Month: July 2021

streets

bed push – A fundraising event, sometimes run by hospitals, in which a wheeled bed is pushed through the streets to raise awareness of the campaign. More…

on the wagon – Before paved roads, horse-drawn water wagons sprayed the streets to settle the dust, and anyone who had sworn abstinence from alcohol was said to have “climbed aboard the water wagon,” later shortened to “on the wagon.” More…

juggernaut – Derived from Sanskrit Jagannamacrtha, “lord of the world,” a title of Krishna, worshipped at an annual festival by the dragging of his image through the streets in a heavy chariot. More…

one-way – Came into English in 1906 in reference to travel tickets, in 1914 in reference to streets, and in 1940 in reference to windows, mirrors, etc. More…

Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola

St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) founded the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic religious order whose members are known as Jesuits. The Feast of St. Ignatius is celebrated by Jesuits everywhere, but particularly in the Basque region of Spain where he was born. The largest Basque community in North America, located in Boise, Idaho, holds its annual St. Ignatius Loyola Picnic on the last weekend in July—an event often referred to as the Basque Festival. Discuss

Galen

Doctor to Roman gladiators and emperors, Galen was a Greek physician in the 2nd century CE whose authority on medicine was virtually undisputed until the 16th century. Credited with some 500 treatises, Galen added greatly to the knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Based on animal experiments, he described cranial nerves and heart valves and showed that arteries carry blood, not air. However, in extending his findings to human anatomy, he was often in error. What misconceptions did he have? Discuss

hood

apartheid – From Dutch apart, “separate,” and -heid, “-hood,” it is pronounced uh-PAHR-tayt or uh-PAHR-tight. More…

chaperone, chaperon – Chaperone comes from French chaperon, meaning “hood” or “cowl, head covering,” which was worn from the 16th century by ladies who served as guides and guardians; chaperon is the standard spelling and chaperone is a variant resulting from pronunciation. More…

cobra – From Portuguese cobra de capello, “snake with hood”—based on Latin colubra, “snake.” More…

hood – Etymologically, hood and hat are the same word, ultimately both meaning “head-covering.” More…

Vanuatu Independence Day

The most important national holiday in Vanuatu, Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country. It marks the end of colonial rule by the French and British. The largest Independence Day celebrations take place in the capital city of Port Vila. A number of sporting events are held, as well as canoe and yacht races in the harbor. A military parade takes place in Independence Park. Dancing takes place and aerobics groups from throughout Vanuatu perform, and a string band competition is held. Discuss

Bento

Traditional Japanese bento is a style of boxed meal prepared in a thin plastic or lacquered wood box that is divided into small compartments, each of which contains a separate dish. Bento has existed in Japan for centuries. Today, these compartmentalized meals are available in convenience stores and kiosks, but some still prepare them at home as a special lunch for children or as a meal to bring to work. In one elaborate form of bento called kyaraben, the food is made to look like what? Discuss