man·i·tou or man·i·tu (măn'ĭtōō') also man·i·to (-tō') n., pl. man·i·tous or man·i·tus also man·i·tos. 1. In Algonquian religious belief, a supernatural power that permeates the world, possessed in varying degrees by both spiritual and human beings. 2. A deity or spirit.
hum·mock (hŭm'зk) n. 1. A low mound or ridge of earth; a knoll. 2. Also ham·mock (hăm'зk). A tract of forested land that rises above an adjacent marsh in the southern United States. 3. A ridge or hill of ice in an ice field. --hum'mock·y adj.
Okay, I closed out the computer before composing myself and the blog to talk about Algonquian religious beliefs. So, who can blame me, I would not want to offend any Native Americans (or American Indians as many prefer since white man put that in the treaties) who might read this. Anyway, I thought maybe I'd pass and move on to the next word that might popup, perhaps even linking the two in some way.
And "lo, and behold" (a bit of redundancy), it might be easier than I thought. Since numerous tribes used terms based on the same roots for the word manitou/u/o, it seems that just about anything can have a spirit since all was created by the "Great Spirit." This includes plants and inanimate objects -- such as a forest rising from a swamp, or a hummock (aka, hammock).
So, the natives of these parts may have venerated the "hammock manitou" -- though they probably had a different name for the hammock. According to Wikipedia, the southern "hammock" is not to be confused with the "hummock" that is composed of soil on top of permafrost (def. #3). "Hammock," it seems came first, in the 1550's, to describe tree-covered islands rising out of the sea.
The article on the icy "hummock," however, does admit that an "earlier" use of the word was used to refer to the warmer woody areas:
"[T]his term also refers to lumpy terrain; or land that has an irregular shape; or a fertile, wooded area that is at a slightly higher elevation (less than 2 m or so) than nearby marshes or swamps. Hummocks are often made by decaying plants."
It is this quote that makes me think that the natives may have been on to something. If theses woodland areas were composed of decaying plants, then "swamp gas" (methane) would be present. Such a "spirit" would be very evident whenever anyone was around. These spirits were connected with rocks, dirt, plants and animals - maybe even spontaneous combustion for all I know! Who wouldn't respect such awesome forces!
Showing posts with label unusual words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unusual words. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
A short note
trice (trīs) n. 1. A very short period of time; an instant. --trice tr.v. triced, tric·ing, tric·es. Nautical. To hoist and secure with a rope.
Here's just a short note, it won't take but a trice. Funny, but I have never seen this word and it is only one syllable long. I wonder how it went from being "an instant" to a verb meaning to secure a rope?
I guess this could be used in a sequence -- trice, twice and thrice. Anything that cannot be done in a trice may have to be done over to get it right. I hope that sailors, when securing that rope, get it right the first time.
Well, if I write any more, I will not be giving the word justice.
Until next time, have a good evening.
Here's just a short note, it won't take but a trice. Funny, but I have never seen this word and it is only one syllable long. I wonder how it went from being "an instant" to a verb meaning to secure a rope?
I guess this could be used in a sequence -- trice, twice and thrice. Anything that cannot be done in a trice may have to be done over to get it right. I hope that sailors, when securing that rope, get it right the first time.
Well, if I write any more, I will not be giving the word justice.
Until next time, have a good evening.
Thoughts on "the Bard"
bard (bärd) n. 1. One of an ancient Celtic order of minstrel poets who composed and recited verses celebrating the legendary exploits of chieftains and heroes. 2. A poet, especially a lyric poet. --bard'ic adj.
My dictionary program sometimes assumes that the reader is post-modern! I am almost 60, so of course I know this word, but here it is listed as the "expert" word of the day.
Of course, it is not a word that we use daily since it is "an ancient Celtic order," so I guess it needs a few remarks. A bard is a poet, most notable of whom is "the bard" of English literature William Shakespeare. Or perhaps I speak only from my days of reading Shakespeare in college and high school before that. I know, that was a long time ago, but the word "bard" always brings that great writer to mind.
Though he is best known for his plays rather than his poetry, even the plays were written in iambic pentameter for the most part. A prolific writer, Shakespeare wrote on assignment, being supported by the "arts community of his day." Some claim that others wrote for him, and others that he even had a part in translating the King James Version of the Bible.
If you don't believe that one, check it out. Count the words in Psalm 46, stopping on the 46th word. That word should be "shake" (verse 3). Now count from the last word (not the "selah") and you will find the word "spear" (verse 9). Voila! "Proof" that Shakespeare translated Psalm 46 (reportedly "his" number).
One other thing, the spell checker just solved a 400 year old mystery: how to spell "Shakespeare." Even the Bard wasn't consistent!
My dictionary program sometimes assumes that the reader is post-modern! I am almost 60, so of course I know this word, but here it is listed as the "expert" word of the day.
Of course, it is not a word that we use daily since it is "an ancient Celtic order," so I guess it needs a few remarks. A bard is a poet, most notable of whom is "the bard" of English literature William Shakespeare. Or perhaps I speak only from my days of reading Shakespeare in college and high school before that. I know, that was a long time ago, but the word "bard" always brings that great writer to mind.
Though he is best known for his plays rather than his poetry, even the plays were written in iambic pentameter for the most part. A prolific writer, Shakespeare wrote on assignment, being supported by the "arts community of his day." Some claim that others wrote for him, and others that he even had a part in translating the King James Version of the Bible.
If you don't believe that one, check it out. Count the words in Psalm 46, stopping on the 46th word. That word should be "shake" (verse 3). Now count from the last word (not the "selah") and you will find the word "spear" (verse 9). Voila! "Proof" that Shakespeare translated Psalm 46 (reportedly "his" number).
One other thing, the spell checker just solved a 400 year old mystery: how to spell "Shakespeare." Even the Bard wasn't consistent!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
