Seldom-used words - M to A

[oggbashan]

Thank you, Handley, for the additional information on Linear B.

Here is a dance I forgot all about;

Lindy - noun [prob. fr. Lindy, nickname of Charles A. Lindberg] (1931) a jitterbug dance originating in Harlem and later developing many local variants - called also Lindy Hop

Brought to the UK by GIs before D-Day. Many British girls learned how to do the Lindy Hop.

 

[AllardChardon]

Hello, posters and readers alike. I never really mention the members, who like to read a thread but not contribute, which is fine. I do realize you are out there and you are always welcome to browse without buying.

Here is a word that is completely new to me, once again;

Lincoln - noun [Lincolnshire, England] (1837) any of an English breed of long-wooled mutton-type sheep

 

[oggbashan]

...

Here is a word that is completely new to me, once again;

Lincoln - noun [Lincolnshire, England] (1837) any of an English breed of long-wooled mutton-type sheep

There is also Lincoln Green as worn by Robin Hood and his Merry Men...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_green

Sometimes Maid Marion wore it too.

http://www.mainlesson.com/books/marshall/robin/zpage078.gif

 

[Handley_Page]

It's a colour that's impossible to get these days.

 

[AllardChardon]

Og, what a wonderful article about Lincoln green. Fabrics and the way in which they were dyed is a fascinating subject to me. It mentions the town of origin and the plant dyes used to color the fabric, but not much about the specific sheep's wool that started this section. Thanks for adding such a great post.

Handley, I bet if you searched the medieval re-enactors' websites, you might find true Lincoln green woolen fabric. So many people are keeping the old ways alive through these associations.

Here is a word I saw today and somehow missed while in the Ms;

milquetoast - noun [Caspar Milquetoast, comic strip character created by H. T. Webster, American cartoonist] (1935) a timid, meek, or unassertive person

 

[oggbashan]

...

Here is a word that is completely new to me, once again;

Lincoln - noun [Lincolnshire, England] (1837) any of an English breed of long-wooled mutton-type sheep

Lincoln Sheep from Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_sheep

http://www.lincolnlongwools.co.uk/style/images/art/slide2.jpg

Breeders' association:

http://www.lincolnlongwools.co.uk/

Here is a word I saw today and somehow missed while in the Ms;

milquetoast - noun [Caspar Milquetoast, comic strip character created by H. T. Webster, American cartoonist] (1935) a timid, meek, or unassertive person

Although I know the word, it doesn't mean much in British English. The equivalent might be Mr Pooter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Pooter

 

[AllardChardon]

Og, I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures of the Lincoln sheep. They are truly beautiful. And the definition for pooterism describes Donald Trump to the T. Thanks for adding that, but a milquetoast is more like milksop or mollycoddle. Milksop and milquetoast must come from bread soaked in milk, a food for infants and invalids.

Here is an odd one;

linalool - noun (1891) a fragrant liquid alcohol that occurs both free and in the form of esters in many essential oils and is used in perfumes, soaps, and flavoring materials

 

[CarlusMagnus]

Og, I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures of the Lincoln sheep. They are truly beautiful. And the definition for pooterism describes Donald Trump to the T. ...

Oh dear! You've left the rump out! And that's another word that describes him very well. Especially if one precedes it by horse's!

 

[Mavramorn]

Og, I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures of the Lincoln sheep. They are truly beautiful. And the definition for pooterism describes Donald Trump to the T. Thanks for adding that, but a milquetoast is more like milksop or mollycoddle. Milksop and milquetoast must come from bread soaked in milk, a food for infants and invalids.

Here is an odd one;

linalool - noun (1891) a fragrant liquid alcohol that occurs both free and in the form of esters in many essential oils and is used in perfumes, soaps, and flavoring materials

Pooterish exactly describes poor, dear Donald; his utterly unfounded belief in his own relevance and importance is a classic case of Pooterism. I also quite like my husband's definition of Donald: an unjustifiably self-inflated, rabble-rousing blowhard with the personality of a three-day old pizza (full of life and movement, but you still wouldn't want to lick it...) and all the charisma of a vasectomy, who'd campaign for his own hanging if he thought it would get him elected.

 

[Handley_Page]

Pooterish exactly describes poor, dear Donald; his utterly unfounded belief in his own relevance and importance is a classic case of Pooterism. I also quite like my husband's definition of Donald: an unjustifiably self-inflated, rabble-rousing blowhard with the personality of a three-day old pizza (full of life and movement, but you still wouldn't want to lick it...) and all the charisma of a vasectomy, who'd campaign for his own hanging if he thought it would get him elected.

You'll appreciate that we in the UK may be a little reticent to make too many comments on Trump and his statements. Personally, I cannot see why he's apparently so ill-reported [nobody is THAT stupid, are they?].
But based on what [little] I've seen, I think he should fire a few of his advisers for being so scientifically ignorant.

 

[AllardChardon]

Quite right, Carlus.

Welcome, Mavramorn. You husband's description of Trump is correct. All the man wants to do is win, no matter what.

Handley, Trump is not stupid, by any means, but he is a carnival barker and no one expects them to tell the truth. Unfortunately, the worse he acts, the better his ratings. Anyone else would have been drummed out of the race, but not him. Go figure.

This word goes along with milquetoast;

limp-wristed - adj (ca. 1960) 1. EFFEMINATE 2. WEAK

 

[AllardChardon]

Good day, Lit fans.

For the foodies;

limpa - noun [Sw] (1948) rye bread made with molasses or brown sugar

 

[AllardChardon]

Hello, readers and posters.

Another political word for the election process;

limousine liberal - noun (1969) a wealthy political liberal

 

[Handley_Page]

Hello, readers and posters.

Another political word for the election process;

limousine liberal - noun (1969) a wealthy political liberal

I'm never quite sure where in the political arena a "liberal" stands.
In the UK, it tends to be slightly left of centre.
Those who are markedly left of centre (socialists) have included some Very Rich Persons. They are often referred to as "Champaign Socialists"

I believe that it is in similar vein .

 

[oggbashan]

Hello, readers and posters.

Another political word for the election process;

limousine liberal - noun (1969) a wealthy political liberal

I'm never quite sure where in the political arena a "liberal" stands.
In the UK, it tends to be slightly left of centre.
Those who are markedly left of centre (socialists) have included some Very Rich Persons. They are often referred to as "Champaign Socialists"

I believe that it is in similar vein .

"Liberal". "Socialist", "Conservative", "Republican", and "Democrat" are some of the terms that DO NOT TRANSLATE from US English to British English or vice versa. Our political systems are significantly different and our political terminology describes chalk and cheese.

Even "limousine" describes a different type of vehicle. A Cadillac is NOT a limousine in British English. A limousine in British English is a large, old-fashioned high roofed vehicle suitable for weddings and funerals in which a top hat could be worn, not an expensive automobile model. An older Rolls-Royce might be a limousine. A modern Rolls-Royce isn't.

"limousine liberal" is not a "champagne socialist" although the intention of each phrase can be similar - a rich supporter of the underdogs' party.

"Republican" in the UK is someone who wants to abolish the Monarchy and replace the Queen as Head of State with an elected President. The approval rating of the Monarchy varies but UK Republicans are a very small minority, partly because the potential Presidents would be former Westminster politicians who have, as a group, a perceived status as crooks even worse than lawyers or Estate Agents (realtors).

"liberal" in the UK, without the initial capital letter, is someone who is generous.

"Liberal" in the UK, with the initial capital letter, is a short version of the Liberal Democrat Party, but no US voter would recognise their policies as those of a US Liberal or US Democrat.

"conservative", without the initial capital letter, are those wishing to preserve the old, not necessarily a bad thing when we have so many old buildings and traditions.

"Conservative", with the initial capital letter, is the Conservative Party. But that party supports the National Health Service and the Welfare State. Many US voters would regard the UK Conservatives as dangerously socialist.

"Labour" is the Labour Party which is sometimes called "socialist" although in recent decades it has not been. Their current leader, Jeremy Corbyn, IS a socialist and left-wing. That is causing real problems for many of their Members of Parliament who are Centrist, and think of socialism as a failed philosophy that is unelectable.

Back to the start: "limousine liberal" doesn't translate from US to British English.

 

[AllardChardon]

Thank you, Handley, for your reply, which prompted Og to give us an explanation of English and American political terms that I have found to be perplexing. Og, I have a much better understanding of British terms, thanks to you. I suppose you could say a limousine liberal in the U.S. would be a very wealthy Hollywood actor, who endorses the political candidate of his choice. That happens quite a lot, here. As if actors are more knowledgeable about politics than the average Joe. Americans do tend to elevate their high-grossing Hollywood types and sports heroes to almost godly status. And, therefore, the reason behind B-movie star Ronald Reagan, action hero Arnold Swartzenegger, and now TV Host and billionaire Donald Trump. It is an embarrassment, honestly.

Here are an interesting pair;

limnetic - adj (1899) of, relating to, or inhabiting the open water of a body of freshwater <~ environment>

limnology - noun (ca. 1888) the scientific study of bodies of freshwater (as lakes)

 

[JackLuis]

Thank you, Handley, for your reply, which prompted Og to give us an explanation of English and American political terms that I have found to be perplexing. Og, I have a much better understanding of British terms, thanks to you. I suppose you could say a limousine liberal in the U.S. would be a very wealthy Hollywood actor, who endorses the political candidate of his choice. That happens quite a lot, here. As if actors are more knowledgeable about politics than the average Joe. Americans do tend to elevate their high-grossing Hollywood types and sports heroes to almost godly status. And, therefore, the reason behind B-movie star Ronald Reagan, action hero Arnold Swartzenegger, and now TV Host and billionaire Donald Trump. It is an embarrassment, honestly.

Here are an interesting pair;

limnetic - adj (1899) of, relating to, or inhabiting the open water of a body of freshwater <~ environment>

limnology - noun (ca. 1888) the scientific study of bodies of freshwater (as lakes)

I think you could properly term Trump a Limousine Lunatic.

 

[AllardChardon]

JackLuis, you are so right.

Even though this older word looks and sounds like my last two entries, they are not alike;

limn - vt (1592) 1. to draw or paint on a surface 2. to outline in clear sharp detail: DELINEATE 3. DESCRIBE <the novel ~s the frontier life of the settlers>

 

[NaokoSmith]

Merry Christmas, Allard. I've brought in a food-y word:

Lights - meaning the lungs of animals.

Hope nobody is reduced to eating those tomorrow/(today already for Australian friends).

Piglet and I have got a nice cheap chicken; I offered to get a goose or duck but she said she would like chicken. (She has gone to bed very early, as she is keen to still believe in Santa.)

 

[AllardChardon]

Merry Christmas, Naoko, and all my other friends here on LIT. I will not, now, nor never ever eat animal lungs. I am with Piglet on this, chicken is better than the other choices. Water fowl have more fat and are therefore greasier in my opinion and stronger in taste as well. We are having Chicken Marsala with homemade gnocchi and a spinach with beets salad.

A place to honor today, taken from Wiki;

The Church of the Nativity is a basilica located in Bethlehem, West Bank. The church was originally commissioned in 327 by Constantine and his mother Helena over the site that is still traditionally considered to be located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. The Church of the Nativity site's original basilica was completed in 339 and destroyed by fire during the Samaritan Revolts in the 6th century. A new basilica was built 565 by Justinian, the Byzantine Emperor, restoring the architectural tone of the original. The site of the Church of the Nativity has had numerous additions since this second construction, including its prominent bell towers. Due to its cultural and geographical history, the site holds a prominent religious significance to those of both the Christian and Muslim faiths.

The site of the Church of the Nativity is a World Heritage Site, and was the first to be listed under Palestine by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The site is also on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Your Christmas dinner sounds yummy, Allard. Our chicken was most tasty. I had thought about buying a cockerel - they were being offered as a Christmas special by my veg man. However, they were £30 each, whereas I bought a small chicken - there is still most of it left and Piglet, the cats and I have had two meals already out of it - for £10.

I'm reminded of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. I went to visit once; it's quite strange seeing this baroque church stuck in the middle of some gracefully designed pillars. I was very struck by the idea that the mosque was originally open to a courtyard on one side, and the pillars were continued in the courtyard by rows of trees - in order to express how man's work continues into God's natural work.

 

[oggbashan]

JackLuis, you are so right.

Even though this older word looks and sounds like my last two entries, they are not alike;

limn - vt (1592) 1. to draw or paint on a surface 2. to outline in clear sharp detail: DELINEATE 3. DESCRIBE <the novel ~s the frontier life of the settlers>

The standard portrait of Geoffrey Chaucer is "from a limning" - panting.

A limner was a commercial signwriter in 19th Century UK. Although poorly regarded and even poorer paid, some of their work was great.

In earlier times a limner might be an artist producing copies of other artists' works. For example, a noble family might have a portrait painted by a court artist such as Holbein. The extended family might like to have copies of that portrait but Holbein would be too busy (or too expensive) to produce copies. Cue the limner, who would produce multiple copies for a fraction of the price of the original.

 

[NaokoSmith]

Sorry if I missed it, did you already have the word 'lime' as in
liming birds.

Presumably, it means putting lime on branches which birds land on and stick to, to catch them?

 

[AllardChardon]

Naoko, I found a great recipe online for honey roasted chicken. If you want this simple recipe, just ask. I have made it twice and will do so again, soon. It makes the best chicken noodle soup ever for leftovers. That mosque sounds very interesting. I love old churches. You can feel the history in them. And, no, you did not miss liming branches for birds, that is still up ahead. hehe

Og, thanks for the additional information on limning. It does amaze me how little we value our artists, no matter what the time period. The support of a patron was essential, but artistic freedom could be diminished by it.

limmer - noun (15c) 1. chiefly Scot: SCOUNDREL 2. chiefly Scot: PROSTITUTE

 

[oggbashan]

...
A limner was a commercial signwriter in 19th Century UK. Although poorly regarded and even poorer paid, some of their work was great..

Og, thanks for the additional information on limning. It does amaze me how little we value our artists, no matter what the time period. The support of a patron was essential, but artistic freedom could be diminished by it.

limmer - noun (15c) 1. chiefly Scot: SCOUNDREL 2. chiefly Scot: PROSTITUTE

The two words limner and limmer remind me of an unfortunate UK publisher in the early 19th Century.

He had found a very skilled and artistic engraver who could sketch buildings and scenery in wonderful detail. The publisher had an idea that people would buy a set of books illustrated with British scenes by that engraver.

He commissioned the engraver to tour the UK, sketching and engraving the sketches. The engraver would be paid for each completed engraving.

So far so good. But the publisher made three fundamental mistakes. The first was in assuming that the public wanted views of "picturesque landscapes", not major buildings. The second was not appreciating that the engraver was an alcoholic. The third was ignoring the reality that the wealthy customers for such fine engravings were mainly in London and SE England.

He sent the engraver to the North of Scotland to start work.

The engraver produced some brilliant engravings of Highland and Island Scenery AND found the attractions of single malt whisky.

As he worked his way South to Glasgow and Edinburgh the engravings were still wonderful, as they were for the Northern Counties of England.

But before he could get to Central England - he died of chronic alcoholism.

The intended "Views of the British Isles" would never be finished.

The publisher tried producing a book of Northern Views. It didn't sell.

So in desperation he produced a very splendid large Bible with all the completed engravings in it. It was sold as "The Northern Bible". It sold well enough to cover the costs and make a small profit.

Fast forward nearly 200 years.

Surviving copies of "The Northern Bible" are mainly broken up, because each large engraving is worth at least £50 to £100 each before framing. A complete Northern Bible with all its plates sells for about £5,000.

But IF the publisher had started the engraver in London and the South East?

Each plate would sell now for £500 to £750, and the 19th Century publisher would have made a large profit even if the engraver had died before leaving the Home Counties...