Word For The Day, Thursday, July 3, 2003 - Antaean

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary | 07/03/2003 | The Verbivores

[VRWCmember]

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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".

Antaean \an-TEE-un\ adjective
1. mammoth
2. having superhuman strength *

* Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

Example sentence: In an emergency, an average person can become an Antaean powerhouse, capable even of lifting a car to rescue someone trapped underneath.

Did you know?
In Greek mythology, Antaeus was the gigantic and powerful son of Gaea the Earth goddess and Poseidon the sea god. Antaeus was a wrestler and whenever he touched his mother (the Earth), his strength was renewed, so he always won his battles even if his opponents threw him to the ground. He proved invincible until he challenged Hercules to wrestle. Hercules discovered the source of the giant's strength, lifted him off the ground, and crushed him to death. In 18th century England, the poet William Mason discovered the power of "Antaean" as a descriptive English adjective, when he used it in his _Ode to the Hon. William Pitt_:

"If foil'd at first, resume thy course
Rise strengthen'd with Antaean force."

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....

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[xsmommy]

did you see the object of Kerry's affections? i posted it to the other thread, i will go get it. apparently the guy is the preppy horsey sort that she grew up with and the antithesis of andy, and a REPUBLICAN. no wonder he is so POd....

[NYC GOP Chick]

Yes, it was in the paper this morning. Maybe he got hot for her because of her strong equinine looks. I think I saw her in the fifth race at Belmont a couple of Sundays ago...

[CholeraJoe]

I just got out of the shower a little while ago too. ;)

You and xs both took showers and there wasn't even a national crisis going on? That is a series breach of protocol and could result in a hugh fine.

[Gabz]

.......and there wasn't even a national crisis going on?

I'm so glad you cleared that up for me - I was worried I might have missed something and broken protocol because I haven't showered yet today.

[xsmommy]

Kerry's polo casanova. i am loving this story.

[secret garden]

Krusty is the only clown I like. Mostly because of Sideshow Bob. It will take antaean efforts to make the democrats choose a suitable candidate, while the so-called Dr. Dean is waxing poetic on capital punishment(that's one, no, two, make that three reasons, Tim) and raking in the dough.

[xsmommy]

well there is chatter about TX, so i figured i would be prepared just in case.

[camle]

figures. but i thought crusty was hillary's pantsuit.

[VRWCmember]

did I ever tellyas that that clown pic gives me an antean headache?

I'll replace it with this in the future:

Doh!

[secret garden]

She resembles Christie Todd Whitman too, doesn't she? Has anyone ever seen both of them in the same place at the same time?

[camle]

yeesh! at least this pic is in color

[secret garden]

So now they're Midnight Mo and Hershey the Ho? If the choke chain fits...

[VRWCmember]

A+

He kind of reminds me of the Spanish Inquisition sketch:

Man: ... that's all - I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition.

(JARRING CHORD - The door flies open and Cardinal Ximinez of Spain enters, flanked by two junior cardinals. Cardinal Biggles has goggles pushed over his forehead. Cardinal Fang is just Cardinal Fang)

Ximinez: NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is suprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our four...no... Amongst our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again. (Exit and exeunt)
Man: I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition.

(JARRING CHORD - The cardinals burst in)

Ximinez: NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms - Oh damn! (To Cardinal Biggles) I can't say it - you'll have to say it.
Biggles: What?
Ximinez: You'll have to say the bit about 'Our chief weapons are ...'
Biggles: (rather horrified) I couldn't do that...
(Ximinez bundles the cardinals outside again)
Man: I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition.

(JARRING CHORD - The cardinals enter)

Biggles: Er.... Nobody...um....
Ximinez: Expects...
Biggles: Expects... Nobody expects the...um...the Spanish...um...
Ximinez: Inquisition.
Biggles: I know, I know! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition. In fact, those who do expect -
Ximinez: Our chief weapons are...
Biggles: Our chief weapons are...um...er...
Ximinez: Surprise...
Biggles: Surprise and --
Ximinez: Okay, stop. Stop. Stop there - stop there. Stop. Phew! Ah! ...our chief weapons are surprise...blah blah blah. Cardinal, read the charges.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You are in SOOO much trouble!

[Slip18]

I could not read "It." I did read "Insomnia" and loved it. I've read most of Stephen King's books. I do so love his writing even though a lot of people trash it.

[NYC GOP Chick]

KKC doesn't have that certain patrician, old money style that CTW does; she just looks like a nasty horseface.

[VRWCmember]

OK folks, I've got to get some work done today so I'd better get out of here. xs and slippy can give out the grades today (slippy is pretty generous with the +'s if you make her laugh). Y'all have a great holiday weekend and be safe. If you celebrate the 4th with a 5th, please don't get behind the wheel.

[secret garden]

Mark Steyn has a good one today. I don't know which part I like better - when he calls Dean chippy with a mean streak or when he says Vermont is the Hillary Rodham Clinton of states.

[CholeraJoe]

You are in SOOO much trouble!

Oh Yeah? What are you going to do?

[NYC GOP Chick]

Don't push me...