backpack slung over your shoulder and your confidence crumbling even further as you waited with baited breath as he finished shutting off the projector and computer.

“You have quite a knack for poetry for someone who says English isn’t their forte, as well as for a psychology major.” he calmly noted, hardly glancing at you.

You couldn’t help it, you couldn’t hold it in anymore and let it burst from your chest, all your thoughts jumbled into a single rambling mess, “I swear I didn’t intend for you to see it, I just-I just-I don’t know why I did that and I know I messed up our friendship, it’s all my fault and I’m really really sorry, I seriously wasn’t thinking and I just can’t help but feel these things and it just makes it worse when I think about you, I don’t know what to do about it-”

A hand crept around the back of your neck and forced your head up, and without even a single warning you felt warm, wet lips enveloping yours, biting sweetly as well as fervently. You couldn’t help but make a noise of startlement at the sudden action, but before you could even have time to melt into the kiss, he pulled away, a smirk on his face.

“It’d be inappropriate for me to do such things, but more inappropriate for you to act on it as well. Yet, I know you are wise enough to not pursue it like you want to.” he stated, his eyes resembling molten gold.

Your gaze flattened, “Koz, what the fuck was that if you say you’re not ‘pursuing it’.”

He grinned, “Your confirmation of your feelings, as well as a promise of patience.”

“Patience?”

He smirked again, tilting his head and embracing the feel of superiority again, “You have nearly one more year left. I wonder if you have the patience to stick it out-”

That pissed you off. You grabbed his black tie and pulled him down, startling him as you kissed him hard. You pulled away just as quickly, enjoying the look of surprise on his face as well as slight bewilderment at being cut off from gloating.

You smiled innocently, smoothing down his tie as well as the front of his jacket, “Nice to know I’m not the only one enjoying the feeling of vorfreude from now on. Have a good day, Professor.”

Without a second backwards glance, you confidently strode out of the lecture hall, leaving Koz impressed as well as out of breath at your grand exit. He didn’t realize he’d be aching for you just as much as you ached for him.

It’s only a year, right? Not too long…

Boy were you two wrong.

[experimntblog]

What is an experience? A personal definition.

This is the first of a series of articles marking the debuts of Experimnt as a platform and as a company. Experimnt has a vision aiming at making people rediscover their cities through experiences. But what is an experience? Do we really understand this concept? Could we write a definition that would clearly support Experimnt’s mission and vision? Let’s have a look at it together.

The origins of the word ‘experience’

When someone wants to look up for a definition, usually the first reaction would be to open a dictionary. Or at least it was. Nowadays, internet is our best friend. There is this word that we hear everywhere, a word that has always existed, but which use has evolved through time. This word is ‘experience’.

I wanted to understand what the origins of our use of the word experience are, and why we actually use it nowadays to describe a rather old concept: an activity. What makes an experience different from an activity? Why is this the word the X and Y generations decided to use for the past few years to talk about their interests, hobbies, and entertainment?

Browsing online, I first tried to find the origins and the etymology of this word. I learned that the English word ‘experience’ appeared in the 14th century deriving from the Old French word ‘experience’, which itself comes from Latin word ‘experientia’. When decomposing the latter, we read: ‘ex‘ (out of), ‘peritus‘ (tested). Therefore, ‘experience’ literally and historically has as meaning the process of an attempt.

As we know it today however, a synonym for ‘attempt’ is not ‘experience’, but rather ‘experiment’. You now understand why we called our platform Experimnt. Our language has evolved as much as the world has, but our roots to our past and our nature, as humans, are still present.

Our language has evolved such that the former use of some words are different from their modern counterparts . ‘Experience’ is one of those words. We still don’t have a modern definition of the word ‘experience’.

Today’s use of ‘experience’

Now that we understand the history behind the word ‘experience’, let’s focus on its modern use in our everyday life.

I thus started by searching online, quite naively, for the differences between an experience and an activity. What I found can be used as good foundation to my process. The word experience actually refers to the process of experimenting and trying. An experience is a test. On the other hand, an activity is linked to the fact of being active, thus referring to the creation of an action or a movement, done for pleasure or entertainment.

So, I’ve started out by doing what most people would do. I’ve typed the words ‘experience definition’ in my internet browser’s search bar. I clicked on a link leading to a famous English dictionary website and this is what came out.

First, we learn that experience can be used as a verb and as a noun, with different definitions, but here, it is the latter option that interests us. Therefore, an experience is:

“The process of getting knowledge or skill that is obtained from doing, seeing, or feeling things, or something that happens which has an effect on you”.

In other words, it is something happening that has an impact on you.

So why did we decide to label some specific activities as experiences?

A personal definition

Here at Experimnt, we see experiences not simply as activities or events that occur and are witnessed by people. Rather, we view experiences as powerful vehicles for very meaningful connections between human beings.

This can be achieved through a core value that is crucial to both our platform and human nature: sharing.

Ever since human interaction developed as a norm, our evolution was built around the exchange of ideas, the transmission of knowledge and the perpetuation of cultural traditions on a very large scope, from food to music, sport, literature or arts.

By placing this collective dimension at the centre of our structure, we hope to offer a way for creative minds and passionate people alike to fully express what drives them towards the essence of who they are: recreating a bond that may have been eroded over the years between them, their background, and other passionate individuals.

Experiences are thus doors to new worlds with infinite possibilities. We’re proud to provide the keys.

What are your thoughts regarding the reasoning and the definition I tried to build in this article? What is an experience according to you? I invite you to connect with me anytime to share your feelings, your ideas or your feedback at hello@experimnt.com.

[emilyschultheis-blog]

Personality Words- Class 1

eclectic (adj)- deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Synonyms: broad, varied, wide-ranging

Etymology: 1680s, "not confined to or following any one model or system," originally in reference to ancient philosophers who selected doctrines from every system; from French eclectique (1650s), from Greek eklektikos "selective," literally "picking out," from eklektos "selected," from eklegein "pick out, select," from ek "out" (see ex-) + legein "gather, choose," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather." Broader sense of "borrowed from diverse sources" is first recorded 1847. As a noun from 1817.

driven (adj)- (of a person) relentlessly compelled by the need to accomplish a goal; very hard-working and ambitious.

Synonyms: consumed, directed, motivated

Etymology: 1570s, of snow, "carried and gathered in heaps by the wind," past-participle adjective from drive (v.). Meaning "motivated" is by 1972.

passionate (adj)- showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief.

Synonyms: eager, expressive, intense

Etymology: early 15c., "angry; emotional," from Medieval Latin passionatus "affected with passion," from Latin passio (genitive passionis) "passion" (see passion). Specific sense of "amorous" is attested from 1580s. Related: Passionately.

perfectionist (n)- a person who refuses to accept any standard short of perfection.

Synonyms: detail-oriented, idealist

Etymology: 1650s, from perfection + -ist. Originally theological, "one who believes moral perfection may be attained in earthly existence;" sense of "one satisfied only with the highest standards" is from 1934. Related: Perfectionism.

(self) critical (adj)- expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.

Synonyms: demanding, analytical, cynical

Etymology: 1580s, "censorious, inclined to find fault," from critic + -al (1). Sense of "important or essential for determining" is from c. 1600, originally in medicine. Meaning "of the nature of a crisis, in a condition of extreme doubt or danger" is from 1660s; that of "involving judgment as to the truth or merit of something" is from 1640s; that of "having the knowledge, ability, or discernment to pass judgment" is from 1640s. Meaning "pertaining to criticism" is from 1741.

crafty (adj)- of, involving, or relating to the making of decorative objects and other things by hand.

Synonyms: creative, artistic, innovative

Etymology: mid-12c., crafti, "skillful, clever, learned," from Old English cræftig "strong, powerful," later "skillful, ingenious," acquiring after c. 1200 a bad sense of "cunning, sly, skillful in scheming," the main modern sense (but through 15c. also "skillfully done or made; intelligent, learned; artful, scientific"); see craft (n.) + -y (2). Perhaps to retain a distinctly positive sense, Middle English also used craftious as "skillful, artistic" (mid-15c.). Related: Craftily; craftiness.

headstrong (adj)- self-willed and obstinate.

Synonyms: determined, stubborn, strong-minded

Etymology: "determined to have one's way," late 14c., from head (n.) + strong. Compare Old English heafodbald "impudent," literally "head-bold." Strongheaded is attested from c. 1600.

compassionate (adj)- feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

Synonyms: humane, sympathetic, warmhearted

Etymology: "characterized by compassion," 1580s, from compassion + -ate (1). Related: Compassionately. Phrase compassionate conservatism in American political language recorded by 1992, popularized, if not coined, by Marvin Olasky, instructor at University of Texas at Austin.

high-strung (adj)- nervous and easily upset.

Synonyms: anxious, restless, edgy

Etymology: also, high strung, 1848 in the figurative sense, "having a sensitive nervous system," from high (adv.) + strung. In literal use a musical term, in reference to stringed instruments, attested from 1748.

devoted (adj)- very loving or loyal.

Synonyms: committed, dedicated, devout

Etymology: 1590s, "set apart by a vow," past-participle adjective from devote (v.). Meaning "characterized by devotion, ardent, zealous, strongly attached" is from c. 1600. Sense of "given up, especially to some harm or evil" is from 1610s. Related: Devotedly; devotedness.

[ruminativerabbi]

Books and Mirrors: As A New Year Dawns

The month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish year, is well known as the traditional time for reviewing the year, reflecting on our behavior and general comportment, owning up to our shortcomings, and finding the resolve to face the season of judgment, if not quite with eager anticipation, than at least with equanimity born the conviction that we can and will do better in the coming year. You often hear the Hebrew phrase ḥeshbon ha-nefesh, literally “an accounting of the soul” in this regard—and those words really do capture the concept pithily and well: thinking of our lives as ledger-books in which our instances of moral courage and ethical inadequacy stand in for the accountant’s credits and debits works for me and will probably suit most. There is even a book with that title—Sefer Ḥeshbon Ha-nefesh by Rabbi Menaḥem Mendel Lefin, written in 1808 and the only rabbinic work known to have been directly influenced by the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin—which I wrote about to you all a few years ago just before Pesach. (To review what I had to say there, click here.)

How exactly to go about this is a different question, however. I suppose some people really can just sit down and review the year week by week, noting where they personally feel themselves to have come up short and resolving to respond in a way more in keeping with the moral code they claim to espouse when facing analogous situations in the future. For most of us, though, that process—although theoretically possible—is not that practical an approach to the larger enterprise: who can remember the days of our lives with clear-eyed enough exactitude to analyze deeds from months ago with the certainty that we are remembering things precisely correctly? Fortunately, there are other ways to see ourselves clearly and for many, myself included, the simplest answer is to use a mirror.  Not a real one, of course, in which you can only see the reflection of your outermost appearance. But there are other kinds of mirrors available to us, some of which have the ability to reflect the inner self and which can serve, therefore, more like windows into the soul than the kind of mirror you look into each morning when you brush your teeth and see yourself looking back with a toothbrush in your mouth.

For me personally and for many years now, that mirror has always been a book I’ve chosen to read or re-read during Elul in the hope that it will allow me to see myself reflected either in its plot, in the way some specific one of its characters is depicted, or in the world it describes. Over the years, I’ve chosen well and less well. But when I do somehow manage to choose the right book for Elul, that choice makes all the difference by allowing me to see myself in the depiction of another far more clearly than I think I ever could have managed on my own.

This year I read Marcos Aguinis’ novel, Against the Inquisition.  Although the author is apparently very well-known in his native Argentina and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, I hadn’t ever heard of him until just this last July when Dara Horn published a review of the new English-language translation by Carolina de Robertis of his most successful book, called La Gesta del Marrano in Spanish, in Moment magazine. The review was stellar (to read it for yourself, click here) and left me intrigued enough to buy a copy with the intention of it being my Elul book for this year. It wasn’t a big investment, so I wasn’t risking much. (Used paperback copies and the e-book version are both available online for less than $5 each.) But it turned out to be exactly the right choice: I just finished it earlier this week and found myself truly astounded both by the author’s literary skill and, even more so, by what the book has to say about the nature of Jewishness itself.

Seeing myself in the protagonist, Francisco Maldonado da Silva—a real historical figure who lived from1592 to 1639—was simple enough. Imagining myself reaching the level of piety, self-awareness, courage, and moral decency he exemplified in his life and, even more so, in his death—that was the mirror into which I found myself peering as I read Aguinis’s book. I don’t have to be him, obviously. But I do have to be me. And so the question is not whether I could learn Spanish and move to the seventeenth century, but whether I have it in me to be me in the same sense that the book’s protagonist was himself. If the concept sounds obscure when I formulate it that way, read the book and you’ll see what I mean: I can hardly remember feeling more personally challenged by a novel, and more eager to accept the protagonist as a moral role model. Against the Inquisition is a historical novel, of course, not a non-fiction work of “regular” history. But it tells a true story…and the opportunity to read the story, to take it to heart, to be moved incredibly by its detail, and to feel transformed by the experience of communing with a great Jewish thinker through the medium of his art—that is the gift Against the Inquisition offers to its readers.

The plot, fully rooted in the real Francisco Maldonado da Silva’s life story, is beyond moving. The details of Jewish life in Latin America in the late 1500s and the early 1600s will be obscure to most readers in North America today. But the short version is that all of South America except Brazil was part of the Spanish Empire back then. And the Catholic authorities (whose power over the region’s secular rulers was almost absolute) were dedicated not merely to making the practice of Judaism illegal, but to ferreting out even the vaguest traces of Jewish practice of belief that might still be lingering among the so-called “New” Christians, the descendants of those Jews who chose conversion to Catholic Christianity over flight when the Jews were exiled from Spain and Portugal, but at least some of whom retained a deeply engrained sense of their own Jewishness intact enough to pass along to their children and their children’s children as well.

Da Silva’s life story as retold in the book is remarkable in almost every way. His father, a physician harboring a deep, if secret and entirely illicit, devotion to his own Jewishness is eventually discovered and punished so cruelly and so degradingly that it beggars the imagination to consider that his torture—which is certainly not too strong a word to describe his treatment—was undertaken by men who considered themselves not only deeply religious but truly virtuous. But the meat of the novel is the story of how exactly the physician’s son Francisco, who also becomes well-known and highly respected doctor, is made aware of his Jewishness and then finds it in him not to dissemble so as not to be caught, but, at least eventually, to embrace his Jewishness and his Judaism openly and fearlessly. That kind of behavior was not tolerated in Spanish America, and the consequences for Francisco are, at least in some ways, even worse than the physical abuse and public humiliation to which his father was subjected.

The last chapters particularly are seared into my memory. You know what’s coming. You know that there’s no other way for the book to end. You understand that the protagonist, Francisco himself, sees that as clearly as you do. And yet you continue to hope that you’re wrong, that some deus ex machina will descend from the sky and make things right. You know you’re being crazy by hoping for such a thing—and, if you are me, you already know that the auto-da-fé of January 23, 1639, in Lima, Peru, was perhaps the largest mass execution of Jews ever undertaken by the Catholic church, a nightmarish travesty of justice undertaken in the name of religion in which more than eighty “New” Christians were burnt alive at the stake for the crime of having retained some faint vestige of their families’ Jewishness—but you continue to delude yourself into thinking that perhaps the author will take advantage of his novelist’s prerogative to just make up some other ending.  That Francisco is depicted as having the means of escaping his prison cell but instead uses his freedom to visit other prisoners and encourage them to embrace their Jewishness and to accept their fate with pride and courage—that detail alone makes this novel a worthy Elul read.

My readers all know who my personal heroes are. Janusz Korczak, who chose to die at Treblinka rather than to abandon the orphans entrusted to his care. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who returned to wartime Germany to preach against Nazism and eventually to play a role in the plot to assassinate Hitler, for which effort he paid with his life. And now I add Francisco Maldonado da Silva, who chose to die with dignity and pride as a Jew rather than to run off and spend his life masquerading as something he was not and had no wish to be. Could I be like that? Could I live up to my own values in the way these men did? Could I be me the way they were them? I ask these questions not because I wish to answer them in public, but merely to show that they can be asked. They can also be answered, of course. And that is what Elul is for: to challenge us to peer into whatever mirror we choose…and ask if the man or woman we could be is looking back, or just the woman or man we ended up as. That is the searing, anxiety-provoking question the holidays about to dawn lay at our feet. If you’re looking for the courage to formulate your own answer, read Against the Inquisition and I’m guessing you’ll be as inspired to undertake the ḥeshbon ha-nefesh necessary to answer honestly as I was.

[astroalive]

Ceres: Mother of the Hearth

To understand her role in astrology, we must look to her mythology. Goddess of agriculture and motherhood, Ceres’ name quite literally derives from a root word meaning “to satiate, to feed,” the Latin verb meaning “to bear, bring forth, or produce,” and the verb meaning “to grow.” She is the nurturer, the epitome of parenthood and care.

She is also the mother of Proserpina, the goddess abducted by Pluto, and this is reflected in the influences of the asteroid. Ceres is the bringer of abundance, and yet also loss and grief, as she experienced the loss of her daughter.

In the natal chart, Ceres indicates nurturing, or the lack thereof. This befits her, the mother of Proserpina, but also mirrors her neglect of nature, which is another child of hers in a sense, in order to get Proserpina back. For this reason, Ceres in the natal chart marks how we nurture and are best nurtured, but also how we neglect others through nurturing or avoid the nurturing that we deserve due to emotional issues.

The lesson of this asteroid is that we must accept nurturing, take care of and love ourselves in order to nurture and love others.

Aries:

Ceres in Aries individuals nurture through physicality - they want to do things with the people they love. It’s easier for them to show their love than to voice it, more often than not, but it is no less legitimate. In return, they often need this same form of care to feel nurtured.

They seek to help others become independent, considering this the greatest form of support. They are also highly protective and assertive of their family and loved ones. They define themselves through their own independence and feel weak when they need support from others. This can be their greatest fear, or issue with their own self-worth.

When it comes to grief, they may ignore loss rather than work through it, then become angry more often than not. This can cause a great deal of pain, the type that builds up over time and becomes all the greater simply due to lacking acknowledgment.

Taurus:

This placement makes an individual nurture through pampering and physical care and affection. They also seek to provide for others through financial stability. Their affection, overall, is highly physical and material.

They define themselves through physical goods and finances which can cause a great deal of emotional turmoil, or lack of confidence. This position also brings out Ceres’ characteristics that involve a fear of both lacking and abundance. Manipulation is also an unfortunate aspect related to this placement.

They deal with grief through indulgence and stubbornness, often refusing to let go. They can cling to their loss rather than processing it in a healthy way. This represents the “bargaining” method of the grieving process.

Gemini:

Communication is the form of nurturing this placements leads to. It may be easier for them to verbally express their love than to show it physically, their “love language” quite literally taking the form of words of affirmation, praise, and assurances. They seek to spend a lot of time with their loved ones, as well, viewing this as a true sign of nurturing and affection.

Often, these individuals define themselves through their knowledge, and struggle with feelings of intellectual inferiority. Education is another aspect of nurturing they stress for this reason. They may seek to use knowledge to gain approval from others, and cannot handle rejection.

These individuals often attempt to shut out their emotions in response to grief. They need to work through loss by communicating with others.

Cancer:

Individuals with this placement in their chart literally seek to “mother” and be “mothered.” They nurture by providing a sense of “home” and security for those they love. They make great caretakers and parents for these reasons; this is a placement often found in the charts of those eager to become parents.

Nurturing often involves emotional bonding and self-expression. Due to this being such a fitting placement of Ceres, it is considered beneficial in many ways. Ceres in Cancer is almost a natural fit, making things like nurturing and bonding easy.

This placement can bring out Ceres’ negatives, however, such as complexes dealing with the parents, abandonment issues, or low self-esteem. Clinging to grief may be an issue, as well. That “natural fit” comes with a price.

Leo:

As one might expect, Ceres in Leo creates feelings of pride in nurturing and caring for others. This placement inspires natives to do their best when raising children or caring for people in other ways, and they may find they define themselves through how well they help others.

They feel cared for when they are at the center of someone’s attention, or being recognized for what they have accomplished. These are the types that thrive on admiration and praise. Children with this placement need to feel that their parents are proud of them more than anything.

A great deal of their nurturing involves confidence, but lacks empathy. They are gifted in that they know how to inspire confidence in others, how to make them feel better about themselves, and how to lift others up in general.

They understand the great power of self-expression and creativity, so their methods of care often involve these as well. This is a way they make others feel confident, by appreciating the originality within everyone.

Typically, this is a position that is good for self-confidence, but there is a downside in that the native must receive the praise of others to feel confident. They need to learn how to feel confident on their own, without the input of others.

Virgo:

Nurturing focuses on discipline and competence. Natives recognize how important it is for one to have the skills needed to be fully independent so they will do their best to help others reach that state. Nurturing can often take on the form of teaching, more specifically.

Serving others is an aspect of Virgo that comes out when met with the energy of Ceres. Often, these natives are the type that nurture through literally serving as teachers, or caretakers of some sort. Ceres also brings out Virgo’s tie to health, so these individuals may find themselves drawn to the medical field or fitness.

They can be somewhat harsh, criticizing in an attempt to help. They don’t mean harm by this, but they can come off as cold in this respect. In return, they typically take criticism very well and are good students. They feel most nurtured when they are learning, and best when learning by doing.

They define themselves through their accomplishments, and if they are not careful they can become very harsh perfectionists who expect too much of both themselves and others.

Mourning can be difficult for them. Often, they attempt to overcome their grief too quickly, or fail to recognize that it’s something they need to work through.

Libra:

Ceres in Libra marks an individual who is communicative and focused on the needs of others. Art, acceptance, and partnership are their main focuses when nurturing others. Their method of nurture will shift depending on the needs of others, as they are perceptive enough to recognize their needs.

To feel nurtured, these natives need to feel as if others are working with them and communicating. Intimacy, sharing, and true partnership are what they seek.

There is an issue of defining themselves through others, and often struggles with focusing too much on helping others rather than helping themselves. The sense of self for these individuals can be blurred for these reasons. The natives of this position need to learn how to separate themselves and their own needs from others.

As for grief, this is a beneficial position as it allows for communication and openness with emotion.

Scorpio:

Ceres in Scorpio blends physical and emotional needs. They nurture through intimacy in all forms and in turn need to be nurtured in much the same way. It’s highly important that they form real bonds with those they are seeking to nurture or those who wish to nurture them.

Growth, empowerment, and control are all highly important to the natives of this position. When nurturing others, these individuals focus on inspiring them to be their best and to “evolve” in a sense. To Scorpio, the ultimate form of nurturing is assisting in a person’s transformation into their best self.

They may try to stifle their emotions or keep them hidden from others when dealing with grief, but this is the exact opposite of what they need. Balancing their needs of independence and intense relationships will help with this, allowing them to open up and work through their grief.

Sagittarius:

Learning and freedom are sources of nurturing for anyone with this placement in their chart. To nurture someone with this placement, it is best to give them the freedom they need to explore life and the world itself. This is how these natives grow.

To nurture and care for others, these natives often focus on inspiring and supporting. Their optimism and confidence are key to their support of others, helping them reach their goals or get through difficult times. In many ways, Ceres in Sagittarius marks another form of teacher, but unlike other placements of Ceres this one focuses on teaching through sharing experiences and personal knowledge.

Often, natives of this position will define themselves through their experiences, knowledge, and in some ways the other people in their lives. Spirituality, morals, or religion are another big source of their sense of self.

These individuals may attempt to avoid grief, or to stay strong in order to help others, but overall they do not avoid working through their problems it may simply take them a longer time.

Capricorn:

Achievement and recognition are of great importance to these individuals. In order to nurture an individual with this position, focus on supporting them in their attempts to succeed and provide stability. Natives with this position need stability to be truly successful.

In order to nurture others, these natives are teachers of responsibility and discipline. They know the importance of status and achievements so they will also push those they care about to do their best and pursue success. For their children and others, they will do their best to surprise the tools for success.

Due to their focus on success, they can be extremely hard on themselves and highly critical. Self-acceptance is very difficult for them more often than not, and so they also need support in learning that their self-worth is not defined by status or “success.”

They often don’t feel they have the time for grief, or may feel guilty for needing to work through those emotions.

Aquarius:

Social engagement is often the Aquarian form of nurturing. They support through friendship, social connections, and defense. Acceptance of all people, individuality, and uniqueness are key to them. They recognize the importance of feeling wanted and respected by others, and they seek to provide that feeling to others.

Natives need to be nurtured through this same acceptance, but they also need a great deal of freedom. Supporting their social needs is the best way to make them feel nurtured.

Often, these individuals define themselves through their originality and creativity. They also, in ways, define themselves through their connections to others and relationships in communities. They often also form their identity through their beliefs and politics.

Intimacy can be very difficult for natives of this position, as can intense emotions. There are often attempts to detach from feelings of grief for this reason.

Pisces:

Understanding and emotional support are the Piscean’s methods when seeking to nurture others. They are often self-sacrificing for others, and will give their all to their children and any others they are seeking to support and care for.

They are highly accepting of others, and seek to be a shoulder to cry on for others. They are extremely compassionate and sympathetic to the needs of others.

To nurture someone with this placement, give them what they need to fuel their imagination. Books, art, and the like are all necessary for this individual. They also are prone to overworking or overwhelming themselves, so it’s necessary for them to be cared for and given a break.

These natives define themselves through others and their ability to help and support them, which can cause difficulties. Issues of self-worth are often tied to their need to feel useful to others and their sacrificial behavior.

As for grief, these individuals feel deeply and are often overwhelmed by their emotions. Grieving can be quite a trial for them.

[marialilllitharrowwild]

doctor (n.)

c. 1300, doctour, "Church father," from Old French doctour and directly from Medieval Latin doctor "religious teacher, adviser, scholar," in classical Latin "teacher," agent noun from docere "to show, teach, cause to know," originally "make to appear right," causative of decere "be seemly, fitting" (from PIE root *dek- "to take, accept").

Meaning "holder of the highest degree in a university, one who has passed all the degrees of a faculty and is thereby empowered to teach the subjects included in it" is from late 14c. Hence "teacher, instructor, learned man; one skilled in a learned profession" (late 14c.).

The sense of "medical professional, person duly licensed to practice medicine" (replacing native leech (n.2)) grew gradually out of this from c. 1400, though this use of the word was not common until late 16c. The transitional stage is exemplified in Chaucer's Doctor of phesike (Latin physica came to be used extensively in Medieval Latin for medicina).

That no man ... practyse in Fisyk ... but he be Bacheler or Doctour of Fisyk, havynge Lettres testimonyalx sufficeantz of on of those degrees of the Universite. [Rolls of Parliament, 1421]

Middle English also used medicin for "a medical doctor" (mid-15c.), from French. Similar usage of the equivalent of doctor is colloquial in most European languages: Italian dottore, French docteur, German doktor, Lithuanian daktaras, though these typically are not the main word in those languages for a medical healer. For similar evolution, compare Sanskrit vaidya- "medical doctor," literally "one versed in science." German Arzt, Dutch arts are from Late Latin archiater, from Greek arkhiatros "chief healer," hence "court physician." French médecin is a back-formation from médicine, replacing Old French miege, from Latin medicus.

Phrase what the doctor ordered "just the thing" is attested by 1914.

[ccorinnef]

Tattoo Art: Living Galleries Through History

Tattoos have existed for millennia. Currently, the oldest known tattoos are from the Alps mountains on Ötzi which date from 3250BC and the oldest known decorative tattoos are from Egypt dating to 3351 - 3017BCE. They existed as a form of magic or medicine or branding for slaves and criminals, before becoming a form of identity, expression and artwork. Since around the 1800's, though, tattoos have been increasing in sophistication, design, artform and popularity. Tattoos are now incredibly popular and probably every city in the world has at least one, if not many more, tattoo shops and artists. Tattooing was by no means 'discovered' by white people but since the practice had been through phases of popularity in Europe, they were quick to forget and quick to become fascinated by tattoos. Following the age of colonialism and ideas of European superiority, tattoos were often labelled as barbaric or primitive and were used as a way to further discriminate against people in 'discovered' lands. A really surprising fact that I discovered while researching this topic was that in Latin the word used to refer to tattoos was 'stigmata' which is also the root word for stigmatise, tattoos often literally were symbols of stigmas.

Tattoos Through Ancient History

One of the most common misconceptions in the history of tattooing is that tattoos were brought back to the UK and the West on the Cook voyages of the 1790s. As can be seen from tattooed mummies across the globe and dating from across almost the entire history of humanity, tattooing as a practice has been recurrent. Whatever the context or purpose of the tattoo, whether for identity, medicine, status, religion, or whatever tattoos have been used across many cultures and times. The cook voyages simply brought back the word tattoo - from the Polynesian tatau or tatu. Before Cook's journeys introduced this word tattooing was known as 'painting' 'scarring' 'staining' stitching' and a host of other words were used to describe the practice. Tattoos have been used as a means of identifying people and animals, along with branding, for centuries: facial tattoos to denote punishment for crimes or to indicate status as a slave were used in the Chinese Zhou and Roman Empire time periods - until Emperor Constantine banned the practice of facial tattoos in AD330 and the Second Council of Nicaea banned all tattooing as 'pagan' in AD787. Runaway slaves were commonly tattooed on their face with 'FUG' for fugitive. In ancient Egypt there is evidence of medical tattooing first 'discovered' by Daniel Fouquet in 1898. He found mummies with tattoos and scarification which didn't appear to be decorative and speculated that they were "an established treatment for a condition of the pelvis, very probably chronic pelvic peritonitis."

The negative European influence on the Maori population of New Zealand first started with trading for moko tattoos, which were acquired by Maori people hunting and decapitating each other, and later by imposed Christian values by missionaries who discouraged and disliked the tattooing practice, something that has been repeated the world over. Tattooing was practiced widely in the Austronesian region, thought to have been developed before 1500BCE. 'Needles' were commonly made from Citrus thorns, fish bone, bone and oyster shells. Other ethnolinguistic groups who observed a practice of tattooing include the Ainu of Japan, some Austroasians of Indochina, Berber women of Tamazgha, Yoruba, Fulani and Hausa of Nigeria, Pre-Columbian Native Americans, and Iron Age British Picts.

Throughout history from around the 1500s to 1900s many many people were kidnapped or tricked into travelling back to Europe by early explorers and were often presented at the royal court or put on display as 'curiosities' to be gawked at, especially if they had tattoos across their bodies. Many of these are terribly sad stories of exploitation by white Europeans and often end in death by being exposed to illnesses their immune systems could not handle. "In 1565, French sailors abducted from Canada an Inuit woman with facial tattoos and her daughter. They put them on public display in Antwerp, the Netherlands, drawing crowds for money. Sir Martin Frobisher, an English privateer, also abducted an Inuit man from Baffin Island, putting him on display in London before he died from European diseases. Frobisher returned to Baffin Island and abducted a man, a woman, and a child, also taking them back to London for public display. They also died from illness shortly afterwards." William Dampier, a member and financier of Captain Cook's famous voyages bought a slave called Jeoly from Miangas Island in 1690. Jeoly, nicknamed the 'painted prince' was put on display across Europe and Dampier described his tattoos as covering most of his body with a 'great variety of lines, flourishes, chequered-work, &c.'

Tattoos Through Cultural Context

The methods of tattooing are varied and extensive, but they all involve puncturing the skin to insert a pigment into the epidermis where it remains trapped as the body heals the wound. Some cultures created tattoos by fashioning 'needles' out of shell or bone and creating lines by joining punctured dots of pigment together. Some cultures cut the design into the skin first and then rubbed the pigment into the wound. Today, the tattoo machine is most commonly used to insert pigment into the skin which utilises modern hygiene methods to reduce the risk of infection.

Among men of Austronesian societies, such as the Ifugao and Dayak, tattooing was an integral part of head-hunting culture where they served as a record of the number of kills a warrior had done in battle. Tattoos were also used in initiation rites into adulthood across Austronesia. A warrior's status was inscribed into his skin; the design, placement and number of tattoos indicated prowess and success in battle. Among Austronesian women, facial tattoos denoted status, skill and beauty and were often used as a symbol that a girl had reached marriageable age. Among Visayans of the Phillipines, tattoos were worn by nobility and warriors as records success in mangayaw raids.

Tattoos were also commonly used across the globe as magical wards against dangerous spirits or illnesses. Among the Ainu of Japan, who have mythology of tattooing practice coming from the sister of the creator god, Turesh Machi, and who faced much persecution by the Japanese authorities for continuing this culturally significant practice, tattoos were believed to stop evil spirits from entering the body and causing illness or misfortune. They also had specific tattoos placed around the body to serve as charms against illness and disease. Tattoos were used by Ancient Egyptians to depict dedication to a God and protection from evils. As Vanishing Tattoo states, "Largely administered by holy monks, sagacious tribal elders, and layman tattooists, the esoteric art was not only believed to provide its wearers with indelible protection from a variety of misfortunes, but also the mystical power to influence other peoples’ behaviour, carry the deceased safely into the afterlife, or simply increase a person’s 'luck.'" It could also be argued that the Catholic Croats in Bosnia tattooed women and children to protect them against a perceived 'evil', that of conversion to Islam during the Ottoman rule.

Native Americans, such as Seminole, Cherokee, Cree, Yurok, Tolowa, Hupa, Chimariko and Creek, used tattooing as a form of identity and belonging to their tribe. Obviously there is a huge range of cultural differences between each Native American community: the Cree had men covered entirely with tattoos while restricting women to only three or four lines on the face; for the Yurok tattooing was more popular among the women than the men, where a woman's age would be indicated by a line tattooed on the chin roughly every five years. Some communities even had tattooed size guides for seashells which were used as a form of currency. The Yuma used tattoos to denote status and community as well as to decorate warriors to appear more fierce - "they believed access to the afterlife would be denied to those who wore no tattoos."

Because tattoos were used to mark criminals and slaves, tattoos themselves, and by extension the people who have them, often face stigma and discrimination - the ink in their skin being culturally associated with criminality and deviance for centuries. In many cases, tattoos are considered an integral part of gang and mafia culture - often specific images and words are used to indicate membership and allegiance. Since the 60s and 70s tattoos have also been associated with social outcast groups such as bikers and prisoners, which has further played into the stereotypes of people with tattoos. Many prison inmates still tattoo themselves today, using whatever materials they can get their hands on. In China, tattoos are still considered taboo. The association between criminals and tattoos was a huge influence on this. Criminals were often tattooed to mark them and ostracise them from society. In Japan, tattoos were outlawed in the 19th Century by the Meiji Government - this wasn't repealed until 1948. In the city of Osaka employees are forbidden from getting new tattoos and all pre-existing tattoos are required to be covered completely, or removed. There is a strong and prevailing cultural link in Japan between tattoos and organised crime, yakuza. A project by Fukushi Masaichi's tattoo association was undertaken to collect and preserve the tattooed skins of dead Japanese people. A similar project to promote the art of tattoos was an exhibition by the Museum of Croydon called Beyond Skin.

Tattoos are often used symbolically to represent everything from a loved one, to a favourite sport, to prison sentences. For example, the teardrop tattoo has been said to represent murders committed or the death of a friend. US military personnel have an equally symbolic use of tattoos to mark identity, membership of particular regiments, battles participated in, murders and loved ones. Many companies now are trying to promote diversity and inclusion in employees, and many people are seeing less discrimination based on tattoos and their negative stereotypes.

Many different religions have expressed as many different viewpoints and levels of acceptance or tolerance towards tattoos - some completely prohibit their followers from getting tattoos, such as some Jewish traditions and Sunni Islam, while others, such as Hinduism and Neopaganism, show acceptance. Others still, such as Christianity remain undecided and some religions like Buddhism incorporate tattoos into their spiritual practice, known as sak yant.

Tattoos Through the 19th and 20th Centuries

Tattoos have been used administratively as a very literal form of identity. In 18th Century Thailand, tattoos were used to denote administrative identity - army officers, couriers, grass cutters, slaves and criminals all had distinctly unique tattoo designs and placements to denote their profession and to distinguish themselves from other departments. There were even different tattoos for corvée exemption due to illness or old age. As is commonly known, tattoos were used by the Nazi's in Auschwitz to identify registered prisoners with a complex numerical system. Many people alive today still bear this mark of their horror and trauma from life under the Nazi's. The SS were also tattooed with their blood group in WW2 to aid in any necessary medical treatment. Many SS members later shot themselves in the arm so as to remove the very identifying symbol of their Nazi involvement.

In Britain the first person to define their profession as 'tattoo artist' was Sutherland MacDonald in London in 1894. Prior to the 1870s tattoos were still very much associated with the 'lower classes' i.e. criminals and sailors, however the practice was soon coveted by the wealthy upper classes of Britain. Many of the royal family sported tattoos as a symbol of their wealth and style - since tattooing in the late 1800s was still a very time consuming and expensive practice. The invention in 1891 by Samuel O'Reilly of the tattoo machine, an adaptation of Thomas Edison's electric pen machine, meant that tattoos became cheaper and easier to produce so the practice dropped out of fashion among wealthier citizens. Tattoo art didn't really become considered as a legitimate career choice until the 1980s. More than 5000 people declared 'tattoo artist' as their professional title when in 1975 there had only been 40. In Australia, Fred Harris was considered the only tattoo artist in Sydney between 1916 and 1943. Throughout Harris' career, he tattooed mostly sailors but he also saw a trend of women getting their legs tattooed so the designs could be seen through their stockings. Throughout the 20th Century there is evidence of women getting tattoos, often ones that could be hidden well under clothing. There are even records of a female tattoo artist from the 1920s called Jessie Knight. An interesting exhibition which really put her work and career on display was held in Cornwall in the Maritime Museum.

The use of tattoos as a distinguishing identification feature was established in the 1800s as part of the 'protection papers' as a way for American sailors to avoid being impressed to the British royal navy. Prior to the use of tattoos as identification in the papers, the descriptions of the named individuals were too generic and often not accepted by British Captains. "In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, tattoos were as much about self-expression as they were about having a unique way to identify a sailor's body should he be lost at sea or impressed by the British navy." Until the onset of World War One there was a huge demand by sailors, usually British and American, for tattoo artists in ports across the world. This demand was addressed by the the first recorded professional tattoo artist German born Martin Hildebrandt who opened a shop in New York City in 1846. His career mostly consisted of travelling between camps of soldiers in the American Civil War. Following the 1960s and 70s there was a marked increase in bikers' groups and tattooing became a strong marker of identity for these groups - similar to other groups like gangs and prisoners.

Tattoos Today

In 2006 the results of a survey by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 36% of Americans aged 18-29, 24% of 30-40 year olds and 15% of Americans who were 41-51 had a tattoo. A similar survey by the Pew Research Centre found that 40% of Americans aged 26-40 had a tattoo. "They concluded that Generation X and Millennials express themselves through their appearance, and tattoos are a popular form of self-expression." Tattoos have even been used as the basis for, and advertisement of, logo designs. For example, Macy's logo is based off of a tattoo that the founder had on his hand. The practice of "skinvertising" has been used by brands such as HBO, Red Bull, ASOS and Sailor Jerry's.

Growing popularity can be seen for permanent makeup tattoos and for artistic tattoos to be used to cover up scars, such as from mastectomy, and perceived imperfections, like stretch marks. There is also high popularity for tattooing nipples after breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Permanent makeup includes tattooing pigment on eyebrows, lips and eyes - usually done with very natural colour shades to enhance a persons appearance. More recently, there has been a marked increase in the trend of 'stick and poke' or 'DIY' tattoos - with a few companies even offering complete kits to ensure hygienic practice. There is a motive for girls and women with low self-esteem and negative body feelings to get tattoos as a way to reclaim control of their bodies and search for their own identities. The increase of women getting tattoos, especially visible tattoos, is helping to change the stereotypes and stigmas associated with tattoos. Beverly Yuen Thompson interviewed many women across America in 'Covered in Ink' to look at the interaction between reactions to tattooed women in the general public and within families. She found that younger generations tend to be more accepting and generally unbothered by other's tattoos as compared to their older counterparts. Within family units, the reactions that women faced after getting a tattoo ranged from acceptance to disowning. Thompson noticed a correlation between the existing familial relationship and the post-tattoo reaction - those that were emotionally accepting of their female relatives were able to maintain close relationships despite a personal dislike to inked art.

In 2006 the results of a survey by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 36% of Americans aged 18-29, 24% of 30-40 year olds and 15% of Americans who were 41-51 had a tattoo. A similar survey by the Pew Research Centre found that 40% of Americans aged 26-40 had a tattoo. "They concluded that Generation X and Millennials express themselves through their appearance, and tattoos are a popular form of self-expression." (wiki/tattoo) Tattoos have even been used as the basis for, and advertisement of, logo designs. For example, Macy's logo is based off of a tattoo that the founder had on his hand. The practice of "skinvertising" has been used by brands such as HBO, Red Bull, ASOS and Sailor Jerry's.

Further Reading and References

Tattoos

Tattooing Among the Ainu

Tattoos in Indochina

Berber Womens Tattoos

Last Batok Artist in the Philipines

Lady of Cao

Ta Moko of New Zealand

Tattoos in the Arctic Circle

Tattooing History

Permanent Makeup

Medical Tattoos

Religious Perspectives

Tattoos in Papua New Guinea

Cook Tattoo Myth

Nazi Prisoner Tattoos

Mastectomy Tattoos

Nipple Reconstruction Tattoos

Tattooed Mummy

Otzi’s Tattoos

Egyptian Mummy Tattoos

Indian King’s Tattoos

Religious Opinions

Tattoo Gallery

Psychology of Tattoos

Why Do People Get Tattoos

Jessie Knight - Britain’s First Female Tattoo Artist

Native American Tattoos

[bern33chaser]

List of Greek Words in the English Language

After French, Latin and Viking (and Old English of course, but that is English), the Greek language has contributed more words to modern English than any other – perhaps 5%.

Many Greek words sprang from Greek mythology and history. Knowing those subjects was evidence that a person was educated, so dropping a reference to Greek literature was encouraged even into the 20th century. From Greek mythology, we get words such as atlas, chaos, chronological, erotic, herculean, hypnotic, muse, nectar, promethean, and even cloth.

But most Greek-origin words in English did not come straight from ancient Greek. Many are modern, not ancient, combinations of Greek root words. For example, you probably know the telephone was not used by the ancient Greeks. But the word itself is all Greek, made up of the Greek words for “distant” and “sound.” Besides tele and phon, common Greek roots include anti, arch, auto, bio, centro, chromo, cyclo, demo, dys, eu, graph, hydro, hypo, hyper, logo, macro, mega, meta, micro, mono, paleo, para, philo, photo, poly, pro, pseudo, psycho, pyro, techno, thermo and zoo. Among others.

Comparing the original and the modern meanings of Greek words that became English words sometimes shows not only how much language has changed, but how much culture has changed.

idiot Someone of very low intelligence. For the ancient Greeks, an idiot was a private citizen, a person not involved in civil government or politics. Related: idiosyncracy, idiom, and other individualistic words.

metropolis The Greek roots of this word are “mother” and “city.” Socrates, convicted in court of corrupting the youth with his philosophy, was given a choice between drinking poison or exile from his mother city of Athens. He chose poison because he wasn’t an idiot, in the ancient sense. If you chose exile, you might be an idiot in the ancient sense, but you would be a live idiot.

acrobat This circus performer who demonstrates feats of physical agility by climbing to the very top of the rope gets his name from the Greek words “high” and “walk,” with the sense of “rope dancer” and “tip-toe.”

bacterium From a Greek word that means “stick” because under a microscope (another Greek word), some bacteria look like sticks.

cemetery The Greek word koimeterion meant “sleeping place, dormitory.” Early Christian writers adopted the word for “burial ground,” and that’s why college students stay in the dormitory and not in the cemetery.

dinosaur You may have heard this one before. Our word for these ancient reptiles is a modern (1841) combination of the Greek words for “terrible” and “lizard.

hippopotamus The ancient Greeks called this large, moist African animal a hippopótamos, from the words for “horse” and “river.” In other words, river horse.

rhinoceros Continuing our African theme, this large, dry African animal is named after the Greek words for “nose” and “horn.” Horns usually don’t grow on noses.

history The Greek word historía meant “inquiry, record, narrative.”

dialogue A monologue has one speaker, but a dialogue doesn’t necessarily have two speakers (that would be a “di-logue,” but there’s no such word). Dialogue comes from Greek words that mean “across-talk,” and more than two people can do that if they take turns.

economy The Greek word for “household administration” has been expanded to mean the management of money, goods, and services for an entire community or nation. But “economical” still refers to personal thrift.

metaphor In ancient times, this word meant “transfer” or “carrying over.” When my grandfather called my grandmother a peach, metaphorically speaking, he used a figure of speech that transferred the sweetness of the fruit to his sweet wife.

planet The ancient Greeks get blamed for everything wrong with astronomy before the Renaissance, but they were astute enough to notice that while most stars stood still, some wandered from year to year. The word planet comes from the Greek word for “wandering.”

schizophrenia People with this mental disorder have been described as having a “split personality,” and the name comes from Greek words for “split” and “mind.” Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech.

technology This word was not limited to industry or science until the mid-19th century, during the Industrial Revolution. Originally it referred to “technique” (same Greek root) or the systematic study of an art or craft – the art of grammar, at first, and later the fine arts.

grammatical Speaking of grammar, the Ancient Greek word grammatike meant “skilled in writing.” Now it means “correct in writing.”

syntax A combination of Ancient Greek words that mean “together” and “arrangement.” Syntax is how words are arranged together.

sarcasm Though it was used to describe bitter sneering, the Greek word sarkazein literally meant “to cut off flesh,” which you might feel has happened to you when subjected to cutting sarcasm or critical humor.

sycophant Not a word that I’ve ever used, but you might like it. It means “servile, self-seeking flatterer.” In ancient Greek, it meant “one who shows the fig.” That referred to an insulting hand gesture that respectable Greek politicians wouldn’t use against their opponents, but whose shameless followers could be encouraged to do so.

telescope Another all-Greek word that wasn’t invented by the Greeks, but perhaps by the Dutch around 1600. Its roots mean “far-seeing” and Galileo Galilei was one of the first astronomers to use a telescope to see faraway things.

As you can see, Greek is deeply woven into modern English. To prove it, in the late 1950s, Greek economist Xenophon Zolotas gave two speeches in English, but using only Greek words, except for articles and prepositions. The results were rather high-sounding, but mostly comprehensible. As you become more familiar with Greek words, English will be easier to understand. And probably, more colorful.

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Original post: List of Greek Words in the English Language from Daily Writing Tips https://www.dailywritingtips.com/list-greek-words/

[zeroviraluniverse-blog]

The Early 20th Century Society That Tried to Make English Spelling More Intuitive

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The Early 20th Century Society That Tried to Make English Spelling More Intuitive

The word thesaurus literally means “repository” or “storehouse,” and it ultimately comes from the same root as the word treasure. There’s certainly some treasure to be unearthed in one, so in honor of Thesaurus Day, here are 25 smart-sounding synonyms to reboot your vocabulary.

1. INSTEAD OF “PAUNCHY,” TRY USING “ABDOMINOUS.”

Derived from the same root as abdomen, if you’re abdominous then you have a paunchy stomach, or a large, protruding belly.

2. INSTEAD OF “BAD LANGUAGE,” TRY USING “BILLINGSGATE.”

Billingsgate was a famous fish market in central London. Thanks to the foul language of the people who worked there, the name eventually became synonymous with all coarse or abusive language.

3. INSTEAD OF “BAD IDEA,” TRY USING “CACOETHES.”

Derived from the Greek “bad character,” a cacoethes (that’s “ka-ko-EE-theez”) is an insatiable desire to do something inadvisable.

4. INSTEAD OF “SKILLFUL,” TRY USING “DAEDAL.”

Daedalus was the architect who built the Labyrinth in the ancient myth of the Minotaur, and, derived from his name, someone who is daedal is especially skilled or artful.

5. INSTEAD OF “CONFUSE,” TRY USING “EMBRANGLE.”

A brangle is a squabble or a noisy argument, while to embrangle someone is to throw them into a quandary or to utterly perplex them. An embranglement, likewise, is a tricky, confusing situation.

6. INSTEAD OF “FEVERISH,” TRY USING “FEBRILE.”

If you’ve come down with the flu you might be feeling febrile, or feverish. It might only be a febricula (that’s a light or passing fever), but nevertheless, you might need a febrifuge (a drug that lowers your temperature).

7. INSTEAD OF “SLIPPERY,” TRY USING “GLIDDERY.”

If something glidders, it freezes over, which makes something gliddery very slippery, as if covered in ice.

8. INSTEAD OF “GOOSE BUMPS,” TRY USING “HORRIPILATION.”

That’s the medical name for this curious phenomenon, which is also called gooseflesh, henflesh, or goose-pimpling.

9. INSTEAD OF “APPROPRIATE,” TRY USING “IDONEOUS.”

It’s a little on the old-fashioned side, but idoneous, derived from the Latin word idoneus, makes a perfectly, well, appropriate replacement for words like proper, fit, and suitable.

10. INSTEAD OF “BOASTING,” TRY USING “JACTANCE.”

Derived from a Latin word meaning “to boast” or “speak out,” jactance or jactancy is vainglorious boasting.

11. INSTEAD OF “RECOGNIZABLE,” TRY USING “KENSPECKLE.”

A word from Scots dialect but with its roots in Scandinavia, kenspeck or kenspeckle means “easily recognizable” or “conspicuous.”

12. INSTEAD OF “INDIFFERENT,” TRY USING “LAODICEAN.”

Laodicea was a city in ancient Asia Minor. According to the biblical Book of Revelation, the people of Laodicea were known for their religious apathy, their fair-weather faith, and their lukewarm interest in the church—all of which prompted a pretty stern letter from St. John. As a result, a Laodicean is an apathetic, indifferent, or unconcerned person when it comes to religion.

13. INSTEAD OF “SMELLY,” TRY USING “MEPHITIC.”

A mephitis is a noxious, foul-smelling fume emanating from inside the earth, and anything that smells as bad as that is mephitic. Case in point, skunks were known as “mephitic weasels” is the 19th century.

14. INSTEAD OF “MISER,” TRY USING “NIPCHEESE.”

As well as being another name for a ship’s purser (the steward in charge of the ship’s accounts), a nipcheese is a mean, penny-pinching person. Feel free to also call your most miserly friend a nip-farthing, a shut-purse, a pinch-plum, or a sharp-nose.

15. INSTEAD OF “BEND,” TRY USING “OBLIQUATE.”

Derived from the same root as the word oblique, if something obliquates then it turns or bends to one side.

16. INSTEAD OF “CONCISE,” TRY USING “PAUCILOQUENT.”

Ironically, the thesaurus is full of weird and wonderful words for people who don’t say very much. As well as pauciloquent, people who like to keep things brief can be laconic, synoptic, or breviloquent.

17. INSTEAD OF “QUINTESSENCE,” TRY USING “QUIDDITY.”

Quintessence is already a fairly smart-sounding word, but you can up the stakes with quiddity: Derived from a Latin word meaning “who,” the quiddity of something is the very essence or nature of something, or a distinctive feature or characteristic.

18. INSTEAD OF “CHEERFUL,” TRY USING “RIANT.”

Derived via French from the Latin word for “laugh,” if you’re riant then you’re cheerful or mirthful. A riant landscape or image, likewise, is one that makes you happy or is pleasurable to look at.

19. INSTEAD OF “TWITCHY,” TRY USING “SACCADIC.”

A saccade is an involuntary twitch or movement of the eye—and, figuratively, that makes someone who is saccadic characteristically fidgety, twitchy, or restless.

20. INSTEAD OF “EQUIVOCATE,” TRY USING “TERGIVERSATE.”

To tergiversate literally means “to turn your back on” something, but more loosely, it means to dodge a question or issue, or to avoid a straightforward explanation.

21. INSTEAD OF “HOWL,” TRY USING “ULULATE.”

Probably originally meant to be onomatopoeic, ululation is a howling sound like that made by wolves. More figuratively, to ululate can be used to mean “to bewail” or “lament.”

22. INSTEAD OF “PREDICT,” TRY USING “VATICINATE.”

Derived from the Latin word for a soothsayer or seer, to vaticinate is to prophesize or predict something.

23. INSTEAD OF “UNLUCKY,” TRY USING “WANCHANCY.”

Wanchance is an old Scots dialect word for misfortune. Derived from that, the adjective wanchancy has fallen into more widespread use to mean “unlucky,” “ill-fated,” or in some contexts, “uncanny” or “eerily coincidental.”

24. INSTEAD OF “LAST NIGHT,” TRY USING “YESTERNIGHT.”

There are more yester– words in the dictionary than just yesterday. As well as yesternight, there’s yesterweek, yestereve, and yestermorn.

25. INSTEAD OF “CRITICISM,” TRY USING “ZOILISM.”

Zoilus was one of the harshest critics of the ancient Greek writer Homer, and he was known for his scathing, nit-picking attacks on Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Derived from him, a zoilist is an overbearingly harsh critic, while unduly harsh criticism is zoilism.

[jackson38toh]

Arrival time

Q: Reading “arrived to” drives me nuts. Why not “arrived at”? When did this start?

A: People used to arrive “at,” “in,” “into,” “on,” “to,” and “upon” their destinations. It wasn’t until the 1700s that language commentators began expressing preferences for one preposition over another.

Today, we usually arrive “at” or “in” when we’re referring to the literal arrival at a destination, though “on” and “upon” are often seen.

And literary writers routinely use a wide variety of prepositions when the verb “arrive” is used figuratively or to emphasize something other than the point of arrival.

We may arrive “by” boat or c-section, “from” Kalamazoo, “out of” the hinterlands, “on” the dock, “upon” the scene, and so on. Here’s the story.

English adapted the verb “arrive” in the 12th century from the Old French ariver, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, but the ultimate source is the classical Latin phrase ad rīpam (to the shore).

When the verb showed up in Middle English, it reflected its Latin origin and meant to bring a ship to shore or come to shore by ship, according to the OED.

The dictionary’s first example is from Layamon’s Brut, a Middle English poem written sometime before 1200: “Nu beoð of Brutaine beornes ariued” (“Now are the barons of Britain come to shore”).

The next citation is from The Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester (1297): “Þat folc of Denemarch …. aryuede in þe Norþ contreye” (“That people of Denmark came to shore in the North country”).

It wasn’t until the late 1300s that the verb “arrive” broke free of its nautical roots and meant “come to the end of a journey, to a destination, or to some definite place; to come upon the scene, make one’s appearance.”

The earliest example in the OED is from The House of Fame (circa 1384), a Middle English poem by Chaucer: “And with this word both he and y / As nygh the place arryved were / As men may casten with a spere.” (We’ve expanded the citation.)

Around the same time, the verb “arrive” came to mean to reach a position or state of mind, as well as to gain or achieve something.

The earliest OED citation for these wider senses is from Confessio Amantis (circa 1393), a Middle English poem by John Gower (note the preposition “to”):

“When the tirant Leoncius / Was to thempire of Rome arrived, / Fro which he hath with strengthe prived / The pietous Justinian.” (Leontius overthrew Justinian in 695 to become the Byzantine emperor. We’ve expanded the OED’s citation.)

The verb has taken on several other senses over the years, including “to come to pass” (1633, as in “misfortune arrived”), “to be born (1761, as in “the baby arrived), and “to be successful” (1889, as in “with the Oscar, she finally arrived”).

The OED considers the use of “into” and “to” with “arrive” obsolete now, but Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage cites modern literary examples for both prepositions, especially in figurative senses. Here are a few citations:

“Neighbors arrive into what is already a madhouse scene” (Elizabeth Bowen, in the March 9, 1953, issue of the New Republic).

“I have arrived to vast courage and skill that way” (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, reprinted in the November 1944 issue of Encore).

“Power arrived to them accidentally and late in their careers” (from Hilaire Belloc’s 1930 biography of Cardinal Richelieu).

As we’ve said, “at” and “in” are the two most common prepositions when “arrive” refers to reaching a literal destination.

The online Cambridge Dictionary explains that “at” is used for reaching a specific point, while “in” is used for reaching a larger area.

Cambridge cites two examples from English Grammar Today (2016), by Ronald Carter, Michael McCarthy, Geraldine Mark, and Anne O’Keeffe:

“We arrived at the art gallery just as it was closing. (The gallery is seen as a point.)”

“Immigrants who arrived in the country after 2005 have to take a special language test. (The country is seen as a larger area.)”

Help support the Grammarphobia Blog with your donation.  And check out our books about the English language.

from Blog – Grammarphobia http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2017/02/arrival-time.html

[johnadudek248-blog]

Personality Words - Project 2

Dictionary Definitions:

Busy – adjective, busier, busiest. actively and attentively engaged in work or a pastime: busy with her work. not at leisure; otherwise engaged: He couldn't see any visitors because he was busy. full of or characterized by activity: a busy life.     4. (of a telephone line) in use by a party or parties and not immediately accessible.     5. officious; meddlesome; prying.     6. ornate, disparate, or clashing in design or colors; cluttered with small, unharmonious details; fussy: The rug is too busy for this room.

verb (used with object), busied, busying.     7. to keep occupied; make or keep busy: In summer, he busied himself keeping the lawn in order.

Funny – adjective, funnier, funniest. providing fun; causing amusement or laughter; amusing; comical: a funny remark; a funny person. attempting to amuse; facetious: Did you really mean that or were you just being funny? warranting suspicion; deceitful; underhanded: We thought there was something funny about those extra charges. Informal. insolent; impertinent: Don't get funny with me, young man! curious; strange; peculiar; odd: Her speech has a funny twang.

noun, plural funnies.     6. Informal. a funny remark or story; a joke: to make a funny.     7. funnies. A comic strips.Also called funny paper. the section of a newspaper reserved for comic strips, word games, etc.

Night Owl – noun, Informal. a person who often stays up late at night; nighthawk.

Crafty – adjective, craftier, craftiest. 1.skillful in underhand or evil schemes; cunning; deceitful; sly. 2.Obsolete. skillful; ingenious; dexterous.

Esoteric – adjective 1.understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.

2.belonging to the select few.

3.private; secret; confidential.

4.(of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.

Rebellious – adjective 1.defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.

2.pertaining to or characteristic of rebels or rebellion.

3.(of things) resisting treatment; refractory.

Disorganized - adjective 1.functioning without adequate order, systemization, or planning; uncoordinated: a woefully disorganized enterprise.

2.careless or undisciplined; sloppy: too disorganized a person to be an agreeable roommate.

Team Player – noun 1.a person who willingly works in cooperation with others.

Musical – adjective 1.of, relating to, or producing music : a musical instrument. 2.of the nature of or resembling music; melodious; harmonious.

3.fond of or skilled in music.

4.set to or accompanied by music : a musical entertainment.

noun 5.Also called musical comedy. a play or motion picture in which the story line is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, and the like.

Laid-Back – adjective, Slang. 1. relaxed or unhurried: laid-back music rhythms. 2. free from stress; easygoing; carefree: a laid-back way of living.

Thesaurus Synonyms

Busy - active, unavailable, working, buried, employed, engaged, engrossed, hustling, occupied, overloaded, persevering, slaving, snowed, swamped, already taken, assiduous, at it, diligent, having a full plate, having enough on one’s, having fish to fry, having many irons in the fire, in a meeting, in conference, in someone else’s possession, in the field, in the laboratory, industrious, on assignment, on duty, on the go, tied up, up to one’s ears, with a customer.

Funny - absurd, amusing, droll, entertaining, hilarious, ludicrous, playful, ridiculous, silly, whimsical, antic, gas, gay, humdinger, jolly, killing, rich, riot, screaming, slapstick, blithe, capricious, clever, diverting, facetious, farcical, for grins, gelastic, good-humored, hysterical, jocose, jocular, joking, knee-slapper, laughable, merry, mirthful, priceless, riotous, risible, side-splitting, sportive, waggish, witty.

Night Owl - abandoned, corrupt, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissipated, evil, fast, fast and loose, gone bad, high living, in the fast lane, intemperate, lascivious, lax, lecherous, lewd, libertine, licentious, light, loose, nighthawk, on the take, open, player, profligate, raffish, rakish, reprobate, slack, swift, sybaritic, unconstrained, unprincipled, unrestrained, vicious, wanton, wayward, wicked, wild.

Crafty - astute, cagey, canny, devious, insidious, intelligent, shrewd, slick, sly, smart, subtle, wily, adroit, artful, calculating, crazy like fox, cunning, deceitful, deep, designing, disingenuous, duplicitous, foxy, fraudulent, guileful, keen, knowing, sharp, slippery, smooth, street smart, street wise, tricky, vulpine.

Esoteric - abstruse, arcane, mystical, acroamatic, cabalistic, cryptic, deep, Delphic, heavy, hermetic, hidden, inner, inscrutable, mystic, occult, orphic, private, profound, recondite, secret, sibylline.

Rebellious - alienated, disaffected, fractious, recalcitrant, restless, turbulent, unruly, warring, anarchistic, attacking, bellicose, contumacious, defiant, difficult, disloyal, disobedient, disorderly, dissident, factious, iconoclastic, incorrigible, individualistic, insurgent, insurrectionary, intractable, mutinous, obstinate, pugnacious, quarrlesome, radical, rebel, refractory, resistant, revolutionary, rioting, riotous, sabotaging, seditious, threatening, treasonable, ungovernable.

Disorganized - chaotic, confused, haphazard, muddled, disordered, jumbled, shuffled, disorderly, mixed up, screwed up, unsystematic.

Team-Player - assistant, associate, co-worker, colleague, confederate, helper, partner, quisling, teammate, fellow traveller, running dog.

Musical - choral, melodic, operatic, rhythmic, symphonic, vocal, blending, consonant, melodious, pleasing, sweet, agreeable, chiming, dulcet, euphonious, harmonious, lilting, mellow, orchestral, silvery, songful, sweet-sounding, symphonious, tuned, tuneful.

Laid-Back - easy-going, mellow, lax, low-pressure, undemanding, unhurried.

Etymology (Origin)

Busy - Old English bisig "careful, anxious," later "continually employed or occupied," cognate with Old Dutch bezich, Low German besig; no known connection with any other Germanic or Indo-European language. Still pronounced as in Middle English, but for some unclear reason the spelling shifted to -u- in 15c.

The notion of "anxiousness" has drained from the word since Middle English. Often in a bad sense in early Modern English, "prying, meddlesome" (preserved in busybody). The word was a euphemism for "sexually active" in 17c. Of telephone lines, 1893. Of display work, "excessively detailed, visually cluttered," 1903.

Funny - "humorous," 1756, from fun (n.) + -y (2). Meaning "strange, odd, causing perplexity" is by 1806, said to be originally U.S. Southern (marked as colloquial in Century Dictionary). The two senses of the word led to the retort question "funny ha-ha or funny peculiar," which is attested by 1916. Related: Funnier; funniest. Funny farm "mental hospital" is slang from 1962. Funny bone "elbow end of the humerus" (where the ulnar nerve passes relatively unprotected) is from 1826, so called for the tingling sensation when struck. Funny-man was originally (1854) a circus or stage clown.

Night Owl - "owl which flies at night," 1590s; applied since 1846 (American English) to persons who are up or out late at night. Compare night-hawk, also French hirondelle de nuit "prostitute," literally “night-swallow."

Crafty - mid-12c., crafti, from Old English cræftig "strong, powerful," later "skillful, ingenious," degenerating by c. 1200 to "cunning, sly" (but through 15c. also "skillfully done or made; intelligent, learned; artful, scientific") from craft (n.) + -y (2). Related: Craftily; craftiness.

Esoteric - 1650s, from Greek esoterikos "belonging to an inner circle" (Lucian), from esotero "more within," comparative adverb of eso "within," from PIE *ens-o-, suffixed form of *ens, extended form of root *en "in" (see en- (2)). Classically applied to certain popular and non-technical writings of Aristotle, later to doctrines of Pythagoras. In English, first of Pythagorean doctrines.

Rebellious - early 15c., from Latin rebellis (see rebel (adj.)) + -ous. Related: Rebelliously; rebelliousness.

Disorganized - 1793, from French désorganiser, from dés- "not" (see dis-) + organiser "organize" (see organize). This word and related forms were introduced in English in reference to the French Revolution. Related: Disorganized; disorganizing; disorganization.

Team-Player - 1885-90, Americanism

Musical - early 15c., "pertaining to music; tuneful, harmonious; adept at making music," from Middle French musical (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin musicalis, from Latin musica (see music). Musical box is from 1829. Children's game musical chairs is attested from 1877, hence use of musical as a modifier meaning "changing rapidly from one to another possessor" (1924). Related: Musically.

Laid-Back - 1905-10, for an earlier sense; 1970-75 for current sense

Links to Images

Busy - http://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2016/09/08/6360890219125892001111085486_busy.jpg

Funny - https://www.edutopia.org/sites/default/files/styles/responsive_2880px/public/cover_media/bellace-169hero-tough-istock.jpg?itok=vSvLRVnR&timestamp=1476733326

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2B8gqCAkSL._UL1500_.jpg

https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_1484w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2014/03/30/Production/Daily/Style/Images/bigstock-whoopee-cushion-61337648.jpg

Night Owl - http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v5h2qxDB1io/TS1e4jkkaaI/AAAAAAAABT0/MTIl__4IlzA/s1600/Wildlife%20Predator%20(29).jpg

http://s77.photobucket.com/user/serafin65/media/moon2.jpg.html

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71jcBLukJsL._SL1500_.jpg

Crafty - http://threecheers.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/craftyipad.jpg

http://www.holytrinitydartford.co.uk/htwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/artscrafts.jpg

Esoteric - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/33/25/bd/3325bdb899460728c79323c6002333a3.jpg

http://img07.deviantart.net/9613/i/2015/287/9/b/sigil_of_azazel_plaque_by_hydramstar-d9d3m2p.jpg

Rebellious - http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7Gjb18mbdw/T44miqTehZI/AAAAAAAABdk/-2fA2kl1Vrw/s1600/3.jpg

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/spore/images/f/f8/Generic_Rebel_Flag_1.png.png/revision/latest?cb=20121225014342

http://cdn.playbuzz.com/cdn/49bcec9e-1ea1-4834-8c8b-e6769481e79c/109feca1-4196-4203-8a1c-94f9d078fb72.jpg

Disorganized - https://thespacemaster.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/hires.jpg

http://www.news1130.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/9/2015/12/07/iStock_000027368621_Large.jpg

Team Player - https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/team-player-rubber-stamp-15760079.jpg

Musical - http://thegraphicsfairy.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/-ty4nFYoRN7U/T2EFU8DDv-I/AAAAAAAAQ8Y/nDYXeTWiacY/s1600/Printer-Orn-musical-Graphics-Fairy-rd.jpg

http://www.clipartkid.com/images/107/microphone-vector-clipart-panda-free-clipart-images-4mXnFS-clipart.png

Laid-Back - http://www.nomeatathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/HiRes.jpg

[zeroviraluniverse-blog]

The Magical—and Endangered—Whistling Language of Oaxaca

Visit Now - http://zeroviral.com/the-magical-and-endangered-whistling-language-of-oaxaca/

The Magical—and Endangered—Whistling Language of Oaxaca

The word thesaurus literally means “repository” or “storehouse,” and it ultimately comes from the same root as the word treasure. There’s certainly some treasure to be unearthed in one, so in honor of Thesaurus Day, here are 25 smart-sounding synonyms to reboot your vocabulary.

1. INSTEAD OF “PAUNCHY,” TRY USING “ABDOMINOUS.”

Derived from the same root as abdomen, if you’re abdominous then you have a paunchy stomach, or a large, protruding belly.

2. INSTEAD OF “BAD LANGUAGE,” TRY USING “BILLINGSGATE.”

Billingsgate was a famous fish market in central London. Thanks to the foul language of the people who worked there, the name eventually became synonymous with all coarse or abusive language.

3. INSTEAD OF “BAD IDEA,” TRY USING “CACOETHES.”

Derived from the Greek “bad character,” a cacoethes (that’s “ka-ko-EE-theez”) is an insatiable desire to do something inadvisable.

4. INSTEAD OF “SKILLFUL,” TRY USING “DAEDAL.”

Daedalus was the architect who built the Labyrinth in the ancient myth of the Minotaur, and, derived from his name, someone who is daedal is especially skilled or artful.

5. INSTEAD OF “CONFUSE,” TRY USING “EMBRANGLE.”

A brangle is a squabble or a noisy argument, while to embrangle someone is to throw them into a quandary or to utterly perplex them. An embranglement, likewise, is a tricky, confusing situation.

6. INSTEAD OF “FEVERISH,” TRY USING “FEBRILE.”

If you’ve come down with the flu you might be feeling febrile, or feverish. It might only be a febricula (that’s a light or passing fever), but nevertheless, you might need a febrifuge (a drug that lowers your temperature).

7. INSTEAD OF “SLIPPERY,” TRY USING “GLIDDERY.”

If something glidders, it freezes over, which makes something gliddery very slippery, as if covered in ice.

8. INSTEAD OF “GOOSE BUMPS,” TRY USING “HORRIPILATION.”

That’s the medical name for this curious phenomenon, which is also called gooseflesh, henflesh, or goose-pimpling.

9. INSTEAD OF “APPROPRIATE,” TRY USING “IDONEOUS.”

It’s a little on the old-fashioned side, but idoneous, derived from the Latin word idoneus, makes a perfectly, well, appropriate replacement for words like proper, fit, and suitable.

10. INSTEAD OF “BOASTING,” TRY USING “JACTANCE.”

Derived from a Latin word meaning “to boast” or “speak out,” jactance or jactancy is vainglorious boasting.

11. INSTEAD OF “RECOGNIZABLE,” TRY USING “KENSPECKLE.”

A word from Scots dialect but with its roots in Scandinavia, kenspeck or kenspeckle means “easily recognizable” or “conspicuous.”

12. INSTEAD OF “INDIFFERENT,” TRY USING “LAODICEAN.”

Laodicea was a city in ancient Asia Minor. According to the biblical Book of Revelation, the people of Laodicea were known for their religious apathy, their fair-weather faith, and their lukewarm interest in the church—all of which prompted a pretty stern letter from St. John. As a result, a Laodicean is an apathetic, indifferent, or unconcerned person when it comes to religion.

13. INSTEAD OF “SMELLY,” TRY USING “MEPHITIC.”

A mephitis is a noxious, foul-smelling fume emanating from inside the earth, and anything that smells as bad as that is mephitic. Case in point, skunks were known as “mephitic weasels” is the 19th century.

14. INSTEAD OF “MISER,” TRY USING “NIPCHEESE.”

As well as being another name for a ship’s purser (the steward in charge of the ship’s accounts), a nipcheese is a mean, penny-pinching person. Feel free to also call your most miserly friend a nip-farthing, a shut-purse, a pinch-plum, or a sharp-nose.

15. INSTEAD OF “BEND,” TRY USING “OBLIQUATE.”

Derived from the same root as the word oblique, if something obliquates then it turns or bends to one side.

16. INSTEAD OF “CONCISE,” TRY USING “PAUCILOQUENT.”

Ironically, the thesaurus is full of weird and wonderful words for people who don’t say very much. As well as pauciloquent, people who like to keep things brief can be laconic, synoptic, or breviloquent.

17. INSTEAD OF “QUINTESSENCE,” TRY USING “QUIDDITY.”

Quintessence is already a fairly smart-sounding word, but you can up the stakes with quiddity: Derived from a Latin word meaning “who,” the quiddity of something is the very essence or nature of something, or a distinctive feature or characteristic.

18. INSTEAD OF “CHEERFUL,” TRY USING “RIANT.”

Derived via French from the Latin word for “laugh,” if you’re riant then you’re cheerful or mirthful. A riant landscape or image, likewise, is one that makes you happy or is pleasurable to look at.

19. INSTEAD OF “TWITCHY,” TRY USING “SACCADIC.”

A saccade is an involuntary twitch or movement of the eye—and, figuratively, that makes someone who is saccadic characteristically fidgety, twitchy, or restless.

20. INSTEAD OF “EQUIVOCATE,” TRY USING “TERGIVERSATE.”

To tergiversate literally means “to turn your back on” something, but more loosely, it means to dodge a question or issue, or to avoid a straightforward explanation.

21. INSTEAD OF “HOWL,” TRY USING “ULULATE.”

Probably originally meant to be onomatopoeic, ululation is a howling sound like that made by wolves. More figuratively, to ululate can be used to mean “to bewail” or “lament.”

22. INSTEAD OF “PREDICT,” TRY USING “VATICINATE.”

Derived from the Latin word for a soothsayer or seer, to vaticinate is to prophesize or predict something.

23. INSTEAD OF “UNLUCKY,” TRY USING “WANCHANCY.”

Wanchance is an old Scots dialect word for misfortune. Derived from that, the adjective wanchancy has fallen into more widespread use to mean “unlucky,” “ill-fated,” or in some contexts, “uncanny” or “eerily coincidental.”

24. INSTEAD OF “LAST NIGHT,” TRY USING “YESTERNIGHT.”

There are more yester– words in the dictionary than just yesterday. As well as yesternight, there’s yesterweek, yestereve, and yestermorn.

25. INSTEAD OF “CRITICISM,” TRY USING “ZOILISM.”

Zoilus was one of the harshest critics of the ancient Greek writer Homer, and he was known for his scathing, nit-picking attacks on Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Derived from him, a zoilist is an overbearingly harsh critic, while unduly harsh criticism is zoilism.