Like most writers, I love language.  Etymology is a fascinating subject, sometimes controversial, and more accessible with lots of Internet resources available with the click of a mouse.  Unfortunately, this also leads to an abundance of word myths.

Posh is an example of such a word myth.  It’s fun to think that a word meaning luxurious came from rich English passengers on the P&O Lines who requested “port out, starboard home” to keep their delicate skin out of the sun.  However, according to etymologists, there’s no foundation for this popular belief.  See, Online Etymology Dictionary: Posh for more details.

There are also entries for some of our “colorful metaphors,” as Spock calls them.  Even Van Halen had a little fun with it by titling one of their albums For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.  I’ve also heard the phrases, “for use of carnal knowledge” and “fornication under consent of the king” as the explanation of how the word came to be in our vocabulary.

So, the next time you receive an e-mail with some acronomic (I made that word up) explanation for a word, have a good laugh, but please don’t take it at face value.  Oh, and post it in the comments, just because it isn’t accurate doesn’t mean you can’t share.

Jessie

Yes, that wonderful, mystical song as sung by Bonnie Tyler with her whiskey voice. The song came out in 1983 (boy, do I feel old now), and like many young ladies, I feel in love with the song.

It had an ethereal feel, even without seeing the video, that took it beyond a mere pop song. With it’s passionate & tortured lyrics. How could this not not touch your heart and lead you in the supernatural directions of love?

And if you only hold me tight
We’ll be holding on forever
And we’ll only be making it right
Cause we’ll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the light
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don’t know what to do and I’m always in the dark
We’re living in a poltergag and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight

What? That’s the way I originally sung the song, with probably millions of others. Now, it wasn’t really our fault that we heard the lyrics that way. After all, the movie, Poltergeist had just come out the year before, in 1982. So, I went to the end of the light and lived in a poltergag. It was totally appropriate for my young angst about life, love, and happily ever after. I think all young girls could identify with poltergag in the context of the song as a tumultuous chamber of the soul, ready to explode at any moment.

It wasn’t until years later that I realized that it was the “end of the line” and “powder keg.” Of course, those make much more sense, but they also take away some of the mysticism of the song.

Sometimes, I still sing it that way.

Jessie

Okay, I haven’t blogged in a looooong time, but it’s that time of year again (Super Bowl), and I had to get my annual picks for the half-time show out. This Super Bowl is very special for me this year. Not only are my beloved Colts playing, but it’s on my birthday! Probably won’t do a big b’day bash, maybe have the kids over for a little while, but I do plan on opening a bottle of champagne when the Colts win. I’ve also already told the bosses I’ll be late on the 8th, because well, I’m older than the Super Bowl and basically want to sleep in after a long night.

Now, on to my picks. The Who is the half-time entertainment, and they have an extensive amount of material to choose from, but I’m giving it my best shot. (My favorite, Mama’s Got a Squeezebox, probably won’t make it.)

Baba O’Riley

Magic Bus

The Kids Are Alright

You Better You Bet

Who Are You

Go Colts!

Jessie

  This is a photograph of me, my grandfather, and my great grandfather.  It was taken in Cleveland, TN circa 1968.  Compositionally, there’s not a lot to the photograph. We’re in the back yard of my great aunt’s house at a picnic table. Here’s what the photograph doesn’t show you:

I was an ADHD child. My grandfather has his arms to either side of me to keep me in one place.

I was never a tea party type of girl, which probably explains why the teacup is toppled.

My great grandfather is using a cane. Not long after this photo was taken, he was bed ridden. Less than a year later, he passed away. I inherited the hospital-type bed he had. It’s got a metal frame, and the mattress is a lot higher than most beds.

The screen door at the back of the house was actually to an enclosed porch. My great aunt was a child care provider and this area was a play room of sorts for the kids. This is also where she made pickles. There was always a bucket of cucumber slices soaking in lime next to the door. I love homemade bread & butter pickles.

The garage (left building) housed a 1953 (we think) Chevrolet, brown and tan. The seat fabric was gaberdine, the scratchy stuff. This is probably one of the few times that “she only drove it to the store and church” was true. Although, I do remember that she did drive it to Knoxville once. When my aunt passed away, the car went to a nephew. The tires had completely rotted and had to be replaced before it could be moved out of the garage. 

My great-grandfather was a carmudgeon. Although, you can probably tell that from his expression. He delighted in getting me to do things that would get us both in trouble.

The back yard is completely fenced in.

There was a clothesline that ran down the left side fence, and my great aunt used it regularly.

And, my memory is a little fuzzy on this, but I believe there was a small shed in the back left corner. I’ll have to check on that.

One photograph. Years of memories.

Jessie

I Caved

After the intense craving I had for fast food a few weeks ago, I have to admit that I caved. In fact, I cave once a week, but otherwise I’m eating healthier. I’m working my way to only caving in once every two weeks.

Well, today was my cave day. I went all out at Sonic, including the hot fudge cake sundae.

Now, I want a nap, and I wonder why. With the sugar (from the sundae and the cherry limeade), the chocolate, and the coffee I should be on a rush and a little jittery. In fact, I’m having a hard time just keeping my eyes open.

I think I’ll go splash cold water on my face. See if it helps.

Have a great weekend!
Jessie
On the iPod - Reminiscing, Little River Band

Haircuts. I’m not particularly vain, and the only real requirement I have for a haircut is that my bangs are out of my eyes. So naturally, I hate paying for haircuts. Especially when all I really want to do is take any pair of scissors and cut the offending bangs myself.

Confession time: I have cut my bangs - several times, and have on occasion snipped away at other parts of my hair.

But hey, no one, not even my really good friends who tell me I’m getting fatter, or that a color doesn’t compliment my skin tone, or that my shoes are ugly, have ever said anything about my hair.

Hmmm, is that a good or bad sign? Is it worse to comment on a friend’s haircut than her weight?

Well, it is haircut time again, and I’ll be heading to the salon because I have some special events coming up in the next couple of weeks that I want to look nice for. One of them, a presentation on electronic publishing for CLE - Literary Lawyers, is being videotaped. Aaack! Adding 10 lbs! I’d better have a good haircut.

Jessie

I’m a total House junkie.  I love that I get to watch a couple of shows a night, even if they are reruns I’ve seen a dozen times.  But tonight, a rare treat.  I’m watching one I haven’t seen before.  House isn’t the kind of man I’d want to be around for any amount of time.  So, the question is would I want him for my doctor.  I’m not sure.  Of course, for television drama, he and his team have to get the diagnosis wrong a number of times before they can pronounce the right one and save the day (at least most of the time).  I’m not so sure I’d want a doctor who makes so many mistakes before getting to the right answer.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day.  I got the works, candy, roses, card, dinner out.  It wasn’t extravagant (regular box, silk flower, Chinese buffet, but it made me misty-eyed.  I’m a sucker for silly love.

On another note, I also got some exciting news, but I can’t say anything now.  maybe in a few days.

Jessie

How long do you wash your hands after using the facilities? They (whoever “they” are) recommend 30 seconds. I’ve heard of several different ways to time it. There’s the sing the Alphabet Song, or Happy Birthday to You song twice (in your head of course). Well, I did a little experiment, and both the songs timed out at around 22 - 25 seconds.

But here’s the quirky observation: I’ve noticed that if a restroom is spotless or very clean, people don’t spend as much time washing their hands as when the bathroom is…not so clean. I’ve even seen people just sort of wet their fingertips, no soap, and dry them with a paper towell on their way out. And sadly, I’ve seen people who don’t wash their hands at all. However, maybe they have hand sanitizer in the purse or pocket and will use it once outside the restroom door. That’s my hope, anyway.

While we hope that the fingertip washer had a lot of toilet paper to prevent any seepage, we really don’t know. I have to admit, if the exit door allows it, I’ll push it open with my foot to avoid touching the handle after a fingertip washer, or no washer has exited in front of me. If it isn’t possible, I do have sanitizer in my purse.

Jessie

Sort of.  I’m just not as excited about this year’s game as I have been the past couple of years.  I’ve never really been a Cardinals fan, but it’s more that I don’t really know anything about them than anything else.

Back in the days of Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann, I was a Steelers fan, but that’s waned over the years.

So, who am I rooting for?  The Cardinals.  Although, I don’t have the gut feeling that they’re going to win like I did last year with the Giants.  Either way, I think it’ll be a fun game.

Bruce Springsteen is the half-time performer.  Here’s my annual guess for the songs he’ll sing:

Born in the USA (duh)
Cover Me
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
and one from the new album, which I haven’t heard yet.

Have a great weekend!
Jessie