Frequently we become so accustomed to words that we use them automatically without too much attention to the idiosyncrasies that ride along with them. With this thought in mind I have determined to take the following list along the next time I have a doctor's appointment.
Does a nurse have to study Art before she can draw blood ?
If you get ill at an airport will it be a terminal illness ?
Are Doctor's fees ill-gotten gains ?
Can you find out more about your body in your appendix ?
Why do doctors use a scalpel when they are not operating on a head ?
If the nurse checks your heart rate a second time, are you repulsed ?
Do you have to be ambulatory to get in an ambulance ?
Why, years after they left University, are doctors still practising medicine ?
What exactly surges during surgery ?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Anatomy of Language
The gossip around the market place says that there is going to be another educational change, with a national curriculum for specific subjects. One of these will be Grammar which will be taught right up to Year 12. If this should come to pass and is not subverted by the Troglodyte Party, I shall immediately start petitioning the Pope for early canonisation for Saint Julia.
It is a sad fact that for many, many years, the understanding of our language and all the bells and whistles that make it work has not received adequate emphasis in Primary School and has disappeared into the ether at Secondary Level. Too many of our existing teachers have passed through their own school years with only a casual acquaintance with Grammar and are really ill equipped to teach the subject even if it had been part of school policy.
It seems strange that if a student undertakes a serious study of a foreign language, not just oral use of social phrases and sentences, they embark on a thorough analysis of the composition of the language, the correct use of its components, and perhaps a history of its development. Yet with their own language, it is often a hopeful matter of osmosis. I am not supporting a climate of competitive learning and regurgitation of definitions and examples. A carefully graded interaction with the components and their use in a stimulating, enjoyable manner should create a love for the excitement of words. Again, it should not mean a slavish adherence to former usage, simply because that was how it was once done. Language will change, and as long as there is a clearly defined understanding of current usage, these differences should themselves be examined and codified so that all children in Australia have a whole-school experience with as many aspects of a living language as possible.
This should not result in disposal of the recent emphasis upon an experiential creative approach to written work and sometimes oral work. The two aspects should complement one another to result in unambiguous creations that give pleasure to the creator and the recipient, now and in the future. I shudder to think that a laissez-faire approach to our language resulted in a future Telephone Text Message Language devoid of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, etc. and their skilful, exciting use in phrases and sentences of beauty. It's always pleasant to dream !
It is a sad fact that for many, many years, the understanding of our language and all the bells and whistles that make it work has not received adequate emphasis in Primary School and has disappeared into the ether at Secondary Level. Too many of our existing teachers have passed through their own school years with only a casual acquaintance with Grammar and are really ill equipped to teach the subject even if it had been part of school policy.
It seems strange that if a student undertakes a serious study of a foreign language, not just oral use of social phrases and sentences, they embark on a thorough analysis of the composition of the language, the correct use of its components, and perhaps a history of its development. Yet with their own language, it is often a hopeful matter of osmosis. I am not supporting a climate of competitive learning and regurgitation of definitions and examples. A carefully graded interaction with the components and their use in a stimulating, enjoyable manner should create a love for the excitement of words. Again, it should not mean a slavish adherence to former usage, simply because that was how it was once done. Language will change, and as long as there is a clearly defined understanding of current usage, these differences should themselves be examined and codified so that all children in Australia have a whole-school experience with as many aspects of a living language as possible.
This should not result in disposal of the recent emphasis upon an experiential creative approach to written work and sometimes oral work. The two aspects should complement one another to result in unambiguous creations that give pleasure to the creator and the recipient, now and in the future. I shudder to think that a laissez-faire approach to our language resulted in a future Telephone Text Message Language devoid of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, etc. and their skilful, exciting use in phrases and sentences of beauty. It's always pleasant to dream !
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Christopher Robin Addenda
As usual when dealing with human relationships, deeper delving will show that almost invariably "there are two sides to every story". Both A.A. Milne and Christopher R. made their contributions to the rifts that developed through the years. Christopher did suffer emotionally during his childhood, at school, and as an adult from time to time when the constant interest of people with the fictional representation of the little boy and their lack of understanding of the feelings of the real-life individual caused distress. It seems that his early childhood was untainted by the books, but his antipathy began when he attended boarding school at about ten.
To his credit, Christopher seems to have worked hard to become his own man. He studied hard and at University took great geat pleasure in having greater Mathematical skills than his father, though a little less in the literate side. He had sporting interests, particularly in Cricket and Boxing. He learnt the latter in order to deal with the schoolboy teasers who persisted in equating him with the long, blond-haired "angel" of the poems and stories.
He showed great interest and skill in repairing and creating objects, particularly in the mechanical field, and took great pride as a boy and as a man at the extreme effectiveness of his skills. He volunteered to join the army and was accepted in the regular corps, but later transferred to the Engineers which he considered more suited to his talents. Incidentally, this transfer was effected by Milne's intercession with high Army brass. He served effectively in several theatres of war. He married happily, and for many years they ran what became a well-known Bookshop. In later years, he wrote several books, including two biographies about his childhood and subsequent adult escape from Winnie and Co. Extracts from these seem to indicate a wry, witty man and I shall have to begin a search for "The Enchanted Places" and " The Path Through The Trees". Unfortunately, both are now out of print, so it looks like a patient trawl through Thrift and Second-hand Book Shops will be necessary.
An interesting aside: A.A. had hoped for a girl and had Rosemary chosen as a name. When the baby was a boy, one parent chose Robin and the other Christopher. However the boy chose his own name as soon as he could speak properly. He called himself Billy Moon, and the family ended up calling him Billy. So that's how that happened.
And now we say farewell to Christopher Robin and his fictional friends.
To his credit, Christopher seems to have worked hard to become his own man. He studied hard and at University took great geat pleasure in having greater Mathematical skills than his father, though a little less in the literate side. He had sporting interests, particularly in Cricket and Boxing. He learnt the latter in order to deal with the schoolboy teasers who persisted in equating him with the long, blond-haired "angel" of the poems and stories.
He showed great interest and skill in repairing and creating objects, particularly in the mechanical field, and took great pride as a boy and as a man at the extreme effectiveness of his skills. He volunteered to join the army and was accepted in the regular corps, but later transferred to the Engineers which he considered more suited to his talents. Incidentally, this transfer was effected by Milne's intercession with high Army brass. He served effectively in several theatres of war. He married happily, and for many years they ran what became a well-known Bookshop. In later years, he wrote several books, including two biographies about his childhood and subsequent adult escape from Winnie and Co. Extracts from these seem to indicate a wry, witty man and I shall have to begin a search for "The Enchanted Places" and " The Path Through The Trees". Unfortunately, both are now out of print, so it looks like a patient trawl through Thrift and Second-hand Book Shops will be necessary.
An interesting aside: A.A. had hoped for a girl and had Rosemary chosen as a name. When the baby was a boy, one parent chose Robin and the other Christopher. However the boy chose his own name as soon as he could speak properly. He called himself Billy Moon, and the family ended up calling him Billy. So that's how that happened.
And now we say farewell to Christopher Robin and his fictional friends.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Christopher Robin & Associates
It is chastening to realize that sometimes the best intentioned actions are not perceived kindly by the recipient. The subtleties of communication are often lost between sender and receiver, resulting in unnecessary conflict. Such appears to have been the case with Alan Alexander Milne and his son Christopher Robin.
A. A. Milne was the son of two teachers, so it can be appreciated that education and an ability to write would have been encouraged in that family. Milne went to Westminster School where one of his teachers was H. G. Wells who became an early writer of Science Fiction. Milne admired Wells who naturally supported the development of his talent.
Milne and his wife Daphne had only one son, Christopher Robin. He was loved by both parents who, for reasons known only to them, called him Billy, or Billy Moon. At bedtime, Milne regularly told little made-up tales to Christopher. Favourite toys, a bear called Edward, a tiger and other stuffed toys were often the main characters in the stories. Owl and Rabbit were not original members but were added when the book was written.
"Billy" had an adventure in the London Zoological Gardens when he was allowed to feed a tame bear in his cage with milk from a bottle. The bear was named Winnie (shortened from Winnipeg). Of course he became a focal character in subsequent stories. Milne's first publication was "Vespers" in 1923 ("Christopher Robin is saying his prayers"). In 1924 he wrote a collection of poems which included one about a tubby bear. In 1926 came " Now We Are Six", and in 1928 the famous " House At Pooh Corner". Christopher was a very shy boy and did not enjoy the attention that his father's books brought to him. "Vespers" was put to music and became a very popular and frequently played tune, which must have added to Christopher's concerns.
Unfortunately, Christopher wouldn't have any of them read to him by his father, and he didn't read any of them himself until he was sixty years of age. The writings, revered by so many, blighted his life and caused estrangements with his father. Instead of the intimate poems and stories, Milne read tales by P.G.Wodehouse to the boy as he became older.
So there we are. It so sad that such delightful creations, written with the best of intentions, I am sure, would be the cause of a resentful, spoiled relationship. I suppose that Milne's consolation would have been that thousands of other children would have enjoyed his works through many years. We hope that Christopher was able to have an otherwise fulfilling life.
A. A. Milne was the son of two teachers, so it can be appreciated that education and an ability to write would have been encouraged in that family. Milne went to Westminster School where one of his teachers was H. G. Wells who became an early writer of Science Fiction. Milne admired Wells who naturally supported the development of his talent.
Milne and his wife Daphne had only one son, Christopher Robin. He was loved by both parents who, for reasons known only to them, called him Billy, or Billy Moon. At bedtime, Milne regularly told little made-up tales to Christopher. Favourite toys, a bear called Edward, a tiger and other stuffed toys were often the main characters in the stories. Owl and Rabbit were not original members but were added when the book was written.
"Billy" had an adventure in the London Zoological Gardens when he was allowed to feed a tame bear in his cage with milk from a bottle. The bear was named Winnie (shortened from Winnipeg). Of course he became a focal character in subsequent stories. Milne's first publication was "Vespers" in 1923 ("Christopher Robin is saying his prayers"). In 1924 he wrote a collection of poems which included one about a tubby bear. In 1926 came " Now We Are Six", and in 1928 the famous " House At Pooh Corner". Christopher was a very shy boy and did not enjoy the attention that his father's books brought to him. "Vespers" was put to music and became a very popular and frequently played tune, which must have added to Christopher's concerns.
Unfortunately, Christopher wouldn't have any of them read to him by his father, and he didn't read any of them himself until he was sixty years of age. The writings, revered by so many, blighted his life and caused estrangements with his father. Instead of the intimate poems and stories, Milne read tales by P.G.Wodehouse to the boy as he became older.
So there we are. It so sad that such delightful creations, written with the best of intentions, I am sure, would be the cause of a resentful, spoiled relationship. I suppose that Milne's consolation would have been that thousands of other children would have enjoyed his works through many years. We hope that Christopher was able to have an otherwise fulfilling life.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Error Correction
It's interesting to note how "False Memory" can be so strong that it can completely eradicate the truth. I succumbed slightly when my memory associated the supposed "TV commercial" with childhood activities. The association was valid, but the initial impetus for the flashback was not an early Brisbane commercial. It has been repeated a couple of times recently, and it would seem that my memory was triggered by a preview for the forthcoming Sunday evening movie on ABC, " To Kill A Mocking Bird". In a very quick image, someone rolls across the screen in a rather large tyre. I will need to watch the movie once again to check, but it looks as if the passenger in the tyre may indeed be a girl, ( unlike the Grange tyre propellers ), and is probably the heroine, Scout Finch. As well as the great qualities of both the book and the film,I now have an extra interest in the minutiae of the film.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Juvenile Locomotion
A nostalgic mood can be triggered so easily and at times so unexpectedly, ignoring intervening years and leaping back to childhood escapades. In a recent television flashback about life in Brisbane in the early forties, there was a very brief glimpse of a boy curled up in a car tyre, just rolling along. It was literally a two-second shot, but the rest of the programme disappeared as I returned to my childhood days, about age nine or ten.
In retrospect, it seems that the boys of our street at that time seldom moved unless accompanied by a car tyre. Forget about those sissy hoops seen in English comics ! [ Only two sisters lived in our street and they were not allowed the freedom to wander that the little males were given.] So tyre-rolling was strictly a boys' preserve. This period was probably between having a scooter and not yet acquiring the long-desired bicycle. The tyres chosen were usually tall and narrow like those on an old T-model Ford, unlike today's chubby donuts which are useful only for moving cars. Because they were relatively light, the tyres were easily bowled along by hand and therefore they were hurtling up and down our street most evenings just before dusk, or accompanying us across country to Kedron Brook, or even as far as the Yankee Dump where they might be discarded or exchanged for a new model for the trip home. There was no sentiment in tyre bowling circles. Tyres are more suited to rapid transit than a boring walking pace so most tyre motion was done at a running pace. Despite my nickname, there were no fat boys in our neighbourhood.
By far the most fun we had with tyres was to curl up inside one, (like the boy in the TV clip), grip the sides tightly and allow a mate to propel the tyre down our dead-end street. A black right hand was the sign of a regular tyre propeller. I can remember the excitement and laughter, but strangely not the gravel rashes that must have accompanied our fun. Not one family in our street owned a car, so the street was invariably our domain.
If, at any time, the street was declared out of bounds by higher authority there was always the back yard. This did not even require a "driver" as the house was on the side of a hill, so gravity did the job of propulsion, and in emergencies the back wall of the house provided a brake, admittedly a little abruptly.
Sadly, we became "too big" for that game, or someone was hurt, creating an embargo on tyre trips , or maybe a pair of narrower tyres attached to a bicycle frame automatically ended the era of the used tyre propulsion. It was fun while it lasted !
In retrospect, it seems that the boys of our street at that time seldom moved unless accompanied by a car tyre. Forget about those sissy hoops seen in English comics ! [ Only two sisters lived in our street and they were not allowed the freedom to wander that the little males were given.] So tyre-rolling was strictly a boys' preserve. This period was probably between having a scooter and not yet acquiring the long-desired bicycle. The tyres chosen were usually tall and narrow like those on an old T-model Ford, unlike today's chubby donuts which are useful only for moving cars. Because they were relatively light, the tyres were easily bowled along by hand and therefore they were hurtling up and down our street most evenings just before dusk, or accompanying us across country to Kedron Brook, or even as far as the Yankee Dump where they might be discarded or exchanged for a new model for the trip home. There was no sentiment in tyre bowling circles. Tyres are more suited to rapid transit than a boring walking pace so most tyre motion was done at a running pace. Despite my nickname, there were no fat boys in our neighbourhood.
By far the most fun we had with tyres was to curl up inside one, (like the boy in the TV clip), grip the sides tightly and allow a mate to propel the tyre down our dead-end street. A black right hand was the sign of a regular tyre propeller. I can remember the excitement and laughter, but strangely not the gravel rashes that must have accompanied our fun. Not one family in our street owned a car, so the street was invariably our domain.
If, at any time, the street was declared out of bounds by higher authority there was always the back yard. This did not even require a "driver" as the house was on the side of a hill, so gravity did the job of propulsion, and in emergencies the back wall of the house provided a brake, admittedly a little abruptly.
Sadly, we became "too big" for that game, or someone was hurt, creating an embargo on tyre trips , or maybe a pair of narrower tyres attached to a bicycle frame automatically ended the era of the used tyre propulsion. It was fun while it lasted !
Friday, February 12, 2010
Crash Blossoms
Words can sometimes be recalcitrant creatures. You think you have them trained to say what you want them to say, then you find rebels who decide to convey an entirely different message. We heap praise on the bright little words who have developed the capacity to have differing meanings or even stand for completely different things. But the rogues are always lurking, and it seems that one of the favourite people they try to catch unawares is the Headline Writer. Examples of their misbehaviour are constantly being collected, some of which can be proved to be true and probably just as many which surely must be apocryphal. All provoke some interesting pictures.
These misinterpreted headlines have been called Crash Blossoms or Garden Paths. Here are some chosen examples that caused me to react with a gentle smile and sometimes with a surprised chuckle.
McDONALD'S FRIES THE HOLY GRAIL FOR FARMERS
BRITISH LEFT WAFFLES ON FALKLANDS
SQUAD HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM
RED TAPE HOLDS UP BRIDGE
'GATOR ATTACKS PUZZLE EXPERTS
JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT
MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
SMOKING RISKIER THAN THOUGHT
LAWMEN FROM MEXICO BARBECUE GUESTS
POLICE CANT STOP GAMBLING
ANTIQUE STRIPPER TO DISPLAY WARES IN STORE
POLICE DISCOVER CRACK IN AUSTRALIA
GRANDMOTHER OF EIGHT SHOOTS A HOLE IN ONE
STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE.
It seems that Proof-readers, Spellcheck, or disgrunted readers cannot rein in these lurking monsters. Thank Goodness !
These misinterpreted headlines have been called Crash Blossoms or Garden Paths. Here are some chosen examples that caused me to react with a gentle smile and sometimes with a surprised chuckle.
McDONALD'S FRIES THE HOLY GRAIL FOR FARMERS
BRITISH LEFT WAFFLES ON FALKLANDS
SQUAD HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM
RED TAPE HOLDS UP BRIDGE
'GATOR ATTACKS PUZZLE EXPERTS
JUVENILE COURT TO TRY SHOOTING DEFENDANT
MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
SMOKING RISKIER THAN THOUGHT
LAWMEN FROM MEXICO BARBECUE GUESTS
POLICE CANT STOP GAMBLING
ANTIQUE STRIPPER TO DISPLAY WARES IN STORE
POLICE DISCOVER CRACK IN AUSTRALIA
GRANDMOTHER OF EIGHT SHOOTS A HOLE IN ONE
STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE.
It seems that Proof-readers, Spellcheck, or disgrunted readers cannot rein in these lurking monsters. Thank Goodness !
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Talking Strine
Recently, there was a program on TV examining Australian speech patterns. Reference was made to a book published in the 1960s called "Strine" by Afferbeck Lauder. I used to own this whimsical paperback, probably a Christmas or Birthday gift from a perceptive family member with sound values. Already republished three times in the '60s, a new edition has hit the bookshops, so I will probably chase it up to renew old acquaintance.
A few of the definitions that have whetted my appetite, (what a cute little cliche !) are offered to emphasize the high-quality scholarship expended on this cultural icon.
Scona : A meteorological term, as in, Scona rine; scona clearup.
Semmitch : Two slices of bread with a filling in between, as in, M-semmitch; semmen semmitch; chee semmitch. Here is the way to order a semmitch in a shop.
A. Sell semmitches ?
B. Air; emeny jiwant ?
A. Gimmie utter martyr an an airman pikkle.
Emma charday ?
Share : (a) Bathroom water spray, as in, Wine chevver cole share ? or, I think I'll ever shy venner not share. (b) Rain, as in, Scadded shares an thunnerstorms.
All entries are in Afferbeck Lauder.
A few of the definitions that have whetted my appetite, (what a cute little cliche !) are offered to emphasize the high-quality scholarship expended on this cultural icon.
Scona : A meteorological term, as in, Scona rine; scona clearup.
Semmitch : Two slices of bread with a filling in between, as in, M-semmitch; semmen semmitch; chee semmitch. Here is the way to order a semmitch in a shop.
A. Sell semmitches ?
B. Air; emeny jiwant ?
A. Gimmie utter martyr an an airman pikkle.
Emma charday ?
Share : (a) Bathroom water spray, as in, Wine chevver cole share ? or, I think I'll ever shy venner not share. (b) Rain, as in, Scadded shares an thunnerstorms.
All entries are in Afferbeck Lauder.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time Wasters
Bertrand Russell was a Philospher and a Mathematician who received a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. He is reputed to have said, " There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge ". These words coming from such a learned man strongly validate my interest in this neglected area. If only I could get more people to recognise this, I too could have had a Nobel Prize for Literature in the area of Collection of Useless Information. It's probably too late for me, but in order to assist other devotees to persevere and perhaps capture this rare prize, I am quite willing to share my Useless Knowledge (Hereinafter called U.K.; not to be confused with the United Kingdom, although a lot of my U.K. collection does seem to emanate from there.)
An example of U.K.
A Lipogram is the omission of a specific letter from a written work, keeping the same meaning but substituting words that don't contain the forbidden letter. It is harder than it looks. Here is "Mary Had A Little Lamb" without the letter "s", (not my work but the creation of some anonymous time-waster.)
Mary had a little lamb
With fleece a pale white hue,
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb kept her in view;
To academe he went with her
Illegal and quite rare;
It made the children laugh and play
To view a lamb in there.
For those who may remain a little unconvinced, I finish with another aphorism from B. Russell: "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time ". This type of advice to young people might not be appreciated by dyspeptic pedagogues or passionate parents,
but to the rest of us it is an inspiration. On with the search !
An example of U.K.
A Lipogram is the omission of a specific letter from a written work, keeping the same meaning but substituting words that don't contain the forbidden letter. It is harder than it looks. Here is "Mary Had A Little Lamb" without the letter "s", (not my work but the creation of some anonymous time-waster.)
Mary had a little lamb
With fleece a pale white hue,
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb kept her in view;
To academe he went with her
Illegal and quite rare;
It made the children laugh and play
To view a lamb in there.
For those who may remain a little unconvinced, I finish with another aphorism from B. Russell: "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time ". This type of advice to young people might not be appreciated by dyspeptic pedagogues or passionate parents,
but to the rest of us it is an inspiration. On with the search !
Monday, February 8, 2010
Library Musings
A visit to our local library made me ponder about the way in which such establishments have changed over the years. When I was a boy, (that famous phrase used so frequently by geriatric gossips), public libraries were not common. I am sure there were lots more than I was aware of, but I can recall only one large one in Ann Street in the city. This would have been run by the Brisbane City Council. There were a few "private" libraries scattered about, however. When I was about 15, riding on a tram to work, I noticed a Lending Library in a row of shops at Windsor. So, in the afternoon I got off the tram well before my regular stop to explore this little treasure house. Naturally I joined, paid a small fee, and began borrowing fiction novels for a while. Breaking my journey meant a walk home of a couple of miles, as I didn't want to squander pennies on the tram. It was worth the effort, especially as in those days of minimal traffic, a book could be commenced on the way home.
Later I discovered another source of books when I came across a library either under or near the Courier Mail building in Queen Street, Brisbane.In my lunch hour, I could just find time to walk from my workplace at Petrie Bight to the Library ( and back, of course), this time devouring a sandwich not a book. The library was called The Saint Thomas Aquinas Library, and as might be supposed it was run by a Catholic organization. At that time the Catholic Church had a censorship group that listed proscribed books that they considered immoral or sinful,and not to be read by the flock. These days, their choices would be considered hilarious, but they certainly would not have been found at Aquinas. I think I remember that "The Three Musketeers" was one of the naughty books, so I suppose I'll pay for reading that (and others) eventually. One series of short stories I encountered was Chesterton's "Father Brown" stories, a gentle introduction to the hundreds of mystery stories I was to enjoy in subsequent years.
One challenge I set myself at Aquinas was to read Dante's "Paradise Lost ", a massive task, but eventually finished and this provided a stepping stone to further "classical" writings. If you can persevere with Dante, the other ancient scribes are all down hill difficultywise. (I think I've discovered a new word).
These libraries were not large, and fairly quickly ceased to provide sustenance to a rapidly increasing voracious appetite. Once my peregrinations began with my teaching career, contact with Public Libraries was minimal until .... but that's another story !
Later I discovered another source of books when I came across a library either under or near the Courier Mail building in Queen Street, Brisbane.In my lunch hour, I could just find time to walk from my workplace at Petrie Bight to the Library ( and back, of course), this time devouring a sandwich not a book. The library was called The Saint Thomas Aquinas Library, and as might be supposed it was run by a Catholic organization. At that time the Catholic Church had a censorship group that listed proscribed books that they considered immoral or sinful,and not to be read by the flock. These days, their choices would be considered hilarious, but they certainly would not have been found at Aquinas. I think I remember that "The Three Musketeers" was one of the naughty books, so I suppose I'll pay for reading that (and others) eventually. One series of short stories I encountered was Chesterton's "Father Brown" stories, a gentle introduction to the hundreds of mystery stories I was to enjoy in subsequent years.
One challenge I set myself at Aquinas was to read Dante's "Paradise Lost ", a massive task, but eventually finished and this provided a stepping stone to further "classical" writings. If you can persevere with Dante, the other ancient scribes are all down hill difficultywise. (I think I've discovered a new word).
These libraries were not large, and fairly quickly ceased to provide sustenance to a rapidly increasing voracious appetite. Once my peregrinations began with my teaching career, contact with Public Libraries was minimal until .... but that's another story !
Friday, February 5, 2010
Strange Occupations
In a paint manufacturing firm, who has the job of giving the paint colours their names ? Is paint-naming a specialised craft or something that is palmed off onto the office boy or another staff member with a history of under-achievement ? I don't remember seeing any newspaper advertisements seeking a highly qualified lateral-thinking person for the position of Hue Titler, previous experience not necessary. Perhaps employers have a stall at School Careers Day where an expert, staring fixedly at a pile of coloured splotches, tries to encourage school-leavers to venture into this unusual field with great future opportunities. Are there University Courses, e.g. Paint Nomenclature 101, where you could get your Degree and perhaps move on to a Post-graduate Thesis, perhaps even a Fellowship ? Maybe there is a source, perhaps on the Web, that can explain the reasoning behind the choice of combining a particular colour with an imaginative description. Obviously the "namers" are highly creative and alive to current trends, but the potential purchaser of the paint must frequently puzzle over the aptness of a title and whether said title immediately calls up a specific colour image.
If I could enrol in a course such as one of the above, or have contact with a Public Relations employee of a paint firm, would I find it any easier to understand this esoteric career ? So many questions remain unanswered ! I am studying a Paint Chart to try and solve some of them.
What induced a Titler to call an anaemic pinky-grey, Wollybutt ? (Not Woollybutt which at least calls up some intriguing pictures ; but Wolybutt ?) Do they think that Koonunga will make me see a muddy dark green ? (I freely offer that name for future use -- Muddy Dark Green). Another offering is a darkish grey with a bluish tinge called Dunny Do. I'm sure you'd rush out to buy a couple cans of that, wouldn't you ? Perhaps you would prefer a flat, bland blue called Scruple -- and I never ever knew that Scruples were blue. Maybe flat Ginko, a subtle shade of black, would be your preference. Some colours on the chart do seem to have names that could be considered relevant. Red Fire is a deep red ball; it looks like a red fire-ball. I'll bet that colour selector received a rap over the knuckles at the Monthly Staff Meeting for that slip. The manager would be fuming to think that an uninitiated user could understand the link between number and name. Further errors like that could signal the end of their secret cult, and would certainly see the departure of the lack-lustre employee and a series of job offers appearing in the local paper.
Be on the lookout for Dan Brown's next book which is based on this particular phenomena. It has been tentatively titled " The Mystery Of The Bundena Blue Code & The Rainbow Connection"
If I could enrol in a course such as one of the above, or have contact with a Public Relations employee of a paint firm, would I find it any easier to understand this esoteric career ? So many questions remain unanswered ! I am studying a Paint Chart to try and solve some of them.
What induced a Titler to call an anaemic pinky-grey, Wollybutt ? (Not Woollybutt which at least calls up some intriguing pictures ; but Wolybutt ?) Do they think that Koonunga will make me see a muddy dark green ? (I freely offer that name for future use -- Muddy Dark Green). Another offering is a darkish grey with a bluish tinge called Dunny Do. I'm sure you'd rush out to buy a couple cans of that, wouldn't you ? Perhaps you would prefer a flat, bland blue called Scruple -- and I never ever knew that Scruples were blue. Maybe flat Ginko, a subtle shade of black, would be your preference. Some colours on the chart do seem to have names that could be considered relevant. Red Fire is a deep red ball; it looks like a red fire-ball. I'll bet that colour selector received a rap over the knuckles at the Monthly Staff Meeting for that slip. The manager would be fuming to think that an uninitiated user could understand the link between number and name. Further errors like that could signal the end of their secret cult, and would certainly see the departure of the lack-lustre employee and a series of job offers appearing in the local paper.
Be on the lookout for Dan Brown's next book which is based on this particular phenomena. It has been tentatively titled " The Mystery Of The Bundena Blue Code & The Rainbow Connection"
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Famous Friends
Some aspects of human nature seem to be common throught the world. One of these is the tendency to become excited when links, no matter how tenuous, with someone famous,or even notorious, are discovered. Such an interesting case has recently come to our notice.
The spelling of surnames varied quite considerably through the years, especially around the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Various branches of a family would finally settle on a particular form. Some people used several different spellings for their name at different times. The Okey family is one good example, using Okey, Oakey, O'Key, Oke and Okes. Similarly, the Beadles also developed several ways of spelling their name. One of these was Bedell which eventually became strong around Kent, and was exported to America. This has been a long-winded approach to the reason why Mrs Wordsmith is seriously considering taking out American citizenship.
In 1860 a little Bedell girl from New York State wrote the following letter ....
Hon A B Lincoln
Oct. 15, 1860
Dear Sir
My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr.Hamlin's. I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as I am if so give them my love and tell them to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brother's and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husband's to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try and get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter dirct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chataque County New York
I must not write any more answer this letter right off Goodbye
Grace Bedell
Four days later, Lincoln replied. Manners and the postal service were obviously better in those days.
Springfield,Ill., Oct 19, 1860
Miss Grace Bedell
My dear little Miss,
Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons -- one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin right now ?
Your very sincere well-wisher
A. Lincoln
Eventually Lincoln did grow a beard of sorts. Whether this influenced his popularity, we will never know. Did Grace Bedell change the history of the United States and the world ? Wouldn't it be lovely to think you had some relationship with this bright little girl ?
The spelling of surnames varied quite considerably through the years, especially around the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Various branches of a family would finally settle on a particular form. Some people used several different spellings for their name at different times. The Okey family is one good example, using Okey, Oakey, O'Key, Oke and Okes. Similarly, the Beadles also developed several ways of spelling their name. One of these was Bedell which eventually became strong around Kent, and was exported to America. This has been a long-winded approach to the reason why Mrs Wordsmith is seriously considering taking out American citizenship.
In 1860 a little Bedell girl from New York State wrote the following letter ....
Hon A B Lincoln
Oct. 15, 1860
Dear Sir
My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr.Hamlin's. I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as I am if so give them my love and tell them to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brother's and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husband's to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try and get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter dirct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chataque County New York
I must not write any more answer this letter right off Goodbye
Grace Bedell
Four days later, Lincoln replied. Manners and the postal service were obviously better in those days.
Springfield,Ill., Oct 19, 1860
Miss Grace Bedell
My dear little Miss,
Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters. I have three sons -- one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin right now ?
Your very sincere well-wisher
A. Lincoln
Eventually Lincoln did grow a beard of sorts. Whether this influenced his popularity, we will never know. Did Grace Bedell change the history of the United States and the world ? Wouldn't it be lovely to think you had some relationship with this bright little girl ?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Burrowing Beadles
While researching to find more information about the Okey Clan, I discovered a few more names to add to the list; (an extra 19 names, including children). We knew already that Mrs Wordsmith's great-great grandfather, John Sharp OKEY, married Elizabeth BEADLE. We also were aware of her father and grandfather (great-great-great grandfather Thomas BEADLE, b 1815; and great-great-great-great grandfather John BEADLE, b. 1788). I am pleased to add great-great-great-great-great grandfather Joseph BEADLE, b. 1757, his wife Nancy WALTON and 8 more kids, including John; and great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, another John b. 1722, and half-a-dozen kids including Joseph. The BEADLE name and its numerous variations appears to have originated in Yorkshire, and nearby Middleton-in-Teesdale, Durham became a stronghold of Beadles for many generations. It seems that most of them were miners in the lead, coal and ironstone mines. Both John Jnr and his dad Joseph married women from the WALTON family.
BEADLE is an interesting name. A beadle was originally a minor parish official in the Church of England who acted as an usher and kept order as a constable. One interesting beadle in literature was Mr Bumble the poor-house supervisor in Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist". Beadles settled in America as early as 1608 before the "Mayflower" arrived. A later real-life character was George Wells BEADLE, an American, who shared the Nobel Prize for his work in Genetics. We have no evidence that Mrs W. is directly related to any of these literary or foreign characters.
BEADLE is an interesting name. A beadle was originally a minor parish official in the Church of England who acted as an usher and kept order as a constable. One interesting beadle in literature was Mr Bumble the poor-house supervisor in Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist". Beadles settled in America as early as 1608 before the "Mayflower" arrived. A later real-life character was George Wells BEADLE, an American, who shared the Nobel Prize for his work in Genetics. We have no evidence that Mrs W. is directly related to any of these literary or foreign characters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)