Posted on 10/10/2005 12:27:53 PM PDT by VRWCmember
In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".
rapier \RAY-pee-er\ adjective
extremely sharp or keen
Example sentence:
In the June 1992 issue of Field & Stream magazine, Dave Hughes offered the following fly-fishing advice: "In one fluid motion, lift the rod up and back, and drive it forward with a rapier thrust."
Did you know?
A rapier is a straight, two-edged sword with a narrow pointed blade, designed especially for thrusting. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, "the long rapier was beautifully balanced, excellent in attack, and superb for keeping an opponent at a distance." The word itself, which we borrowed in the 16th century, is from Middle French "rapiere." (It has no connection to the word "rape.") The first time that "rapier" was used as an adjective in its figurative "cutting" sense, it described a smile: "Who can bear a rapier smile? A kiss that dooms the soul to death?" ("The Lover's Lament" by Sumner Lincoln Fairfield, 1824). Wit was first described as "rapier-like" by an author in 1853, and, these days, the most common use of the adjective "rapier" is to describe wit.
Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence.
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day.
The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....
Review Threads:
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!)
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
Review Thread Four: Word For the Day, Friday 7/25/03: Potation
Review Thread Five: Word For the Day, Monday 8/19/03: Stolid
Review Thread Six: Word for the Day, Tuesday 11/09/2004: Peripatetic (Post #125 may be my best anagram post ever)
Here is my example with WFTD.
You know a thread about glowing gonads is going to give FReepers an opportunity to show of their rapier wit.
Mosquito with glowing gonads to help battle malaria
Of course, if that's not enough, there are several other threads demonstrating something less than a rapier intellect:
No Shirt, No Shoes and No Pants Means Jail
Naked Came the Newsboy All the Naked News Fit to Print
Yale's Official "Renowned" Alumna Wins for Feminist Knitting Networks, Mag. for Buxom Women
The suggestion that the [Yale] alumni magazine's editors are insensitive to women is...delusional...In [a recent] issue.., the renowned-alumnus slot goes to Debbie Stoller, the editor of Bust magazine ("For Women With Something to Get Off Their Chests") and author of Stitch 'n Bitch Nation, which inspired an international network of women's knitting groups.Perhaps we should recommend xs to Ms. Stoller as a potential covergirl for both of her publications.
No pushing at the door please!
Get to class, you slackers! I've opened a new classroom, but Miss Rika has the gradebook. So if you're looking for a grade you'll have to ping her. Miss Slippy is pretty generous with the plusses if you compliment her shapely legs, so you might try submitting your homework to her instead. My secret for getting extra plusses on my A+ from xs will remain a secret between me and her, so you're on your own if you want her to review your work.
Get to class, you slackers! I've opened a new classroom, but Miss Rika has the gradebook. So if you're looking for a grade you'll have to ping her. Miss Slippy is pretty generous with the plusses if you compliment her shapely legs, so you might try submitting your homework to her instead. My secret for getting extra plusses on my A+ from xs will remain a secret between me and her, so you're on your own if you want her to review your work.
a tad late aren't we?
!
Rapier wits are not in favor around here lately.
Later.
I knew something was missing from my morning today....
But I am up to my elbows in Fall Cleaning (like spring cleaning, but I do things backwards a lot)...and my rapier wit is in slow gear...I doubt if it would pierce butter...but soap bubbles, maybe.
Night school?
Either that or remedial class. I'm not sure which.
Given this class, it is likely remedial.
QUEEN GERTRUDE: Bestow this place on us a little while.
[Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN]
Ah, my good lord, what have I seen to-night!
KING CLAUDIUS: What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?
QUEEN GERTRUDE: Mad as the sea and wind, when both contend
Which is the mightier: in his lawless fit,
Behind the arras hearing something stir,
Whips out his rapier, cries, 'A rat, a rat!'
And, in this brainish apprehension, kills
The unseen good old man.
KING CLAUDIUS: O heavy deed!
My rapier sense of smell dislikes the litterbox.
Good morning, all!
The chef is here. Good eats for everyone.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
I would have figured the source to be something other than a fishing magazine.
Shoot, it's already afternoon even on the left coast.
dang...am I in after school detention, again?
Are the Epitome
Of all that a Host and Hostess
Should not Be...
Can we opt for licks instead of detention?
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