Word of the day ...

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  • Dave2002
    Full Member
    • Dec 2010
    • 18057

    Word of the day ...

    Kakistocracy.

    I wonder why!?
  • french frank
    Administrator/Moderator
    • Feb 2007
    • 30610

    #2
    Originally posted by Dave2002 View Post
    Kakistocracy.

    I wonder why!?
    Tough one, Dave ...
    It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

    Comment

    • LMcD
      Full Member
      • Sep 2017
      • 8785

      #3
      Originally posted by french frank View Post

      Tough one, Dave ...
      I'm relieved (I think) to discover that it doesn't mean rule by the cast of 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum'.

      Comment

      • french frank
        Administrator/Moderator
        • Feb 2007
        • 30610

        #4
        Originally posted by LMcD View Post

        I'm relieved (I think) to discover that it doesn't mean rule by the cast of 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum'.
        Careful now ...
        It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

        Comment

        • Old Grumpy
          Full Member
          • Jan 2011
          • 3676

          #5
          Originally posted by Dave2002 View Post
          Kakistocracy.

          I wonder why!?

          Comment

          • eighthobstruction
            Full Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 6455

            #6
            ....Dorothea: "I am afraid Rev Casaubon is in the kakistry - conjuring the election of the kakistocrats...."
            bong ching

            Comment

            • Serial_Apologist
              Full Member
              • Dec 2010
              • 37929

              #7
              Originally posted by Dave2002 View Post
              Kakistocracy.

              I wonder why!?
              Just another camouflage.

              Comment

              • french frank
                Administrator/Moderator
                • Feb 2007
                • 30610

                #8
                Originally posted by eighthobstruction View Post
                ....Dorothea: "I am afraid Rev Casaubon is in the kakistry - conjuring the election of the kakistocrats...."
                It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.

                Comment

                • smittims
                  Full Member
                  • Aug 2022
                  • 4524

                  #9
                  Yesterday I came across Harridan, presumably horsemeat (not in the OED). The Revd. James Woodforde had it for dinner one day in1798 and described it as 'neither mutton nor lamb. ' He resolved not to have it again.

                  Comment

                  • Old Grumpy
                    Full Member
                    • Jan 2011
                    • 3676

                    #10
                    Originally posted by smittims View Post
                    Yesterday I came across Harridan, presumably horsemeat (not in the OED). The Revd. James Woodforde had it for dinner one day in1798 and described it as 'neither mutton nor lamb. ' He resolved not to have it again.
                    In what context was the word used - the meaning I would associate with it is entirely different!

                    Comment

                    • HighlandDougie
                      Full Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 3121

                      #11
                      I was sufficiently intrigued by Harridan to download Parson Woodforde's Diary - the copy which had been in Rudyard Kipling's library has been scanned into the "Internet Archive". I didn't find the reference in 1798 but that was because I was skim-reading - can Smittims supply the date? It would be most unlikely to have been horsemeat, as there was a general taboo against eating horses in England, certainly until later in the 19th century. Doing so was seen as a sign of desperation, indicative of famine. I doubt if Woodforde had ever experienced famine, if the consumtion recorded in his diaries is any guide!

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