What a Friggin' Nerd am I...
Yes, I'm very happy that I received an "A" on one midterm, in the class that really scared me (Reference Services), for which we had to find answers to research questions using both online and print sources. I slaved over that project, crawling through the reference section of not only St. Kate's library, but the downtown Minneapolis Public Library (which is a central repository) and the University of Minnesota's Walter and Wilson libraries as well. (Walter is the science, mathematics, and technology library - visit it if you can, for it's been restored, and has beautiful woodwork and high plaster ceilings.)
But here is one of the things that I'm really proud of (gloating to come): For the question that asked for the etymology of the word "doh," in addition to finding a use of the word as an exclamation (on a radio program in 1947), and the first English use of the word to mean a musical tone in the mid-18th century, I scanned the novel Day of the Locust by Nathanael West to see if the term appeared in there. Why? Because I knew that there was a character called Homer Simpson in the novel.
Nerdy, nerdy, nerdy! Well, the word "doh" isn't in the novel, but nevertheless I put down my effort to search the novel in my answer, and the professor placed an exclamation point next to it. When I mentioned it in class, everyone sat there like I was from outer space. I have no idea whether or not the creators of The Simpsons took the name "Homer Simpson" from West's novel. Does anyone out there know?
(I'd research it myself, but now I've got a bunch of questions to work on for the final, plus another midterm. Gaaaa. The Galapagos are calling me...two more months...)
But here is one of the things that I'm really proud of (gloating to come): For the question that asked for the etymology of the word "doh," in addition to finding a use of the word as an exclamation (on a radio program in 1947), and the first English use of the word to mean a musical tone in the mid-18th century, I scanned the novel Day of the Locust by Nathanael West to see if the term appeared in there. Why? Because I knew that there was a character called Homer Simpson in the novel.
Nerdy, nerdy, nerdy! Well, the word "doh" isn't in the novel, but nevertheless I put down my effort to search the novel in my answer, and the professor placed an exclamation point next to it. When I mentioned it in class, everyone sat there like I was from outer space. I have no idea whether or not the creators of The Simpsons took the name "Homer Simpson" from West's novel. Does anyone out there know?
(I'd research it myself, but now I've got a bunch of questions to work on for the final, plus another midterm. Gaaaa. The Galapagos are calling me...two more months...)
Labels: lipstick librarianship, literature, nerdiness
posted by Kristine | Tuesday, March 06, 2007
24 Comments:
way cool! i love nerdy stuff and a delight in etymology is one of my secret sins.
congrats on the A.
tzjign: tazer the djinn
Thank you! Etymology is not one of my specialties, but I did some work for Anatoly Liberman, a U of M professor and language scholar who is compiling an encyclopedia of the origin of English words (that was a long time ago - I don't know if he's completed it).
I have no idea whether or not the creators of The Simpsons took the name "Homer Simpson" from West's novel. Does anyone out there know?
Nope. Matt Groening's dad was named Homer.
I often refer to F's as one-legged A's. Does it logically follow that an A is a two-legged F?
Scotius
Interesting. But how about "Simpson"?
I suppose it could be a total coincidence, just as there's a gazillion John Smiths or Richard Andersons out there.
I often refer to F's as one-legged A's. Does it logically follow that an A is a two-legged F?
Only if you assume that because a pirate has one leg, a man with two legs is necessarily a two-legged pirate.
(Did I pass?) ;-)
An "A"? I kind of knew you were smart though... Reason for the post - Shelley at Retrospectacle /a ScienceBlog, is asking for links, and I think you two are a good match... and no, not like Janie and her friend...
So, if you are interested, send her a link to your blog!
JD
Hey, thanks, J-Dog. I'll send her the mother ship and the triumvirate.
My given name Scott is derived from an ancient Irish root word meaning "raider, plunderer, bandit," or "pirate."
I have two legs.
Scotius
So I flunked? :-( Haha.
In spite of the derivation of my name, I am not a pirate. My recent ancestors were farmers. This is more in keeping with my first name, the one I don't go by.
Scotius
In spite of the derivation of my name, I am not a pirate. My recent ancestors were farmers. This is more in keeping with my first name, the one I don't go by.
Scotius
Sure, Gregory. You go with that.
Dangit.
George, not Gregory.
Yeah, Dan, Gregory is a shepherd. I neither confirm nor deny that my first name is George. It could be derived from a Celtic word for farmer, or an Albanian word, or Algonquin.
Scotius
Wow. I genuflect in the glow of your nerdiness.
I got nothing on Dan and Scotius - I'm not familiar with name origins.
If you want to meet a nerd, you should meet John sometime. ;-) Mr. walking Encyclopedia Britannica.
Kristine,
even in my drunken stupor this evening I have to bow to your superior nerdiness.
Kevin
Drunken stupor? Wait a minute! How is everything going?
12:02 am-that's a time good Christians are in bed, hiding from the devil.
As you may know, your name is derived from the word "Christian." Ain't that a laugh? You are as much a Christian as I am a pirate. You probably have Christians in your recent ancestry. My piratical forebears are more distant.
Your surname is Old English for "hare pasture," or "rabbit meadow."
As you may know, your name is derived from the word "Christian." Ain't that a laugh?
I do know. For one thing, when I was fourteen, my pastor (the one I and everyone just adored - great guy) came and had a talk with me about my progress toward confirmation, and he mentioned the etymology of my name. "Christian" means "annointed one," and the Greek word in the scriptures that the KJB usually translates as Messiah is actually "the annointed." I'm pretty sure anyway - a little rusty on this stuff.
You probably have Christians in your recent ancestry. Of course! The rest of my family are Christians except for the occasional atheist (closeted or not).
Your surname is Old English for "hare pasture,"
From the hare pasture - I knew that, too. What is strange is that my father is German. His mother made a big deal of her German heritage; however, I did a little digging (very little) and I wonder if her ancestors didn't spend time in England, or if they were German at all.
I'm not really into geneaology, and it's too bad, because the Mpls Public Library is a good resource for it. They have geneaology workshops on Saturdays and a special reference librarian scheduled then, the subject has become so popular.
"Christian" means "annointed one," and the Greek word in the scriptures that the KJB usually translates as Messiah is actually "the annointed."
And "messiah" is from the Hebrew word "mashiach," meaning "anointed."
It's all the same.
I just took another Internet quiz about religious literacy and it stated that Messiah meant "an accepted leader," i.e., annointed, so yep. But that would imply annointed by the people rather than a divine source. Interesting.
And I aced that quiz, too.
I've seen any number of people "well oiled" after a night at the pub.
Scotius
Now you're talking! :-)
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