Bill W

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.

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."

No, he only invented the oversize codpiece on his armor.

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."

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.

Damn, this spider's web even comes with a doorframe. 😵

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.

The progeny of King Henry VIII of England were the future King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I, and Queen Elizabeth I.

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."

Congrats, Ponyboy.

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. 😁

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.

Yes, that would have been very helpful. I'm also curious as to the outcome of this battle royal.

You're right Tb, hero worship and puppy love can be tricky things that can lead to huge disappointments at times.

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.

Equivocate comes from from late Latin aequivocat- ‘called by the same name’, from the verb aequivocare, from aequivocus, which itself c comes from aequi-, meaning "equal" or "equally," and voc- or vox, meaning "voice." The verb "equivocate" was first used in English in 1590, the late Middle English period, (in the sense ‘use a word in more than one sense’). The noun "equivocation" was first used in 1609, In its various scenes of equivocation in the kingdom of Scotland, Shakespeare's "Macbeth" draws attention to how equivocation, like speech in general, can lead to the mutual conception of truth or the con- cealment of it. Examples of "equivocation" used in a sentence: "The applicant seemed to be equivocating when we asked him about his last job." "When asked about her tax plan, the candidate didn't equivocate." "The politician tried to equivocate when asked about his tax policy, dodging direct answers." "I wish he wouldn't equivocate about this issue and instead give me a straight answer." "As was his habit, he would only equivocate about the topic." "She won't do anything but equivocate about her plans for next weekend."

Mr. Weinerdog, you may be reading more into that first comment than was intended. It's just that Mac hasn't been able to be there, at least as far as Preston was concerned, so when Mac had the chance to go as himself, he did, so Preston wouldn't think he was avoiding him. No, Gramps and Pops have always been generous. Remember, they found a MASSIVE treasure, and then through shrewd investments and splitting the wealth between the two of them and Aaron, there's been plenty to go around. The treasure they found in the cave they've already said would be for Devin and Mac alone. 😁 Well, whenever they're doing it with Clint, Louella won't be anywhere around. However, if she somehow found out about it, then I'm sure she would raise holy hell. 😲 I'll just respond to that comment by saying, the names have been changed to protect the not so innocent. 🤪

I add little nuggets like that from time to time. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Chapter 9 – Football and Doctors Now that classes had started, Devin and I fell into a pattern where our non-academic activities were concerned. We would go to the dog park on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and I would transition into Devin so Devin could get some exercise as Bear. Then on Tuesday and Thursday we’d wait and go in the afternoon or early evening instead, whichever worked best with our class schedules and other activities. The weekend had a fairly consistent

In a "Battle Royal" scenario, the outcome of a spider versus praying mantis showdown is difficult to predict definitively, as it depends on several factors. While a spider might initially have an advantage with its web trapping, a mantis's strength and hunting tactics could give it the upper hand. Ultimately, the victor could be determined by the specific species involved, their individual size and strength, and the environment of the encounter. Elaboration: Spider's Advantages: Spiders, particularly those that construct webs, can use their sticky webs to trap prey, like praying mantises. This trapping method can be effective in immobilizing the mantis, allowing the spider to subdue it. Some spiders also possess venom, which can paralyze or kill prey. Praying Mantis's Advantages: Praying mantises are ambush predators with remarkable speed and agility. They can strike with great force and their exoskeletons offer significant protection. They are also capable of escaping from spider webs. Factors Influencing the Outcome: The size and strength of both the spider and mantis can significantly impact the battle. The specific species involved (e.g., a large huntsman spider vs. a smaller praying mantis) can also influence the outcome. The environment where the encounter takes place can also affect the strategy and tactics of each combatant. For example, a mantis might have an advantage if it can use camouflage to ambush the spider. Possible Scenarios: Spider's Trap: A spider with a strong web might be able to ensnare the mantis, leading to a spider victory. Mantis's Attack: If the mantis can find a way to escape the web or outmaneuver the spider, it could attack and overpower the arachnid. Venom's Effect: The spider's venom might be effective in paralyzing the mantis, but the mantis's resilience and strength could allow it to resist. Size and Strength: A larger, more powerful mantis might be able to overcome a smaller spider. In summary, the outcome of a spider vs. praying mantis battle is not predetermined and depends on the specifics of the encounter.

The word dilemma origninates from Ancient Greek and Latin, meaning "a difficult choice or problem." It's derived from the Greek word "δίλημμα" (dílēmma), which translates to "double proposition." This Greek word is a combination of "δι-", meaning "two" or "double," and "λῆμμα", meaning "premise" or proposition". Initially, it was a term in logic, referring to a specific type of argument with two conditional statements, but it evolved to describe any situation involving a difficult choice between equally undesirable options. The word "dilemma" first appeared in English in the early 16th century, around 1523. By the end of the 16th century, the word's meaning began to broaden, encompassing any difficult choice of situation. Today, "dilemma" is commonly used to describe a situation where a difficult choice must be made, even if the options are not necessarily equally undesirable. Example of "dilemma" in a sentence: "Jonathan was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return home after the argument." "Emily was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to report her colleague for embezzling money from the company." "Some people often face the dilemma of feeding themselves or their cattle during times of great hardship." "The dilemma, like all ethical dilemmas, arose by virtue of a conflict between values." "He made an attempt to resolve the long-standing dilemma." "The new school rules have put counselors in a terrible dilemma." "Prodding Martha to talk out her dilemma helped, didn't it?" "After overcoming that dilemma, I think our friendship is stronger."

I remember watching this on a cartoon show when I was in elementary school in the 50s, and it's still as fascinating as it was then.