spring windshoping the flowers burstout in laughterharu kaze nifukudashi warauhana mogana~BashoTranslated by Jane Reichhold
Month: May 2018
Cool It
Each definition is rare or obsolete, but that just means you can save your breath to cool your porridge.Okay, look, all the jokes can't be good. You have to expect that once in a while.akele, v.1. trans.a. To make cold, to cool. Also fig.: †to make less ardent, vigorous, or vital, to assuage, quench (obs.). … Continue reading Cool It
Japanese Wood
For @galooticus (on Twitter) who's a wood-worker and appreciates a good double-entendre. Also, generally a good bloke and one of the few people likely to see this post.aka-matsu, n.The Japanese red pine, Pinus densiflora, a valuable ornamental and timber tree with reddish wood; the timber itself. Cf. O-MATSU n.
Weekly Basho Haiku #21
spring raina straw cape blows backas river willowsharusame yamino fuki haesukawa yamagi~BashoTranslated by Jane Reichhold
Political Poetry
This is, basically, every English professor's dream: foreign, historical poetry by an oppressed people where the subtext is the only thing that matters.aisling, n.A type of allegorical poem in the Irish language, often serving as a vehicle for political or social comment, which depicts the poet's conversation with a spirit woman who is usually a … Continue reading Political Poetry
Air Cav Is Older Than You Might Think
Okay, well, that's slightly hyperbolic. The literal term "Air Cav", according to the OED, dates from the mid-60's. But the longer "air cavalry", actually has a reference as early as 1913. Which, for extra fun times, contains the phrase "especially the aeroplanists at Nancy".air cavalry, n.Mil. (chiefly U.S.).A highly mobile division of an army which … Continue reading Air Cav Is Older Than You Might Think
Weekly Basho Haiku #20
eight or nine feet upin the sky rain falls froma willowhakku kensora de ame furuyamagi kama~BashoTranslated by Jane Reichhold
BR Play Index Search: Walks
So I spent a few bucks and renewed my subscription to the Baseball Reference Play Index that I'd let lapse a few years back. It's not that expensive, but it is a frivolous item for me since I don't do anything at all professionally related to baseball. It's a lot of fun though. So, starting … Continue reading BR Play Index Search: Walks
Seems Unnecessary
I like a lot of the feminine forms of familiar words. This one seems like a stretch, even to me. But, I've kinda developed a tendency to include any and all unusual feminine words like this, so here ya go.aideress, n.Obs. rare.A female helper.
Joe Green To You
Given the date of origin and the word itself, it must be related to the Verdi opera, but the actual connection is, as the etymology notes, "unclear". Cool word, though.Good opera, too.Aida, n.Although the chronology suggests a connection with Verdi's opera, the reason for this is now unclear...Needlework and Embroidery.A loosely woven linen cloth with … Continue reading Joe Green To You
Neh 