http://faerye.net/post/in-the-hands-of-reason-harrisComments on "In the Hands of Reason: Harris" - Faerye Net2004-02-26T20:26:36+00:00http://faerye.net/post/in-the-hands-of-reason-harris#comment-1051Not very scary today...2004-02-26T20:26:36+00:002004-02-26T20:26:36+00:00<p>Today’s AWAD word:</p>
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benighted (bi-NYT-id) adjective
1. Intellectually, morally, or socially ignorant; unenlightened.
2. Overtaken by night or darkness.
[From be- + night + -ed.]
"It will come as a surprise to many that consumption is not now nor was
it ever the driving force in the U.S. or any other economy. The benighted
among us on this matter include most politicians, TV talking heads and a
surprising number of economists."
Terrorism, Consumption and Economic Recovery; The Korea Times (Seoul,
South Korea); Sep 30, 2001.
"That moment, across the long benighted mind of Captain Delano, a flash
of revelation swept ..."
Herman Melville; Benito Cereno; 1856.
This week's theme: words for insults.
</pre>GreyStorkhttp://faerye.net/post/in-the-hands-of-reason-harris#comment-1048Re: Cool2004-02-25T16:02:24+00:002004-02-25T16:02:24+00:00<p>Thank you. I do my best.</p>felicityhttp://faerye.net/post/in-the-hands-of-reason-harris#comment-1047Re: This is almost scary...2004-02-25T15:58:56+00:002004-02-25T15:58:56+00:00<p>Well, let’s see if they do philippic tomorrow… :)</p>felicityhttp://faerye.net/post/in-the-hands-of-reason-harris#comment-1046This is almost scary...2004-02-25T13:39:03+00:002004-02-25T13:39:03+00:00<p>Today’s word on the <a href="http://wordsmith.org/"><i>A Word A Day</i></a> mailing list:
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blunderbuss (BLUN-duhr-bus) noun
1. A short, wide-mouthed gun used to scatter shots at close range.
2. A clumsy, blundering person.
adjective
Clumsy, blundering.
[Alteration of Dutch donderbus, from donder (thunder) + bus (gun, tube).
The gun wasn't known for its precise shot. Its scattershot effect resulted
in its name being altered from donderbus to blunderbuss. It wasn't long
before the word was applied to insensitive, blundering persons.]
"Those blunderbuss editors at Webster's New World College Dictionary
(you know, the third edition), had it coming."
Mark Story; Resilient Braves Worthy of Own Lexicon; Herald-Leader
(Lexington, Kentucky); Jul 25, 2003.
"Buchanan must grapple not only with the president's well-tuned political
machine but with the weakness of his own message and the blunderbuss way
he conveys it."
Matthew Cooper and Thom Geier; Waning Cry from the Right; U.S.News &
World Report (Washington, DC); Feb 17, 1992.
This week's theme: words for insults.
</pre>GreyStorkhttp://faerye.net/post/in-the-hands-of-reason-harris#comment-1045Cool2004-02-25T08:24:37+00:002004-02-25T08:24:37+00:00<p>I like it. It’s pleasantly atmospheric, and I now need to know what’s up with Miss Tinker.</p>Mithrandir