been reading cicero’s rant about words being given obscene meanings and i don’t think i’ve ever seen a latin sentence that made me burst into such immediate and violent laughter before
had a couple people be like “i have no idea what this means” so to clarify: the word penis in latin originally meant tail and only later got the sense of, uh. penis. so this is cicero complaining that nowadays all these hooligans are using the word “penis” for naughty purposes
Thank you for this post, I will be showing it to every boomer who ever complains about how the kids these days are butchering the language.
My favorite relic English still used everywhere is the word “the” used in phrases like: “the more I look at this, the stranger it seems, or "the bigger they come, the harder they fall”. This “the” is not the article of any noun, it is a different word, a conjunction descended from the old English “þā”, pronounced “tha” which means either “when” or “then”. Back in early Middle English the structure “if - then” had not taken over and if you wanted to express an if - then relationship you said “þā whatever, þā whatever”, meaning “when such-and- such, then such-and-such”. “þā” sounds almost the same as “the” and the spelling of the two converged, but the meaning remained totally different. “the more, the merrier” literally means “when more, then merrier” or “if more, then merrier’; same as centuries ago.
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this is so cool
Tumblr is just so magnificent for these charming bits of exotic area-specific nerdery.
Love to be on a website where I can join such hit 2022 fandoms as “century old public domain novel being read very slowly” and “half-century old mafia film that does not actually exist.”
For context and more about the Object Portrait series, see my Artist’s Statement.
To request a print of “Ms. Lexie’s Object Portrait,” the seventh print in a twelve part limited edition series, be sent to you in a few weeks, fill in the form below:
Note that all artwork is mailed this year at no charge; feel free to share this link with like minded folk you feel would enjoy my work.
AN OBJECT PORTRAIT OF MS. LEXIE
· This pink lacy bodysuit from Prague is very special to me. It represents beginnings — my first time abroad, discovering my sexuality, my first TDG event, and learning to think of myself as a proper adult.
· Bobby pins are wonderful tools for hairstyling and lockpicking.
· Pink candles are for romance and friendship; and pink is my favorite color.
· I didn’t believe in makeup for myself until these lipsticks came into my life; I feel powerful in them.
· I put little things I’m cherishing in the brass and glass box from time to time. The key tucked inside unlocks a box full of very secret diary entries and letters I had when I was young.
· I keep Ms. Heart’s Pretty Face Dirty Mouth handkerchief folded up with vintage handkerchiefs I use for cleaning my violin. Her blog was such an aid as I figured out my sexuality, romance, and desire. It’s a bit naughty; it is a wonderful reminder of how others have helped me become who I am.
· A friend gifted me the bowtie hair accessory to wear to the American Girl Doll Store for my 23rd birthday.
· I don’t typically wear black lingerie and the navy and gold set helped me fit in a bit among a sea of black clad party goers. The heels are black and starry like the night sky, and surprisingly comfortable.
· The “Strength” Card was a gift from another TDG Social Club member. I pulled it in a moment when I needed reminding of my strength; she let me keep it and I pull it out when I need to remind myself.
· My mother gifted me with a set of pearls for Christmas in high school. I wore them often, lost them whilst moving in college, and replaced them with this pink set.
