Sunday, September 8, 2024
WORD ORIGINS
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Sue P sent me an email:
Hi OttoI was watching an old movie that referred to someone as a dunderhead which started me thinking about other odd words for stupidity I heard as a child like nincompoop and ninnyhammer and why we might no longer use them within a comparatively short timeframe Hope you are wellSue
Thanks Sue.
I confess that I had not heard of ninnyhammer before.
You are right, language is a living and ongoing process, words drop out and new words are constantly being added to reflect new items, developments and events.
Here are comments on the words you have raised, plus some more.
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Dunderhead:
Meaning:
Dunderhead is a more colorful way to say "dummy" or "stupid." It's derogatory, but not the meanest. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a ponderously stupid person”. The words below tend to have similar meanings.
Origin:
The origin is uncertain, first usage in print 1630.
The most likely source is the Scots verb “dunner,” meaning “to resound with a loud and reverberating noise,” especially “to fall with a loud sound.” This “dunner,” in turn, has been traced to the Old Norse “duna,” meaning “to thunder,” which in turn goes back to the Germanic root “dun,” for a loud noise.
The Scots verb “donner” means “to stun with a blow or loud noise” (OED), and the related adjective “donnered” means “stunned or stupefied,” as if by a blow. Hence a dunderhead could mean one who behaves as if stunned by a blow.
Another theory holds that the word comes from Dutch “donderbol” meaning 'cannonball,' thus comparing the head of a dunce to that thick, iron ball and signifying his/her lack of intelligence or commonsense.
Still another theory is that dunderhead arose from Dutch dunderkop 'numbskull, (lit. thunderhead.)' (In Dutch the word donder means thunder. Think of Santa’s reindeer Donner and Blitzen, lightning and thunder in German). The possible explanation behind this theory is that thunder is loud and abrasive, lacking in refinery as is a dunce.
You pays your money, you takes your pick,
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Nincompoop:
One early theory about the origin of the word asserted that it was derived from the Latin phrase "non compos mentis" ("not of sane mind"). Samuel Johnson, the great British lexicographer, introduced this etymology in his dictionary of 1755. For two reasons, though, this derivation is no longer accepted:
- "non compos" has no equivalent to the second "p" in "nincompoop."
- the earliest recorded uses of the word date from the 1600s and apparently unfamiliar to Johnson are spelled "nicompoop" or "nickumpoop." Their lack of a second "n" makes the derivation from "non compos mentis" highly unlikely.
The word nincompoop perhaps came from Nicodemus, the name of a Jewish Pharisee in the New Testament who became something of a byword for slow-wittedness. Nicodemus secretly visited Jesus one night to hear about his teachings. Jesus explained, ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God’, which puzzled the Pharisee, who took Jesus literally and said ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’
Again, you pays your money . . .
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Ninnyhammer:
This term for a person who is a fool or a simpleton has for the most part vanished except in works that consciously seek to evoke a bygone age through antique language. For example Volume Three of J R R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: “You’re nowt but a ninnyhammer, Sam Gamgee: that’s what the Gaffer said to me often enough, it being a word of his.”
Ninnyhammer is first recorded from the late sixteenth century. Its origin isn’t altogether clear.
The first part, ninny, looks like the word we still know today, which is thought to come from a shortened and modified version of an innocent, because innocent at this time could mean a person lacking in intelligence or sense, who was silly, half-witted, or imbecilic. However, it’s far from certain from the dates when they were first used whether ninny comes from ninnyhammer or the other way around.
The second part is less obvious, but might be from hammer-headed, which could also then refer to a person who was dull-witted or stupid.
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Dunce:
The word dunce comes from a thirteenth century Scottish philosopher, John Duns Scotus, whose resistance to new ideas and mystical beliefs inspired opponents to equate his followers, the "Duns disciples," to "dullards." Later, some teachers made children wear pointed paper "dunce caps" when they misbehaved.
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Numbskull:
Originally, a numskull (using the original spelling num) was a person who was not able to count, or was clumsy and unskilled. The term later came to mean a stupid or ignorant person.
The word dates from the Middle Ages.
In some parts of Scotland, the term 'numskull' is still used to describe a clumsy or unskilled person.
In literature, the term 'numskull' has been used to describe characters who are ignorant or unintelligent. For example, in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', the character Malvolio is referred to as a 'numskull' by others.
1697: "You take me for a numpscull”
The Innocent Mistress, a play produced in London.
Swift in 1724: ”I remember not to have known a greater numbskull than thou art.”
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Saturday, September 7, 2024
SYDNEY TO CANBERRA
TO
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This begins a new occasional series of a look at places and sites on the road from Sydney to Canberra, separate to the Remembrance Highway VC rest stops. Kate and I visit Canberra regularly to spend time with her da, who is aged 97. The series originated at my wondering how the place name of Pheasants Nest originated, perhaps a pheasant’s nest was located there many years ago and the description “you know, where that pheasant’s nest was” became its place name. More of that later in this series.
Let’s start with the road itself, then Sydney and then get on the Motorway, skipping the in between Sydney suburbs (which are the subject of another series).
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What’s to come:
Hume Highway
Sydney
Mt Annan
Campbelltown
Hill Top
Pheasants Nest
Yerrinbool
Colo Vale
Mittagong
Bowral
Berima
Burradoo
Moss Vale
Sutton Forest
Canyonleigh
Exeter
Paddys River
Wombeyan Caves
Marulan
Goulburn
Run-O-Waters
Wollogorang
Collector
Lake George
Bywong
Sutton
Queanbeyan
Watson
Braddon
Canberra
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The Hume Highway
The Hume Highway, including the sections now known as the Hume Freeway and the Hume Motorway, is one of Australia's major inter-city national highways, running for 840 kilometres (520 mi) between Melbourne in the southwest and Sydney in the northeast.
From north to south, the road is called the Hume Highway in metropolitan Sydney, the Hume Motorway between the Cutler Interchange and Berrima, the Hume Highway elsewhere in New South Wales and the Hume Freeway in Victoria.
At its Sydney end, Hume Highway begins at Parramatta Road, in Ashfield.
The first 31 kilometres (19 mi) of the highway was known as Liverpool Road until August 1928, when it was renamed as part of Hume Highway, as part of the creation of the NSW highway system.
The beginning of the highway at Ashfield
“Explorers’ Corner” at Ashfield, where the Great Western Road meets the Great Southern Road (the intersection of Parramatta and Liverpool Roads, as commonly known today).
Sections of the highway through Sydney's suburbs continue to be also known by its former names of Liverpool Road, Sydney Road and Copeland Street (the latter two bypassing Liverpool's CBD).
Governor Lachlan Macquarie (1762-1864; Governor of NSW 1810-1821) ordered the construction of a road, which became known as the Great South Road (the basis of the northern end of Hume Highway) in 1819 from Picton to the Goulburn Plains.
Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Macquarie travelled to Goulburn in 1820, but it is unlikely that even a primitive road was finished at that time.
The Great South Road was rebuilt and completely re-routed between Yanderra and Goulburn by Surveyor-General Thomas Mitchell (1792-1855) in 1833. Mitchell's route in New South Wales, except for the current-day bypasses at Mittagong, Berrima and Marulan (dual carriageways were completed in 1986), is still largely followed by today's highway. Mitchell intended to straighten the route north of Yanderra, but was not granted funding, although his proposed route through Pheasants Nest has similarities to the freeway route opened in 1980.
Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, c 1835
The Great South Road through New South Wales, and North-Eastern Highway through Victoria, were renamed Hume Highway in 1928, after Hamilton Hume (1797-1873), the first European (with William Hovell) to traverse an overland route between Sydney and the Port Phillip District, in what later became the Colony of Victoria. The highway was fully sealed by 1940.
Studio portrait of Hamilton Hume, explorer, c 1869
In 1824, along with William Hovell (1786-1875), Hume participated in an expedition that first took an overland route from Sydney to Port Phillip (near the site of present-day Melbourne). Along with Sturt in 1828, he was part of an expedition of the first Europeans to find the Darling River.
William Hovell
In 1928 the NSW Main Roads Board adopted the principle of giving each important State Highway the same name throughout its length. After consultation with the Country Roads Board of Victoria (which had previously used the name North Eastern Highway for the route), it renamed the inland road from Sydney to Melbourne as the Hume Highway. Much of the present highway route is along the path followed by Hume.
In Sydney, Hume Highway stretches 31 kilometres (19 mi) southwest from Ashfield in the inner west to Prestons via Enfield, Greenacre, Villawood, Liverpool and Casula. This series will not review those suburbs.
From Sydney's southwestern outskirts; Hume Motorway stretches 88 kilometres (55 mi) south by southwest, from Prestons to outside Berrima bypassing Campbelltown, Camden, Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale.From outside Berrima, Hume Highway stretches 426 kilometres (265 mi) southwest by west, bypassing Sutton Forest, Marulan, Goulburn, Yass, Bowning, Bookham, Jugiong, Gundagai, Holbrook, Thurgoona, Lavington and Albury before crossing the Murray River and entering Victoria. The series will look at some of those places although the Hume Highway bypasses them.
In New South Wales all towns on the highway have been bypassed. From Sydney, southwards to the Victorian border, the bypassed towns include Campbelltown, Camden, Picton, Mittagong, Berrima, Marulan, Goulburn, Gunning, Yass, Bowning, Bookham, Jugiong, Coolac, Gundagai, Tarcutta, Holbrook, Woomargama and Albury.
Gallery:
Abandoned section of the Old Hume Highway north of Marulan
Old Hume Highway east of Yass, 1949
Old Hume Highway south of Gundagai, 1951
Remembrance Driveway sign, south of Mittagong
Travellers on the Great Southern Road cross the Bargo River in 1880s.
A coach stop somewhere along the Great Southern Road, Southern Highlands
The Great Southern Road at Braemar, c1890s, near the Mittagong bypass exit of 100 years later.
Great Southern Road, Mittagong
During excavations beyond Berrima in 1829 for the Great Southern Road, coal seams were found.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
FUNNY FRIDAY
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Enjoy.
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SOME HUMOUR:
__________
A psychic walks into a clothing store looking for a new shirt.
Employee: "How about this shirt?"
Psychic: "That shirt is too small."
Employee: "You didn't even try it on"
Psychic: "Because I am a medium"
__________
I just read in the news that tons of Americans are sending their old clothes to poor people in Africa.
Seems like a waste of time in my opinion. I've never seen an African with a 52 inch waist.
__________
A Spanish speaking man walks into a clothing store looking to buy some socks
He found his way to the menswear department where a sales clerk offered to help him.
"Quiero calcetines," said the man.
("I want socks")
"I don't speak Spanish, but we have some very nice suits over here," said the sales clerk.
"No, no quiero trajes. Quiero calcetines," said the man.
("No, I don't want suits. I want socks")
"Well, these shirts are on sale this week," declared the sales clerk.
"No, no quiero camisas. Quiero calcetines," repeated the man.
("No, I don't want shirts. I want socks")
"Our undershirts are over here," fumbled the sales clerk, beginning to lose patience.
"No, no quiero camisetas. Quiero calcetines," the man repeated.
("No, I don't want undershirts. I want socks")
As they passed a counter, the man spotted a display of socks and quickly grabbed a pair. Holding them up he proclaimed, "Eso sà que es!"
("That's it" or "that's the one")
(Pronouced Ee Ess Oh Kay)
The sales clerk yelled back, 'why didn't you just spell it in the first place?!"
__________
After my retirement at the company I worked at for 50 years, I looked forward to some relaxation time and putting my feet up, but my wife had other ideas...
... she insisted I take her to the local shopping centre every day.
Like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and out.
She's like most women - loves to browse & leaves me with endless time to fulfill.
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter, from the local Shopping centre:
Dear Mrs. Harris:
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion, in our store.
We cannot tolerate this behaviour and have been forced to, ban both of you from the store.
Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Harris, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:
June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in House wares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time; and costing the company money. We don't have a Code 3.
August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
August 14: Moved a, 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.
September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while, loudly humming the, 'Mission Impossible' theme.
October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his, 'Madonna Look' using different sizes of funnels.
October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
October 22: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a foetal position and screamed; 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
Took a box of condoms to the checkout clerk and asked where is the fitting room?
And last, but not least:
October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile; then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.
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#1:
A rich American tourist was holidaying in Rome, and was intent on seeing the Pope. There he stood, in a big long line with a rather expensive suit on, hoping the Pope would notice how smart he was and perhaps talk a few words with him.
As the Pope made his way slowly down the line, he walked right past the American, hardly even noticing him. The Pope then stopped next to a shabbily dressed homeless man, leaned over and whispered something in the man's ear, and made his way on again.
This really angered the American. After speaking with the drunkard, the American agreed to pay $1000 dollars to exchange clothing, in the hope that the Pope would speak to him the next day.
The next morning the shabbily dressed American stood in the line, waiting to see the Pope and hopefully exchange a few words. The Pope was making his way slowly up to the American. When he finally reached him, he leaned over to the American and spoke softly into his ear... "I thought I told you yesterday to get the fuck out of here."
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#2:
The manager of a ladies' dress shop realised that it was time to give one of her sales staff a pep talk. "Paula," she said, "your figures are the lowest in the department by a long way. In fact, unless you can improve your sales record soon, I'm afraid I'll have to let you go."
"I'm sorry, ma'am," said a humbled Paula. "Can you offer me any advice on how to do better?"
"Well," said the manager, "there is an old trick I can tell you about. It sounds silly, but it's worked for me in the past. Get hold of a dictionary and go through it until you find a word that has particular power for you. Memorize it, work it into your sales pitch whenever it seems appropriate, and you'll be amazed at the results."
Sure enough, Paula's sales figures shot up, and at the end of the month the manager called her in again, this time to congratulate her.
"Did you try my little trick?" she asked.
Paula nodded. "It took me a whole weekend to find the right word, but I did in the end."
"And what is it?"
"Fantastic."
"Yes, that's an excellent word," said the manager encouragingly. "And how have you been using it?"
"Well, my first customer on Monday was a woman who told me her little girl had just been accepted at the most exclusive prep school in the city. I said, "Fantastic." She went on to tell me how her daughter always got straight A's and was the most popular girl in class. I said, "Fantastic", and she bought $500 worth of clothing."
"My next customer said she needed a formal dress for the spring ball at the country club, which she was organizing. I said, "Fantastic." She went on to tell me she had the best figure of anyone on the committee and that her husband makes the most money. "Fantastic", I said, and she not only bought a $2,000 designer gown, but hundreds of dollars of accessories. It's been like that all week: the customers keep boasting, I keep saying, "Fantastic", and they keep buying!"
"Excellent work, Paula," said the manager. "You're a credit to the department. Just as a matter of interest, what did you used to say to customers before you discovered your power word?"
Paula shrugged. "It was usually, 'Who cares?'"
__________
$3:
Joe was a successful lawyer, but as he got older he was increasingly hampered by incredible headaches. When his career and love life started to suffer, he sought medical help.
After being referred from one specialist to another, he finally came across an old country doctor who solved the problem. "The good news is I can cure your headaches... the bad news is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition which causes your testicles to press up against the base of your spine and the pressure creates one hell of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles."
Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He couldn't concentrate long enough to answer, but decided he had no choice but to go under the knife. When he left the hospital he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself.
As he walked down the street, he realised that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He saw a men's clothing store and thought "That's what I need .. a new suit." He entered the shop and told the salesman "I'd like a new suit." The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see... size 42 long." Joe laughed, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in business 60 years!" Joe tried on the suit. It fit perfectly.
As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked "How about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said "Sure..." The salesman eyed Joe and said "Let's see...34 sleeves and...16 and a half neck." Joe was suprised, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years" Joe tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly. As Joe adjusted the collar in the mirror, the salesman asked "How about some new shoes?" Joe was on a roll and said "Sure!" The salesman eyed Joe's feet and said "Let's see... 10-1/2...E." Joe said, astonished, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in business 60 years!" Joe tried on the shoes and they fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked "How about some new underwear?" Joe thought for a second and said, "Sure!"
The salesman stepped back, eyed Joe's waist and said "Let's see... size 36." Joe laughed, "Ah ha! I got you. I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old." The salesman shook his head. "You can't wear a size 34, it will press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one hell of a headache."
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LIMERICK OF THE WEEK:
There was an old man
From Peru, whose lim'ricks all
Look'd like haiku. He
Said with a laugh "I
Cut them in half, the pay is
Much better for two."
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GALLERY:
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CORN CORNER:
__________
I was wearing my pyjamas having a coffee on my front porch this morning.
My next door neighbor yelled over "Hey, can you change a tyre?"
I ran back in my house and came out wearing jeans and a T shirt.
__________
You know the clothing company Puma? They make Puma shirts, Puma socks...
I wonder why they don't make pants
__________
Julius Caesar: I’m here to see Cleopatra.
Guard: I’m sorry sir. She’s in bed with Laryngitis.
Caesar: Who’s that bastard?? I’ll kill him!
__________
What did the Jedi have for breakfast?
Only one cannoli
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Wednesday, September 4, 2024
QUOTE FOR THE DAY
Australia! Australia! so fair to behold-
While the blue sky is arching above;
The stranger should never have need to be told,
That the Wattle-bloom means that her heart is of gold.
And the Waratah's red with her love.
- Henry Lawson
Waratah and Wattle
The stranger should never have need to be told,
That the Wattle-bloom means that her heart is of gold.
And the Waratah's red with her love.
- Henry Lawson
Waratah and Wattle
POETRY SPOT
Bonnie New South Wales
- Henry Lawson
It surely cannot be too soon, and never is too late,
It tones with all Australia’s tune to praise one’s native State,
And so I bring an old refrain from days of posts and rails,
And lift the good old words again, for Sunny New South Wales.
She bore me on her tented fields, and wore my youth away,
And little gold of all she yields repays my toil to-day;
By track and camp and bushman’s hut—by streets where courage fails—
I’ve sung for all Australia, but my heart’s in New South Wales.
The waratah and wattle there in all their glory grow—
And if they bloom on hills elsewhere, I’m not supposed to know,
The tales that other States may tell—I never hear the tales!
For I, her son, have sinned as well as Bonnie New South Wales.
I only know her heart is good to sweetheart and to mate,
And pregnant with our nationhood from Sunset to the Gate;
I only know her sons sail home on every ship that sails,
Though round the world ten times they roam from dear old New South Wales.
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From:
The poem "Bonnie New South Wales" by Henry Lawson expresses a deep affection for the Australian state through straightforward and evocative language. Lawson's celebration of his homeland reflects the national pride and identity prevalent during the late 19th century. Compared to his other works, it exhibits a more optimistic and patriotic tone, celebrating the state's natural beauty, resilience, and role in shaping the nation. It captures the spirit of the time period by evoking the hardships and joys of early Australian life, while also hinting at the state's growing significance in a burgeoning nation.
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024
FATHER AND SON
A son took his old father to a restaurant for an evening dinner. Father being very old and weak, while eating, dropped food on his shirt and trousers. Other diners watched him in disgust while his son was calm.
After he finished eating, his son who was not at all embarrassed, quietly took him to the wash room, wiped the food particles, removed the stains, combed his hair and fitted his spectacles firmly.
When they came out, the entire restaurant was watching them in dead silence, not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that.
The son settled the bill and started walking out with his father.
At that time, an old man amongst the diners called out to the son and asked him,
“Don’t you think you have left something behind?”
The son replied, “No sir, I haven’t.”
The old man retorted, “Yes, you have! You left a lesson for every son and hope for every father.”
Monday, September 2, 2024
Sunday, September 1, 2024
ORIGINS
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ORIGINS OF SOME WORDS AND PHRASES:
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Eavesdrop:
Meaning:
To secretly listen to a conversation.
Origin:
The word comes from the Old English ‘efes’ meaning ‘edge of a roof’. Eavesdrop was first used to refer to the place around the house where the water from the eaves dripped. So, the original ‘eavesdropper’ was someone who stood under the eaves and listened to the conversation taking place inside the house.
__________
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning:
Said to someone who remains silent when they are expected to speak.
Origin:
There are two theories on how this saying came into being. The first one says that it could have come from a whip called “Cat-o’-nine-tails” that was used by the English Navy for flogging and often left the victims speechless. The second one may be from ancient Egypt, where liars’ tongues were cut out as punishment and fed to the cats.
__________
The Walls Have Ears:
Meaning:
Be careful what you say as people may be eavesdropping.
Origin:
The face Louvre Palace in France was believed to have a network of listening tubes so that it would be possible to hear everything that was said in different rooms. People say that this is how the Queen Catherine de’Medici discovered political secrets and plots.
__________
Bury the hatchet:
Meaning:
End a quarrel or conflict and become friendly.
Origin:
During negotiations between Puritans and Native Americans men would bury all of their weapons, making them inaccessible.
__________
Cold feet:
Meaning:
Loss of nerve or confidence.
Origin:
This idiom originates from a military term, warriors who had frozen feet were not able to rush into battle.
__________
Oops, no, that's Bigwig from Watership Down
Big Wig:
Meaning:
An important person, especially in a particular sphere
Origin:
Back in the 18th century, the most important political figures would wear the biggest wigs, hence today influential people are called big wigs.
__________
Raining cats and dogs:
Meaning:
Rain very hard.
Origin:
There are various possible explanations on the origin:
1. That it comes from Norse mythology where cats would symbolise heavy rains and dogs were associated with the God of storms, Odin.
2. That in 16th century England, houses had thatched roofs which were one of the few places where animals were able to get warm. Sometimes, when it would start to rain heavily, roofs would get slippery and cats and dogs would fall off, making it look like it’s raining cats and dogs. Unlikely.
3. That in Medieval times, street cats and dogs often got caught up in the runoff after a storm and drown in the ditches next to streets. If cats were seeking refuge from the cold, they would be inside the houses, not outside where they would get washed away.
__________
Blood is thicker than water:
Meaning:
Family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and most important ones.
Origin:
Even though many might think this saying means that we should put family ahead of friends, it actually meant the complete opposite. The full phrase actually was “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb,” and it referred to warriors who shared the blood they shed in battles together. These ‘blood brothers’ were said to have stronger bonds than
biological brothers.
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