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Everything posted by Bill W
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It's obviously a situation that Mac knows he has to keep an eye on and do what is best for Clint. It would probably be easy for him to give in, but he seems to be carefully choosing what he will and won't do.
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engrossed - Word of the Day - Tue Jun 17, 2025
Bill W commented on Myr's blog entry in Writing World
The word "engrossed" traces its roots back to the Old French word "en gros," meaning "in bulk" or "in quantity," which came from the medieval Latin word "in grosso" meaning "Wholesale." Engrossed may have also evolved from the the Anglo-Norman verb "engrosser," which meant to write in large letter or to draft something in its final form, and that came from medieval Latin ingrossare, which meant to thicken or write in a large, thick script. The term evolved to signify complete absorption or deep focus on something, capturing the entire attention. The earliest known use of the verb engross is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). The OED's earliest evidence for engross is from Middle English before 1400. The adjective "engrossed" was first used in English in the late 1500s. The Oxford English Dictionary cites John Banister, a surgeon, as the first known user in 1578. Examples of the word "engrossed" used in a sentence: "I was completely engrossed in the book I was reading." "The leader asked his question with an engrossed expression on his face." "But such things were impossible when he saw her engrossed in a daydream." "The members of the "rules committee" seemed to be engrossed in conversation." "The pair were so engrossed in their carnal activities that they did not even notice Loren." "She nods a curt reply as she is deeply engrossed in letting the sun's rays bathe her pale, freckly body." "His eyes opened slightly, unseeing, totally engrossed by the concentration required of him. -
Chapter 10 – Making Decisions After breakfast on Sunday, Gramps and Pops headed home and Devin and I began to gear up for the weekend ahead. It was the weekend of the CSU-Hawaii football game, which meant Lonny and Clint would be showing up. Earlier, after the Colorado game, Clint had talked his dad, Devin, and me into agreeing that they could show up on Friday this time, and then stay until Sunday. “I just have one request,” I told Devin during the week, “which is that you’ll find
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incendiary - Word of the Day - Mon Jun 16, 2025
Bill W commented on Myr's blog entry in Writing World
Incendiary language used in arguments, especially political, can, and often do, result in individual physical altercations, donnybrooks, and even murder. -
incendiary - Word of the Day - Mon Jun 16, 2025
Bill W commented on Myr's blog entry in Writing World
Incendiary comes from Middle English incendiarie, which came from Old French incendiaire. This in turn came from Latin incendiārius (“setting alight”), from incendium (“destructive fire”), from incendō (“I set on fire, kindle”), from in- (“into, in, on, upon”) + candeō (“I am hot”). Early thermal, or incendiary, weapons, which used heat or burning action to destroy or damage enemy personnel, fortifications or territories, were employed in warfare during the ancient and post-classical periods (approximately the 8th century BC until the mid-16th century AD). The English word "incendiary" was The word "incendiary" in English was first recorded in the 15th century. It originally described something capable of causing fire, physically (like a weapon). The figurative sense of "enflaming passions" emerged in the 17th century, around 1610-1611. Examples of "incendiary" used in a sentence: "The fire was started by an incendiary bomb." "The radical polemics of the panels must have seemed incendiary in the 1930s." *"All weapons are strictly prohibited from the stadium, from small knives to incendiary devices." *"The principal's incendiary remarks about their clothes were not appropriate for the students to hear." *"His team continued to clear the building and toss flares into corners as they sought out any living insurgents or incendiary devices. *"The politician did not expect the responses to his town hall address to be so incendiary." *"The man's rude and incendiary comments to the restaurant staff led to him being forced to leave." -
I thought the same thing as I was reading the story, @weinerdog. I was waiting for Ray to say 'shit" or "damn" next. 😜 This turned out to be a very versatile story, @Lee Wilson. It would have been appropriate for April Fool's Day or Halloween, and possibly even on April 15th, because a lot of people use the "F" and "P" words on tax day. Thanks for the interesting story and I'll never look at an armoire the same way again.
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I'll admit that I forgot @Valkyrie's birthday as well, so Happy Belated Birthday, Val!, but she's 29 already? And for my bad Dad joke: Why do fathers always take two pairs of socks to the golf course? Why did Dad fall in the well? I can hear the groans already.
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The famous quote by Robert Burns in his poem "To a Mouse" is "The best laid schemes of mice and men oft gang agley." Today that same sentiment would be stated as "The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry." The poem itself is a reflection on the destructive nature of progress and the interconnectedness of humans and nature.
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The word "awry" originates from Middle English, combining the prefix "a-" (meaning "on, in, to") with the word "wry". "Wry" itself means "twisted or turned to one side". Therefore, "awry" literally means "on wry," signifying something that is twisted, crooked, or not in the right direction. The word "awry" first appeared in the English language in the late 14th century, in John Barbour's The Bruce (c. 1380). Examples of "awry" used in a sentence: "Unfortunately, is seems that our plans have gone awry," "But King George's smile was a bit awry tonight." "James was dressed for the meeting, and although his suit was neat, his tie was awry." "He walked alone, grim-faced, hair awry and eyes glowering." "My mind was too awry to applaud or condemn his action." "This, however, is the point where much of biblical literary scholarship has often gone awry." "Something had gone awry, or so the twins found out a day or two later, although Vinnie swore everything went according to plan and they hadn't done anything wrong."
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No, he only invented the oversize codpiece on his armor.
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pugnacious - Word of the Day - Wed Jun 11, 2025
Bill W commented on Myr's blog entry in Writing World
Would it apply to when a male and a female pug have a fight followed by make-up sex? Isn't that pugnacious? -
Indulge was first recorded in 1630–40; from Latin indulgēre "to give free reign to, to be lenient toward, to accede, to take pleasure in." The verb: indulge; 3rd person present: indulges; past tense: indulged; past participle: indulged; gerund or present participle: indulging. The verb "indulge" first appeared in the English language in the mid-17th century, specifically in the 1630s. The Oxford English Dictionary earliest evidence for indulge (verb) is 1638, indulged (adj.) is 1682, indulgence (noun) is 1362, indulgence (verb) is 1599 (in the writing of Thomas Nashe, writer), and indulgent (adj.) is 1509. Merriam-Webster records the first known use of indulge as circa 1623. Examples of "indulge" used in a sentence: "The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs." "I love champagne but I don't often indulge myself. "We took a deliberate decision to indulge in a little nostalgia." "I don't indulge in idle gossip" "Since she retired, she's been able to indulge a growing passion for literature." "The chocolaty sweetness in this zucchini loaf makes it perfect for the indulging dieter and fussy eater alike." "The menu was quite extensive, and the indulging father let his children order whatever they wanted."
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lascivious - Word of the Day - Fri Jun 13, 2025
Bill W commented on Myr's blog entry in Writing World
The word "lascivious" traces back to the Latin word lascivia ‘lustfulness’, from lascivus ‘lustful, wanton’, and the Late Latin form, lascīviōsus, was used in a scolding sense by early Church writers, further emphasizing its association with lewdness. Lascivious has a history rooted in playful, lewd, and lustful connotations. It evolved through Middle English into its current meaning of being lewd or inclined towards lust. The earliest known use of the word "lascivious" in the English language is in the 15th century, specifically around 1425, appearing in the writings of John Lydgate. Examples of "lascivious" used in a sentence: * "This is an allegation of lewd and lascivious conduct, Nancy." * "Cool down, Liz; cease that lascivious whistling immediately." * "He leered at Elisabeth, arched his eyebrows with a lascivious grin, then stretched with great exaggeration." * "But make sure your timing is right - privacy is usually a good idea, keeping the lascivious message between the two of you." * "Jennifer "Toastee" Toof, the former VH-1 Flavor of Love 2 contestant who was eliminated because her lascivious background was exposed, is the latest celebreality star whose sex tape has hit the airwaves." * "In an effort to shed some of the scandalous and lascivious reputation of the dance, Middle Eastern dancers and enthusiasts began to suggest more spiritual roots to the art of Arabic belly dance." -
That was my first thought as well, but when I looked back at his responses to the congratulations and saw that he used the term "mate", well maybe he's from a British Commonwealth nation.
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Damn, this spider's web even comes with a doorframe. 😵
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I was unable to find any references to this, even in the Disney movie, because there is no character with that name or title. The lamp grants the wishes, and in the animated movie Jafar tried to interfere with that process.
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The progeny of King Henry VIII of England were the future King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I, and Queen Elizabeth I.
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Progeny comes from Old French progenie, which comes froms derived from the Latin word progenies, which means 'offspring' or 'descendants'. That in turn is derived from the Latin verb progignere, which means ‘beget’, 'bring about', or 'create'. The first known use of the word "progeny" in English is recorded in the 14th century, meaning "offspring" or "descendants." It originates from the Middle English word "progenie." Examples of "progeny" in a sentence: "Plants for mutagenesis were the progeny of one pair of plants from this inbred population." "To some extent, plants may target dispersal of progeny toward favorable habitats." "Having crossed yellow and green seeded peas both ways, he found that the progeny resulted in all yellow colored seeds." "By his numerous mistresses he had a large illegitimate progeny." "The person died and did not have any further progeny to seed with the memory." "French deism, the direct progeny of the English movement, was equally short-lived."
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GA's Newest Signature Author: Mark Ponyboy Peters
Bill W commented on Graeme's blog entry in Gay Authors News
Congrats, Ponyboy. -
pugnacious - Word of the Day - Wed Jun 11, 2025
Bill W commented on Myr's blog entry in Writing World
Pugnacious comes from the Latin verb pugnare (meaning "to fight"), which in turn comes from the Latin word for "fist," pugnus. Another Latin word related to pugnus is pugil, meaning "boxer." Pugil is the source of our word pugilist, which means "fighter" and is used especially of professional boxers. The earliest known use of the word "pugnacious" in the English language is in 1642, in the writings of Henry More, a philosopher, poet, and theologian. Examples of "pugnacious" in a sentence: "The adult males are extremely pugnacious and fight fiercely with one another." "There's one pugnacious member on the committee who won't agree to anything." "And there seemed to be absolutely no one on the flight who was the least bit pugnacious." "It is exceedingly fierce and pugnacious, the males especially fighting with each other for possession of the females." "It is a clever, agile and powerful dog, extremely pugnacious in disposition." "This suggests that the resemblance to the pugnacious individual may be beneficial in protecting the defenseless cuckoo from enemies." -
Yes, it will be important for Devin not to rush the healing process. He's fooled the doctor for now, but he still has to be careful. Yes, the boys have to be careful when they're around Preston. It seems his education has taught him to be very observant, so being around him will have its risks. No, Devin hasn't saved anyone in a while, so we'll have to wait and see what happens next. That's one possible scenario for Bear and Bailey, and I don't think chivalry is dead, at least not where Devin is concerned. 😁
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Thanks, Chris. Yes, everyone had a good time at the football game, especially Clint. Yes, Devin was able to pull off his ruse and fooled the doctor. Now, he just has to wait for the operation.
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Yes, that would have been very helpful. I'm also curious as to the outcome of this battle royal.
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You're right Tb, hero worship and puppy love can be tricky things that can lead to huge disappointments at times.
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Thanks, Danilo. Yes, Preston was very observant, but hopefully Mac quick response took care of the problem. How true, drs, and Preston's spotting the "little things" as you call it, almost tripped up Mac's portrayal of Devin. Yes, Clint needs to fixate on someone other than Mac.
