Month: February 2022

linen

sash – From Arabic shash, first a roll of silk, linen, or gauze worn about the head, a turban. More…

lingerie – Entered English meaning “linen articles collectively,” from French linge, “linen.” More…

linsey-woolsey – First a cloth woven from linen and wool, the phrase was altered for the sake of a jingling sound. More…

taffeta – Goes back to Persian taftah, “silken cloth, linen clothing.” More…

Imelda Marcos Parts with Her Shoes (1986)

When Philippine political leader Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda were driven into exile following the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, they left behind evidence of a lavish lifestyle that pointed to possible corruption and embezzlement. The former first lady’s shoe collection, which numbered in the thousands, became a symbol of the Marcos’s excesses. Despite her alleged misdeeds, Imelda returned to home after Ferdinand’s death and ran for president with what result? Discuss

Merwan Sheriar Irani, Meher Baba (1894)

Born into a Zoroastrian family of Persian descent, Meher Baba underwent a spiritual awakening at 19 and in time concluded that he was the avatar—the incarnation of God in human form—of his age. He formulated a belief system that identified the goal of life as realizing the oneness of God, from whom the universe emanates. In an effort to bring others to that realization through love, he worked extensively with the poor and the physically and mentally ill. For how many years did he remain silent? Discuss

The Swastika

Though in the minds of many Westerners the swastika is inextricably linked with Nazis and genocide, it has long been a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. In India, it remains the most common auspicious symbol of Hindus and Jains, as well as Buddhists, for whom it symbolizes the Buddha’s feet. In China and Japan, where it traveled with the spread of Buddhism, it has been used to denote plurality, prosperity, and long life. Why did the Nazi Party adopt the ancient symbol as its emblem? Discuss

Nine Passengers Sucked Out of Plane When It Rips Open Mid-Flight (1989)

Sixteen minutes after taking off for New Zealand from Honolulu, Hawaii, United Airlines flight 811 experienced a cargo door failure and explosive decompression that resulted in the ejection of a number of seats, nine of them occupied, from the aircraft. The pilots initially thought a bomb had been detonated on board and would later learn that design flaws and faulty wiring were to blame for the catastrophe that took place on their flight. How might United have averted this disaster? Discuss