[hobbes1]

The first English appearance of the Greek name Xantippe occurs in The Taming of the Shrew. In that comedy, the mercenary Petruchio explains that he is not particular about whom he chooses to marry; as long as a woman has money, he says, it does not matter if she is "as curst and shrowd / As Socrates’ Xantippe" (I.ii.70-71). With his first and only reference to Xantippe (and to Socrates), Shakespeare expresses the stereotype of Socrates’ wife as a nagging housewife.

The modern French writer Simone de Beauvoir, however, argues in The Second Sex, "In the figure of Xantippe are summed up all the grievances of the Greek citizen against the shrewish wife and against the adversities of married life," for "males have always complained about Xantippe’s tyranny."

The only term in Shakespeare’s canon to begin with the letter X, this name is variously spelled, from Zentippe in the First Folio to Zantippe in later editions. Modern spellers prefer Xantippe or Xanthippe; depending on the chosen spelling, the name is pronounced either "zan-TIH-pee" or "zan-THIH-pee."

Other writers have followed Shakespeare’s lead. In Tom Jones (1749), Henry Fielding referred to "an errant Vixen of a Wife.... By this Xantippe he had two Sons." More than a century later, the plural of the name appeared in an 1859 book on manners: "For the time being, the worst of Xantippes must turn into an angel of amiability if she gives a ball." Such a sentence is unlikely in a modern book—balls are rarer than they used to be, and women are almost never referred to as Xantippes.

[hobbes1]

*Ping

[Texan5]

Morning, hobbes! How's this?

The democrat senators are brought to heel
When a renegade colleague cuts a deal.
So they return to Texas under duress
With Letecia playing Xantippe to the press.

I do so love the smell of democrats frying in the morning...

[NeoCaveman]

3

[NeoCaveman]

The History of Hillary:
Hippie, Harpy, Zantippe.

[Laura Earl]

Morning!

[NeoCaveman]

How to be the opposite of a xantippe.

The coquettes can thank me later for all the good advice.

[CSM]

I watched a debate last night that had questions directed to 8 idiots and one Xantippe!

[doubled]

Political war profiteers
Sound like xantippes to the ears
They don't like the fight
Or to do what is right
They'd rather harp on their fears.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Homework:

This is a nice word!

I LIKE any form of xeanatittippes ....

(Oh. Wait. Did I spell the word of the day right?)

[Argh]

Not exactly news, but I recently received the following freepmail from WFTD's very own Xantippe. I've censored most of it because it gets even more embarrassing than the bit you'll see here (it includes part of some old song about how just to see me smile makes her life worthwhile, and goes downhill from there):

Revered Master!

I pathetically crave the boon of being allowed to kiss your pristine feet, but fear my foul lips would do them a great disservice... (She's got that right - Argh)...I pray every day to be granted even a mere glimpse of your noble countenance and form...(OK, enough already - Argh)

Your humble and most obedient servant
The Whyisa

Sheesh! You can't make this stuff up...