ombudsman, n. [om-buhdz-muhn, ŏm-bŭdz-mən]
-An ombudsman is an official who investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements, especially between parties of uneven authority, such as private citizens and government offices or officials. The word was adopted into English in 1959 directly from Swedish, where it literally meant 'an agent, a commissioner' but was used in the sense of 'a deputy who looked after the interests and legal affairs of a group such as a trade union or business.' The Swedish version was developed from Old Norse umbodhsmadhr 'a trusty manager, a commissary,' a doubly compound word formed from madhr 'man' and the compound word umbodh 'a commission,' itself formed from um- 'around, regarding' and bjodha 'to offer, to command.'
-An ombudsman is an official who investigates complaints and mediates fair settlements, especially between parties of uneven authority, such as private citizens and government offices or officials. The word was adopted into English in 1959 directly from Swedish, where it literally meant 'an agent, a commissioner' but was used in the sense of 'a deputy who looked after the interests and legal affairs of a group such as a trade union or business.' The Swedish version was developed from Old Norse umbodhsmadhr 'a trusty manager, a commissary,' a doubly compound word formed from madhr 'man' and the compound word umbodh 'a commission,' itself formed from um- 'around, regarding' and bjodha 'to offer, to command.'
- Mood:
content
dominoes, n. pl. [dom-uh-nohz, dŏm-ə-nōz]
-There's a lot of uncertainty in the etymology of dominoes, a game played with tiles (called dominoes), the faces of which are divided in half, with the halves either blank or decorated with a certain number of dots. In English, this word for the tiles first appears in 1801, borrowed from French domino (a singular noun first recorded in 1771). It's at this point that scholars seem to hit a dead end. To date, the only known possible trail leads to the black cloak and hood worn by priest as a symbol of their calling and also worn as a veil by women in mourning. In this use, domino ultimately comes from Latin domino, the dative form of dominus 'lord, master,' used in religious services as a name for God. The only link scholars can come up with between this hooded cloak and the game tiles are their coloring and design, as the tiles are separated in the middle with black dots on either side, similar to a black robe being tied at the waist.
-There's a lot of uncertainty in the etymology of dominoes, a game played with tiles (called dominoes), the faces of which are divided in half, with the halves either blank or decorated with a certain number of dots. In English, this word for the tiles first appears in 1801, borrowed from French domino (a singular noun first recorded in 1771). It's at this point that scholars seem to hit a dead end. To date, the only known possible trail leads to the black cloak and hood worn by priest as a symbol of their calling and also worn as a veil by women in mourning. In this use, domino ultimately comes from Latin domino, the dative form of dominus 'lord, master,' used in religious services as a name for God. The only link scholars can come up with between this hooded cloak and the game tiles are their coloring and design, as the tiles are separated in the middle with black dots on either side, similar to a black robe being tied at the waist.
- Mood: excited - rain!
starve, v. [stahrv, stärv]
-As far back in history as scholars can peer, the ultimate ancestor of today's English starve is the prehistoric Indo-European root ster- 'rigid, solid, stiff.' This branched off into Greek sterphnios 'stiff, rigid' and sterphos 'hide, skin,' Old Church Slavonic strublu 'strong, hard,' and Proto-Germanic sterbanan 'to be stiff' and star 'to be rigid.' While star went on to become the ancestor of English stare 'to look fixedly (at something),' out of sterbanan came Old Frisian sterva, Old Saxon sterban and Old High German sterban, Middle Dutch sterven, and Old English steorfan 'to die.' (Interestingly, this same root also led to Old Norse stjarfi 'tetanus,' a medical condition where the muscle fibers in many parts of the body are continually contracted.) The link between 'rigid, stiff' and 'dead' is easily understood. The Old English word was likely in use prior to 1000 CE and could refer to any type of death; we find to starve of hunger* in 1124. By 1225 at the latest, was replaced by Middle English sterven, which added on to the original 'to die' the meaning of 'to kill.' Sometime around the 14th century, the meaning changed to 'to die of cold' - again, an easily understood connection to the original notion of 'rigid, stiff.' It is not until 1530 that we see starve used in its modern sense of 'to kill with hunger.' Our common expression to starve to death (c. 1910) would have sounded absolutely absurd to early English speakers, who might think we are idiots for saying someone died to death.
-As far back in history as scholars can peer, the ultimate ancestor of today's English starve is the prehistoric Indo-European root ster- 'rigid, solid, stiff.' This branched off into Greek sterphnios 'stiff, rigid' and sterphos 'hide, skin,' Old Church Slavonic strublu 'strong, hard,' and Proto-Germanic sterbanan 'to be stiff' and star 'to be rigid.' While star went on to become the ancestor of English stare 'to look fixedly (at something),' out of sterbanan came Old Frisian sterva, Old Saxon sterban and Old High German sterban, Middle Dutch sterven, and Old English steorfan 'to die.' (Interestingly, this same root also led to Old Norse stjarfi 'tetanus,' a medical condition where the muscle fibers in many parts of the body are continually contracted.) The link between 'rigid, stiff' and 'dead' is easily understood. The Old English word was likely in use prior to 1000 CE and could refer to any type of death; we find to starve of hunger* in 1124. By 1225 at the latest, was replaced by Middle English sterven, which added on to the original 'to die' the meaning of 'to kill.' Sometime around the 14th century, the meaning changed to 'to die of cold' - again, an easily understood connection to the original notion of 'rigid, stiff.' It is not until 1530 that we see starve used in its modern sense of 'to kill with hunger.' Our common expression to starve to death (c. 1910) would have sounded absolutely absurd to early English speakers, who might think we are idiots for saying someone died to death.
- Mood:
annoyed
staid, adj. [steyd, stād]
-No, that isn't a typo, though such a line of reasoning does actually bring us closer to the origins of today's word. In 1541 CE, the first written instance of staid as an adjective was recorded as meaning 'fixed, permanent.' It was taken from the past participle (originally written as staid or stayed) of the verb stay 'to remain.' Though our use of staid as a past participle died out, this spelling has stuck in the adjective form. By 1557, the now primary meaning of 'sober, sedate' was first recorded, coming from the sense that a person with a settled character is likely to be calmer and less prone to wild changes or mood swings.
Side note:
To the member who requested bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I'm sorry but I can't find anything conclusive on this. It supposedly dates back to the nineteenth century, but there is much division as to which animal this phrase refers to.
-No, that isn't a typo, though such a line of reasoning does actually bring us closer to the origins of today's word. In 1541 CE, the first written instance of staid as an adjective was recorded as meaning 'fixed, permanent.' It was taken from the past participle (originally written as staid or stayed) of the verb stay 'to remain.' Though our use of staid as a past participle died out, this spelling has stuck in the adjective form. By 1557, the now primary meaning of 'sober, sedate' was first recorded, coming from the sense that a person with a settled character is likely to be calmer and less prone to wild changes or mood swings.
Side note:
To the member who requested bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I'm sorry but I can't find anything conclusive on this. It supposedly dates back to the nineteenth century, but there is much division as to which animal this phrase refers to.
- Mood:
sedentary
I am very new to knitting, and have thus far made scarves, ties, and hats. Lots of hats. But it's getting colder, and I really want to try mittens! Apparently this pattern is easy, but I don't know how to do the thumb. So if anyone could help, I would really appreciate it! The more thorough, the better.
:D
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib
:D
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib
weird, adj. [weerd, wîrd]
-The history of this common adjective starts with the prehistoric Indo-European base wer- 'turn, bend' and the subsequent PIE verb wert 'to turn, to wind.' These spread to Proto Germanic as wurdis, wurthis, which created words in many daughter languages: Old Saxon wurd 'fate,' Old High German wurt 'fate,' Old Norse urdhr 'fate, one of the Norns (supernatural female beings who control human fate in the Norse mythology),' and Old English weorðan 'to become' and wyrd 'fate, destiny (lit. "that which comes").' Such a significant change in meaning, from 'to turn' to 'fate, becoming,' would seem to require many steps. However, it seems that turning has long been equivalent to changing, at least in Germanic cultures (see English to turn into). Old English wyrd was in general use by approximately 725 CE, and the Middle English version werd, wierd by about 1400. The first known use of this later form comes from the weird sisters, or the three Fates. According to classic Greek mythology, these three goddesses control the span and content of human lives by spinning and cutting their life threads. Interestingly, there are many other European and even Indo-European goddesses or supernatural beings that are remarkably similar. The visual portrayal of these Fates gave them an other-worldly and often frightening or odd appearances. The association stuck, and by 1815 we find the first use of weird with the meaning 'odd in appearance.' From there it simply generalized to anything that was strange, not just appearances.
A reproduction of Friedrich Paul Thumann's The Fates. Notice the string in the hands of the Fate in the middle.
-The history of this common adjective starts with the prehistoric Indo-European base wer- 'turn, bend' and the subsequent PIE verb wert 'to turn, to wind.' These spread to Proto Germanic as wurdis, wurthis, which created words in many daughter languages: Old Saxon wurd 'fate,' Old High German wurt 'fate,' Old Norse urdhr 'fate, one of the Norns (supernatural female beings who control human fate in the Norse mythology),' and Old English weorðan 'to become' and wyrd 'fate, destiny (lit. "that which comes").' Such a significant change in meaning, from 'to turn' to 'fate, becoming,' would seem to require many steps. However, it seems that turning has long been equivalent to changing, at least in Germanic cultures (see English to turn into). Old English wyrd was in general use by approximately 725 CE, and the Middle English version werd, wierd by about 1400. The first known use of this later form comes from the weird sisters, or the three Fates. According to classic Greek mythology, these three goddesses control the span and content of human lives by spinning and cutting their life threads. Interestingly, there are many other European and even Indo-European goddesses or supernatural beings that are remarkably similar. The visual portrayal of these Fates gave them an other-worldly and often frightening or odd appearances. The association stuck, and by 1815 we find the first use of weird with the meaning 'odd in appearance.' From there it simply generalized to anything that was strange, not just appearances.
A reproduction of Friedrich Paul Thumann's The Fates. Notice the string in the hands of the Fate in the middle.- Mood: complacent
My sister is pregs so I want to make her a baby blanket. I found this article which says the best size for a swaddling blanket is 34"-36" square. I have two colors of Jo-Ann Sensations yarn that my wife isn't using anymore and I want to try the Royal Quilting stitch. I'm planning to knit up a square on US11 needles with this yarn. I know plenty of people with babies so I've spent some time around them, but I've never had a kid of my own and never had to take care of one so I have some questions about this plan.
1. Is one square yard about the right size for a baby blanket?
2. Is a blanket made with this yarn going to be too hot for a baby?
Actually I guess those are my only questions. Thanks!
1. Is one square yard about the right size for a baby blanket?
2. Is a blanket made with this yarn going to be too hot for a baby?
Actually I guess those are my only questions. Thanks!
accident, n. [ak-si-duhnt, ăksĭ-děnt]
-Our modern meaning of accident is 'an unexpected and undesirable occurrence that may result in injury, harm, or damage.' This came from the notion of an accident as 'something that happens by chance,' from the Middle English definition of 'something that happens, an event,' which was first recorded around 1375 CE. Our Middle English word was borrowed directly from Old French accident, which itself was derived from Latin accidentem, the present participle of the verb accidere 'to happen, to fall out.' A compound verb, accidere was formed from the Latin prefix ac- 'to' and the root cidere. This root was the combining form of the verb cadere 'to fall' (see English cadence and case). As for accidental, there is both an adjectival form and a noun form. As an adjective, accidental first appeared in the late 1380's and follows the general meaning of accident. In its noun form, accidental is a musical term defined as 'a mark placed before a note which indicates that the previously understood pitch of the note should be altered by one or two half steps, or semitones.' Though there is not much information about how this usage came to be, it seems that the link between accidental and the altering of pitch by half-step increments is the Latin ancestor cadere 'to fall.' Note that this notion of falling led to English cadence 'a rhythmic flow or sequence, a beat.' It appears that the sense of timing between what the sounds of what is falling is the musical ancestor of both accidental and cadence.
-Our modern meaning of accident is 'an unexpected and undesirable occurrence that may result in injury, harm, or damage.' This came from the notion of an accident as 'something that happens by chance,' from the Middle English definition of 'something that happens, an event,' which was first recorded around 1375 CE. Our Middle English word was borrowed directly from Old French accident, which itself was derived from Latin accidentem, the present participle of the verb accidere 'to happen, to fall out.' A compound verb, accidere was formed from the Latin prefix ac- 'to' and the root cidere. This root was the combining form of the verb cadere 'to fall' (see English cadence and case). As for accidental, there is both an adjectival form and a noun form. As an adjective, accidental first appeared in the late 1380's and follows the general meaning of accident. In its noun form, accidental is a musical term defined as 'a mark placed before a note which indicates that the previously understood pitch of the note should be altered by one or two half steps, or semitones.' Though there is not much information about how this usage came to be, it seems that the link between accidental and the altering of pitch by half-step increments is the Latin ancestor cadere 'to fall.' Note that this notion of falling led to English cadence 'a rhythmic flow or sequence, a beat.' It appears that the sense of timing between what the sounds of what is falling is the musical ancestor of both accidental and cadence.
- Mood:
thoughtful
I'm turning the heel on my first sock, here are the directions...
Slip 1 knit 19, skp, k1, turn
Slip 1, purl 9, p2tog, p1, turn
Slip 1, knit 9, purl to next-to-last stitch before gap, p2tog across gap, p1, turn
Repeat until all stitches have been worked ending on a purl row.
knit across to end of needle
2 Questions....
in this line
"Slip 1, knit 9, purl to next-to-last stitch before gap, p2tog across gap, p1, turn"
If I'm at the next tothe last stitch then how can I p2tog across the gap? Isn't that 3 stitches?
And do I repeat the whole thing from the knit 19 row, or from the purl 9 row? (The p9 row makes more sense looking at the sock.
TIA
Slip 1 knit 19, skp, k1, turn
Slip 1, purl 9, p2tog, p1, turn
Slip 1, knit 9, purl to next-to-last stitch before gap, p2tog across gap, p1, turn
Repeat until all stitches have been worked ending on a purl row.
knit across to end of needle
2 Questions....
in this line
"Slip 1, knit 9, purl to next-to-last stitch before gap, p2tog across gap, p1, turn"
If I'm at the next tothe last stitch then how can I p2tog across the gap? Isn't that 3 stitches?
And do I repeat the whole thing from the knit 19 row, or from the purl 9 row? (The p9 row makes more sense looking at the sock.
TIA
Hi there,
I've just started knitting socks and I want to make a pair for my brother in law. Plain gray socks with black heels and toes. When would I change to the new heel colour? I presume I'd start the new colour for the toes when I start the shaping part.
Thanks in advance
Fi
P.S. I'm using this pattern for those on Ravelry and have signed onto the Patons site
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib
I've just started knitting socks and I want to make a pair for my brother in law. Plain gray socks with black heels and toes. When would I change to the new heel colour? I presume I'd start the new colour for the toes when I start the shaping part.
Thanks in advance
Fi
P.S. I'm using this pattern for those on Ravelry and have signed onto the Patons site
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib
I'm working on this pattern for Simple Socks for Ladies on Two Circular Needles.
I've turned the heel, picked up 16 gusset stitches with needle 1, but I am confused about the part that says:
"with end of same needle, transfer 10 heel sts to other end of Needle 2"
I'm not even sure where to start to ask about what I'm supposed to do. What stitches am I transferring exactly? The stitches I just picked up are gusset stitches not heel stitches so that doesn't seem right, but the stitches that are on the other end of needle 1 that are heel stitches wouldn't seem right either because I still need to knit across the instep and pick up gusset stitches on the other side.
I've tried just moving 10 stitches (the gusset stitches that I just picked up) to needle 2, but my stitch count is off when I do that and it just doesn't seem right.
Help! Hope I'm making sense.
I've turned the heel, picked up 16 gusset stitches with needle 1, but I am confused about the part that says:
"with end of same needle, transfer 10 heel sts to other end of Needle 2"
I'm not even sure where to start to ask about what I'm supposed to do. What stitches am I transferring exactly? The stitches I just picked up are gusset stitches not heel stitches so that doesn't seem right, but the stitches that are on the other end of needle 1 that are heel stitches wouldn't seem right either because I still need to knit across the instep and pick up gusset stitches on the other side.
I've tried just moving 10 stitches (the gusset stitches that I just picked up) to needle 2, but my stitch count is off when I do that and it just doesn't seem right.
Help! Hope I'm making sense.
Happy Black Friday to all the Americans out there!
I spent my day at Hobby Lobby and my local yarn store, where I got six skeins of alpaca/cotton bulky blend (normally $9.99 each), two skeins of a worsted Sara yarn, and a pack of cable needles for 25 dollars! I'm so glad I ventured out of my house on this crazy day.
Anyway, for Christmas I've decided to knit a bunch of hats, as I've become addicted to making hats.
I'll be using this Banana Republic Hat Knockoff pattern.
I had originally planned to make my sister a scarf in various shades of purple, but I ended up frogging that project. I would, however, like to use the yarn for that project to make her Christmas hat.
The only problem is that it's worsted weight, and I don't see a gauge listed for the pattern.
If I'm trying to turn worsted weight yarn into super bulky yarn, should I hold four strands together?
And, since I know lots of people are looking for fun, simple gifts to knit, I would like to share the Through the Loops One-Day Beret Recipe. You can knit it with any yarn & any needles. I'm making a couple of these for friends.
Thank you!
I spent my day at Hobby Lobby and my local yarn store, where I got six skeins of alpaca/cotton bulky blend (normally $9.99 each), two skeins of a worsted Sara yarn, and a pack of cable needles for 25 dollars! I'm so glad I ventured out of my house on this crazy day.
Anyway, for Christmas I've decided to knit a bunch of hats, as I've become addicted to making hats.
I'll be using this Banana Republic Hat Knockoff pattern.
I had originally planned to make my sister a scarf in various shades of purple, but I ended up frogging that project. I would, however, like to use the yarn for that project to make her Christmas hat.
The only problem is that it's worsted weight, and I don't see a gauge listed for the pattern.
If I'm trying to turn worsted weight yarn into super bulky yarn, should I hold four strands together?
And, since I know lots of people are looking for fun, simple gifts to knit, I would like to share the Through the Loops One-Day Beret Recipe. You can knit it with any yarn & any needles. I'm making a couple of these for friends.
Thank you!
- Mood: excited
What easy-but-awesome things are yall thinking of knitting your friends/family for the holidays? I need ideas! ^^;;
Thanks! ♥
Thanks! ♥
As you may know, I am making the Fancy Pants from Caffeinated Knitter. I must admit to not reading the pattern through intelligently and with due diligence. (whistles)
I got up to the gusset part last night and the whole section just didn't work right, even if it looked sound.
this whole section seems to be missing some vital information
"Part A...Next round: K3 then slip those stitches onto a dpn, K30 (35, 40, 45, 50) then slip those stitches onto waste yarn, K 6 then slip those onto a different dpn, K 30 (35, 40, 45, 50) then slip those stitches onto waste yarn, K 3 then slip those stitches onto the other end of the first dpn
Part BGraft the 2 sets of stitches on dpn together.
Part CLegs: Transfer the stitches from the waste yarn evenly onto 3 or 4 (whatever you prefer) dpn.
Part DPick up and knit 2 stitches (one from either side of the graft) and knit around, PM..."
The parts in bold are my additions to help sort this out.
Part A - I followed, (12 stitches for gusset and tweaked to be 48 on each leg rather than the 45) but then I ended up with the working yarn between the two sets of three stitches on the DPN. What did I do with the yarn? Where was the working yarn supposed to be? I cut it and threaded it through to the end so I could graft. The rest of the stitches were on waste yarn and I didn't like my chances for moving them all around to have the working yarn where *I* thought it needed to be.
Part B - grafting. Ok...usually its with the end of your yarn (yes?)...which was left between stitches, three stitches away.
Part C - was ok, except it didn't say where your working yarn was. Easily fudgable.
Part D - assumes you have some working yarn TO pick up and knit any stitches, which I didn't, so I had to attach it. And why is that PM there? I can't see any place further down that might use it.
I have left a comment asking about the gusset part, but as the last comment was May 08, I'm not expecting an answer any time soon.
I got up to the gusset part last night and the whole section just didn't work right, even if it looked sound.
this whole section seems to be missing some vital information
"Part A...Next round: K3 then slip those stitches onto a dpn, K30 (35, 40, 45, 50) then slip those stitches onto waste yarn, K 6 then slip those onto a different dpn, K 30 (35, 40, 45, 50) then slip those stitches onto waste yarn, K 3 then slip those stitches onto the other end of the first dpn
Part BGraft the 2 sets of stitches on dpn together.
Part CLegs: Transfer the stitches from the waste yarn evenly onto 3 or 4 (whatever you prefer) dpn.
Part DPick up and knit 2 stitches (one from either side of the graft) and knit around, PM..."
The parts in bold are my additions to help sort this out.
Part A - I followed, (12 stitches for gusset and tweaked to be 48 on each leg rather than the 45) but then I ended up with the working yarn between the two sets of three stitches on the DPN. What did I do with the yarn? Where was the working yarn supposed to be? I cut it and threaded it through to the end so I could graft. The rest of the stitches were on waste yarn and I didn't like my chances for moving them all around to have the working yarn where *I* thought it needed to be.
Part B - grafting. Ok...usually its with the end of your yarn (yes?)...which was left between stitches, three stitches away.
Part C - was ok, except it didn't say where your working yarn was. Easily fudgable.
Part D - assumes you have some working yarn TO pick up and knit any stitches, which I didn't, so I had to attach it. And why is that PM there? I can't see any place further down that might use it.
I have left a comment asking about the gusset part, but as the last comment was May 08, I'm not expecting an answer any time soon.
pun, n. [puhn, pŭn]
-Ah, puns. They get such a bad rap among people because of their obvious humor, but who doesn't really love a well-timed pun? First recorded in 1662, no one knows the actual origin of this humorous term. The dominant theory holds that is was shortened slang from the now obsolete pundigrion 'a play on words.' There may have been an intermediate step between these two in the form of punnet, but scholars are once again unsure. As for pundigrion, this is believed to have been an adaptation of Italian puntiglio 'equivocation, trivial objection, small or fine point,' the diminutive of Latin punctum 'point.'
Side note:
It's Thanksgiving time (tomorrow) for those of us in the States who celebrate this holiday. Have a great holiday weekend, everyone! If you work in retail, my thoughts and good wishes are with you for Black Friday. ;)
-Ah, puns. They get such a bad rap among people because of their obvious humor, but who doesn't really love a well-timed pun? First recorded in 1662, no one knows the actual origin of this humorous term. The dominant theory holds that is was shortened slang from the now obsolete pundigrion 'a play on words.' There may have been an intermediate step between these two in the form of punnet, but scholars are once again unsure. As for pundigrion, this is believed to have been an adaptation of Italian puntiglio 'equivocation, trivial objection, small or fine point,' the diminutive of Latin punctum 'point.'
Side note:
It's Thanksgiving time (tomorrow) for those of us in the States who celebrate this holiday. Have a great holiday weekend, everyone! If you work in retail, my thoughts and good wishes are with you for Black Friday. ;)
- Mood:
groggy
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word_ancestry :: gwoman : ombudsman [+2] - word_ancestry :: gwoman : dominoes [+2]
- novice_knitters :: ifyoullbemystar : (no subject) [+13]
- word_ancestry :: gwoman : starve [+6]
- word_ancestry :: gwoman : staid [+0]
- novice_knitters :: ifyoullbemystar : Mittens help! [+3]
- word_ancestry :: gwoman : weird [+4]
- novice_knitters :: mwass : questions about a baby blanket [+12]
- word_ancestry :: gwoman : accident [+2]
- novice_knitters :: trillium_flower : err in pattern? [+12]
- novice_knitters :: zen_girl : changing colour on heel and toes [+5]
- novice_knitters :: wanderingwoman : Sock question [+9]
- novice_knitters :: kate1809 : Yarn Weight and Christmas Gifts [+3]
- novice_knitters :: potthead : Holiday gifts [+8]
- novice_knitters :: perigrine : more pattern confusion [+1]
- word_ancestry :: gwoman : pun [+3]