BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Amos
Date: 31 Oct 04 - 09:41 PM

This explanation looks likely:

"Well, we can look into this by examining the history of the apostrophe.  It is named after the Greek word apostrophos "of turning away, or elision".  So apostrophe was the elision of a letter or letters in a word.  That usage dates in writing from about 1611.  Interestingly, it was earlier that the punctuation mark apostrophe came to be so named as it represented the letters elided.  Shakespeare first uses the word in this sense in 1588 in Love's Labour Lost.  It is possible that the word for the process preceded the word for the punctuation mark but didn't make it into the written record.  English took the word from French apostrophe, which came from the Greek via Latin apostrophus.  


Keep in mind [there'll be a short test, later] that this apostrophe is a bit different from the poetic device known as apostrophe, in which a thing, place, or deceased person is addressed as though it can understand what is being said.  A good example comes from Wordsworth: "Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: England hath need of thee."


While we're on the subject, we should mention that the apostrophe used to denote possession is the same as the one described above that is used to denote a missing letter or letters.  How, you ask?  Well, the apostrophe in a word like fox's represents what was originally an e as in foxes.  So, before the apostrophe was adopted, a possessive was formed just like a plural: "Look at the foxes beautiful tail."  The use of the apostrophe for the e was then expanded to all words in order to denote possession.  This became widespread after 1725."

Regards,

A

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 31 Oct 04 - 10:04 PM

This ain't thread drift. It's thread lurch..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Amos
Date: 31 Oct 04 - 10:11 PM

Yeah, I know, Jerry, but honestly, wouldn't you rather discover etymological mysteries than learn about people shooting off there mouths about what a bunch of assholes we are.? Much more interesting.

If someone wants help here, and didn't get it, they can do two things. They can repeat themselves, and get it, or they can bitch.

Chacun a son mauvais gout.


A

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Janie
Date: 31 Oct 04 - 10:15 PM

The apostrophe can denote a contraction when used with a pronoun.

ie. She's going to the store.-------She is going to the store.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Janie
Date: 31 Oct 04 - 10:19 PM

I somehow managed to miss reading the rest of the thread when I made my last post, so it is way behind and makes no sense now. Sorry.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 12:47 AM

One of my peeves is when an agency or some other official body prints a grievous error, not to mention lumpy sentences. Inside the local buses is a sign promoting adult literacy. It says, 'Helping Alaskan's Read'.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 06:22 AM

Hello Skipy! May I recommend that you only go up your own arsehole,as being up an asshole is fraught with dangers. For starters you would have to stand on a box (danger of falling off) and make sure that the ass was securely tethered both fore and aft. Have a large pot of starters to hand and don't let the ass see your face (danger of later recognition). Pick a pretty one.

Regarding Mudcat, I personally, have never found anything but help and useful information, even as a mere Guest. As with everything else in life politeness costs nothing but is an immensely powerful currency. Anal retention does not work after a Vindaloo!

Pennine Way, the true path.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 09:32 AM

As pointed out above the possessive apostrophe doe's not signify any missing letter's, and is merely a spelling convention to make things a bit more understandable. The greengrocer's apostrophe (bean's, pea's orange's) also seem's to be gaining wider usage, as in thi's post

The abbreviating apostrophe doe's indicate any number of missing letter's, and could formerly appear more than once in a word - Lewi's Carroll use's forms like sha'n't, where the first apostrophe represent's LL, and the second O. But that would nowaday's only be used by pedant's.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Den
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 09:52 AM

I agree with Greg too. I have had an experience where I started a thread only to be told that the subject had been discussed before. I felt that the tone used by the a**hole in question was inappropraite and rude. The long and the short of it is that the discussion continued and lots of folks contributed some great information to the topic being discussed. I think that the Mudcat is like a community gathering place, where you sit around the table having a chat or a debate. If you don't like the discussion or you've been in a similar one recently then you're free to get up and go to another table. There's always plenty being discussed at other tables. Just my 2 cents, Den.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 09:54 AM

When did Americsns start spelling "arse" as "ass"? There must be some documentation on this, but I dont recall seeing aany discussion on it. Was it part of the Declaration of Independence, putting a bit of clear blue spelling water between the two countries?

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Amos
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 10:15 AM

Snuffy:

The reference I posted seems to imply that the possessive apostrophe does indicate ellipsis, the omission of the "e" in plurals used as possessives in Middle English. I don't have any Chaucer with me to see if the possessive form is spelled with an es there but it i9s at least a good hypothesis for why the apostrophe is used for possession.

A

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 10:15 AM

I think, Greg, that it is all in the pronunciation. The ar being shortened to a. This is the problem when you lend languages to people with no sense of responsibility - they f**k them up and then try to tell you that you are wrong.

Mind you, the Americsns won't be pleased.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 11:12 AM

Den, I am sorry that happened to you. No one should ever chastise folks over this. I know that on occasion I have referenced earlier threads, but the intent isn't to discourage a new discussion. It is just to provide a reference point on earlier discussions. I ceased to do that once Jeff built the related threads feature.

That is not to say that I don't point folks to the search function. One of the habits I like to encourage new folks, and older members, to use is this function prior to starting a new thread. It is just a good habit to get into. If your question is still there, or if you just want to discuss an issue more, you can use the older threads or start a new one as you see fit. Once in a while those of us who are mudelfs/clones will combine them if it is clear that it is the same discussion. This is simply done in an effort to conserve space on Max's computers.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Den
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 11:45 AM

Mick, point taken and references are often very useful. I usually try to make as sure as possible not to repeat recent thread topics. But in the case I mentioned (and I don't want to belabour the point) the person was just down right rude and there is no call for that here or anywhere else. I'm sure that if we'd been toe to toe somewhere the response would have been quite different.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 11:49 AM

Yep, Den, I am sure it would have. Nothing is served by rudeness. We all forget that from time to time, but the welcoming nature of Mudcat is what gave it it's reputation.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Once Famous
Date: 01 Nov 04 - 05:21 PM

That's right, all you rectalites ou there.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 02 Nov 04 - 03:55 AM

Rectalite = someone who sticks a bulb up their arse, wears a chinese coolie hat, stands on one leg and pretends that they are an Art Deco lamp.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Greyeyes
Date: 02 Nov 04 - 09:54 AM

Woe betide her if her query included the term "Celtic" in an inappropriate context.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 02 Nov 04 - 01:57 PM

"Rectalite = someone who sticks a bulb up their arse, wears a chinese coolie hat, stands on one leg and pretends that they are an Art Deco lamp."

LOL!!!

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Nov 04 - 03:16 PM

UKers, what do you call a donkey? An arse?

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 02 Nov 04 - 03:34 PM

I have some Celitc news. It seems I have manifested the physiologic expression of a genetic mutation at C282Y (and H63D), which means that my body absorbs iron at an enhanced rate. People who know of such things surmise that the mutation originated in Scotland in the sixth or seventh century, and further, that it was somewhat of an adaptive development in environs which provided a low iron diet (and with relatively short longevity.) I apparently share this defect with more than one in ten of my Celtic brethren, and many Northern Europeans.

This phenomenon, known as hemochromatosis, causes a lifelong, gradual accumulation of iron. Adaptive though it may been at the time of its rise, a high iron diet coupled with longevity, leads to problems for us now. It is rarely detected in males until their mid-forties (me), and women in their mid-fifties. Although there may be vague symptoms such has abdominal and joint pain, the real trigger for diagnosis is elevated liver function test results, (specifically AST (SGTP).) This is because the iron accumulates in the liver as the erythrocytes are harvested for nutrient recycling at their end date. Elevated AST (caused by cellular damage in liver cells, releasing the AST enzymes) could indicate the need for another test for ferritin levels.

Now, although this defect of iron metabolism can cause cellular damage and lead to severe damage of the liver, pancreas, heart, and other organs, increasing the risk of liver and pancreatic cancer, it is easily treated with early intervention. The treatment: Phlebotomy -- Give blood, that's all! (Before the iron in the erythrocytes is re-absorbed.)

There you have it. Mudcat factlet for the day and public health service notice for "Celtic" descendents. Remember: simple treatment only with early detection.

- I am Iron Man

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 02 Nov 04 - 11:57 PM

G'day Ebbie,

I seem to remember reading that "donkey" was introduced as a euphemism for "ass" ... which, in areas prone to pronouncing 'a'in a longer form was being pronounced - and confused with - one's fundament. "Donkey", apparently means something like "small, dark brown" creature.

That said, the Oxford Dictionary lot reckon it's just the familiar form of the man's name Duncan ... but it's all too far back for good historical evidence!

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 12:15 AM

G'day heric,

(Pace Jerry Rasmussen - I know this is now 'Thread Avalanche' ... )

I missed reading your post, while rambling on about donkeys / asses / a**es.

Haemochromatosis hasm become of interest to me (apart from the fact that modern attention was drawn to it after an Australian [female] researcher showed that the prevailing medical cliché ... that it was a disease only found in middle-aged, overweight alchoholics was dead wrong - that it was genetic ... and occurred in many woman ... but was shoved aside as just "women's problems" ... and some died through that misdiagnosis).

I suspected I had the problem and, because I have regular blood tests as part of monitoring mild Type 2 diabetes, I asked for the tests to note the AST (SGTP) levels. My next test didn't indicate anything awry there ... but my most recent test got a query from the doc ... for an elevated AST (SGTP) ... and she asked if I was overdrinking (No! - 2 "standard drinks' per day) I must remind her of my earlier query.

The re-emergence of this may be due to the fact that, after 40 years of regular blood donation, I have been trying to cultivate some antibodies to Rh factor for collection and use in the "Anti-D" program for Rh-ve mothers having Rh+ve babies. This means that I haven't given whole blood (red cells) for a year or so ... and probably means I need to go back to whole blood donation - instead of slotting into the plasmaphoresis program now I have not brewed up enough (... any! ...) antibodies for the Anti-D program!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 04:11 AM

I too am afflicted with this condition, hereditary/genetic, but I am heterozygote. It was explained to me that I only have 50% of the gene and, therefore, unlikely to need regular sessions with leeches or Sweeney Todd or Dracula et al.

Mine was discovered when I had jaundice a couple of years ago. I am also a diabetic, the tests for which don't ordinarily show up this problem.

I've often wondered if too much iron in the blood would set off the alarms at airport security!

Back to the ass question. Donkey (UK) = ass = hairy equine quadraped. Arse (UK) = bum = posterior = butt.

Mudcatters are not up their own asses (well maybe in some remote rural locations - Skipy ?). They are in the vast majority decent, helpful, knowledgeable etc. They do, however, have an almost universally weird sense of humour that often goes into surreal mode. Anyone not used to this sort of thing might well find it strange and feel offended. There is only one answer to this. Lighten up, get surreal.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 04:17 AM

This thread has exploded & is rapidly expanding in space & time, anyone watching from a parralel thread will be able to witness the Doppler effect! In the fullness of time it will lose it's inherant momentum & collapse inward creating pressure beyond belief, time will be "Zeroed" & the thread will be reborn.

What the hell am I smoking?

Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 04:46 AM

Skipy, you're supposed to light the white bit and suck through the opposite end. Are you suffering from nicotinic dyslexia? Are you even suffering at all, or have you reached a state of suspended animation (that's a half drawn cartoon by the way).

Are you a "born again thread". I'm a born again Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 05:12 AM

There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place and the universe opens it's self up for a few seconds to show you what's possible.
I think the time is now!

Big Bang the orignal path.

Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 05:29 AM

Skipy, the only tumblers you know about in a cosmic sense are those containing Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters or Brakespears or Hooky etc.

Big Bang? You haven't pranged the motor have you?

Ordnance Survey the official path.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 05:34 AM

Mingulay, want a chuckle? Read BS a sign of the times!
Oh & you are praticing with Breezy!

Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 06:07 AM

Just read and posted.

Practising what with Breezy? The Black Arts, clog dancing or not knowing John Heslop?

Cambodia the Shining Path.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 06:32 AM

Sendero Luminoso (Peru)

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 06:42 AM

My apologies O great one. Don't know what made me type Cambodia. I did, of course, mean Camden. A grove error.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 06:57 AM

The thames - the path from grove to camden.

Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 07:15 AM

"From Grove to Camden". Isn't that a John Denver song?

Cobbles the rough path.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 08:07 AM

Granite cobbles - A Path Through the Japanese Garden.
Bryan Albright, Constance Tindale, Constance Tindal.

The Crowood Press.
ISBN 1861263163
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 09:50 AM

Waiter ..... I'll have what they are having, thanks.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 10:58 AM

Waiter.... send him a jug. Put it on the institution account.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 11:11 AM

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 11:15 AM

Send me 2 big jugs, I like big jugs

Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 11:46 AM

Yes Skipy, we know what you like, hence the reasoning behind NMD. How many self inflicted black eyes have you caused among the female population over the years?

Won't be playing any more now until next week as I am off to Flanders in the morning and must get my beauty sleep (and Euros).

Do try and keep the standards low.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: skipy
Date: 03 Nov 04 - 05:43 PM

I promise to keep the standards low!

Enjoy, skipy

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:06 AM

All this transatlantic talk of ass v arse reminds me, at this festive time, that Jesus went riding into town on his ass rather than sliding into town on his arse...

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:42 AM

That may have been at Easter, rather than Christmas

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: MartinRyan
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:59 AM

Or even Christm-ass...

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 09:10 AM

Mary rode a donkey (or 'dunky' if you were badly brought up) into Bethlehem. Jesus rode an ass into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (week before Easter). Balaam couldn't shift his ass at all... I would suggest prunes.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Barry Finn
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 09:22 AM

I'm just glad that no one's riding my ass anywhere.
Happy Holidays

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Wesley S
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 09:26 AM

Actually Liz there is no mention in the bible of Mary riding a donkey or anything else to Bethlehem. As far as we know from those accounts she walked.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 11:01 AM

Having been given the gift of music, is in itself, an honor, and a privilege. How one respects, develops that gift, both humbly, and respectfully, would determine whether or not one is in an 'elite' group, given the high calling one can achieve using that gift. Merely picking up an instrument, and fancying one's self, as an elitist is nothing at all.
Often, those who have 'control issues', are the one's complaining about others being controlling...because it encroaches upon THEIR sense of control!
I know I have had differences with some on here, and I've had agreements as well...but I've also had other points of view, that were presented on here, that I've found enlightening, because of the exchange of ideas. some, I've found well thought out, some well articulated, but in error, some right on and some right off....but as said in Proverbs.."A wise man hears all, before he answers"..and,"There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors".
P.S....I hope you both respect the gift of a vocalist, by not smoking around them(you elitists)....I don't sing anymore, mostly compose, and arrange, and engineer now...got an extra smoke?

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 12:01 PM

To clarify the debate on Assholes and Arseholes...... We Brits have arseholes and asses have assholes... hope that's clear......... ROFLOL.

Subject: RE: BS: mudcatters are up their own a**holes
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 12:02 PM

Bum'oles