Home Again, Have More Forgotten English

[the_gneech]

viridescence

The quality of being viridescent, somewhat green, or virid; [1800-early 1900s].

--James Murray's New English Dictionary, 1928

Missing Mistletoe
Among the ancient Druids, the mistletoe was the object of special veneration, but only when it grew upon an oak. ... As oaks were their sacred trees, whatever was found growing upon one they regarded as sent from heaven, and as a mark that the tree was set apart for special veneration. Hence, they called the parasite omnia sanitatem, "all-heal," and looked upon it as a cure for sterility and an antidote for poisons. ... It is hinted that even in Druidic times the parasite rarely if ever grew on oaks, but that the wily priests would furtively transplant their mystic shrub from apple-trees, where it was sure to grow, to oaks, where otherwise it would be unlikely to be found. ... At the present moment, it is estimated that in all England there are not half a dozen oak trees on which the parasite is growing.

--William Walsh's Curiosities of Popular Customs, 1897

Fun. :)

In other news, Laurie and I are back from our various familial trips and intend to spend tomorrow and New Year's Day relaxing and keeping obligatory activities to a minimum. Aside from the traditional trip to the jamesbarrett, hantamouse, and Mütti's house to ring in the new year, just about the only officialish sort of thing we're likely to do is update Quicken and do whatever shuffling we need to do to pay the rent.

Laurie's dad's funeral was pleasant and relatively angst-free, thank goodness. Thank you, everybody, who sent your condolences and comforts!

That's all for now. Catcha later, everybody!

-The Gneech

Comments

[level-head.livejournal.com]

Ah, I missed that. My condolences to Laurie and family.

===|==============/ Level Head

[mooivos.livejournal.com]

Camstone and I have been thinking about the two of you. Glad to hear everything went as well as could be hoped for, given the circumstances.

May you have a wonderful 2004!

[murrrmaiyd.livejournal.com]

Dang it, I missed that as well, my condolences to everyone....

Mur

Mistletoe

[murrrmaiyd.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.....that's very interesting about the mistletoe....so that means I have a sacred tree in my back yard! I have at least one very large clump of mistletoe growing on the Live Oak in my back yard, and just this morning on the Shopper route we passed one Live Oak with *three* huge clumps in it....very cool....

Mur

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Did you and Camstone get your New Year's Eve invites?

-TG

[joeygatorman.livejournal.com]

Do you own the books that you use as sources?

-Gatorman

[mooivos.livejournal.com]

Yes, thank you! We're still in California and will catch up with you soon. Hope you have a great ringing in of 2004!

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Actually, these are quotes from my "Jeffrey Kacirk's Forgotten English" desk calendar. Probably a big ol' copyright violation to post 'em like this, but hopefully nobody will tattle on me.

-The Gneech