In golf, to fail to match or better the score necessary to remain in the final two rounds of a four-round tournament, thus resulting in elimination. Watch the video
Month: September 2021
Founder Effect
The founder effect is a form of genetic drift that occurs when a small group in a population splinters off and forms a new one. These founders can strongly affect the new colony’s genetic makeup far into the future, since their small gene pool may be unrepresentative of that of the population at large. Down the line, this can result in an increase in recessive traits, even maladaptive ones, like certain genetic diseases. What are some communities that have been impacted by the founder effect? Discuss
saturnine
sake
eristic – Means “enjoying argument for its own sake,” or “of or pertaining to controversy.” More…
fine art, commercial artwork – Fine art is any art created for its own sake, as opposed to commercial artwork. More…
heaven’s sake – It is heaven’s sake (not heavens’ sake, heaven’s sakes, etc.). More…
sensuous, sensual – Sensuous usually implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure; sensual usually describes gratification of the senses or physical appetites as an end in itself. More…
Attica Prison Riot: 33 Guards Taken Hostage (1971)
Though the US made strides in prison reform in the 20th century, not enough had apparently changed at Attica Correctional Facility by 1971 to appease those confined in the overcrowded New York prison. At the time, inmates got just one “shower” a week and one roll of toilet paper a month. It was against these, and other, conditions that prisoners were protesting when they rioted and took 33 guards hostage. Days later, authorities stormed the prison, killing 39, including how many of the hostages? Discuss
Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Father Laval
This annual pilgrimage is made by thousands of people of all faiths to the shrine of Roman Catholic priest Père Jacques Désiré Laval in Port Louis, Mauritius. Father Laval came to Mauritius in 1841 and devoted himself to the spiritual improvement of the emancipated slaves until his death in 1864. The pilgrimage is held on the day of his death. It originated on the day Laval was buried, when more than 30,000 weeping people followed his bier as he was taken for burial opposite the Ste. Croix Church. A monument to him is there today, and many masses are celebrated at the shrine on the memorial day. Discuss
make the best of a bad bargain
To deal with and create the best possible outcome of a bad, unfortunate, or unpleasant situation or set of circumstances. Watch the video
The Stout Scarab
In the 1930s, aircraft designer William Stout envisioned an automobile that could double as an office on wheels. The resulting Scarab, widely considered the world’s first production minivan, was groundbreaking in its design. Stout eliminated the typical chassis and drive-shaft and placed the engine in the vehicle’s rear. He also gave the Scarab a removable table and movable seating. Still, the vehicle never really caught on, largely due to its hefty price tag. How much did it cost to own one? Discuss
convivial
tobacco
blend – A combination of different types or grades of fabric, spirits, tea, tobacco, etc. More…
tabac – A color, from the French for tobacco. More…
cud, quid – The etymological base of cud appears to be “glutinous substance”; quid—”piece of tobacco for chewing”—is a variant of cud. More…
petunia – It is related to the tobacco plant, hence its name, from Portuguese petum, “tobacco.” More…