To me, Middlesex is the title of a book written by Jeffrey Eugenides, but I wanted to know where the word itself came from. In the book, Middlesex is the name of a Detroit suburb where the family of the main character (Cal Stephanides) lives.
It is also used in reference to Cal’s sexuality and gender. Born as a genetic male who appeared female, Cal is raised as Callie. When Cal/Callie reaches puberty, however, it becomes clear that she isn’t like other girls her age and decides to live as a male. The term “Middlesex” in this book is best used to describe someone who lives “betwixt and between”.
After doing a little research, I found that Middlesex was also the name of a historic county of England. Southern England was divided into four Saxon tribes: Wessex (West Saxons), Sussex (South Saxons), Essex (East Saxons) and Middlesex (the central Saxons). Of course, the British had no intention of implying the “sex” suffix of the word as anything sexual.
Eugenides play on the word is entertaining and works well for his book. I wonder if there are others who have used the word “Middlesex” in this way and whether or not this was before or after Eugenides’ use. I wasn’t able to find much, but if you have any input, feel free to post it here.
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Friday, January 1, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Picking dingleberries
As with most slang terms, the word “dingleberry” cannot be found in standard dictionaries (and also appears as a misspelled word in Microsoft Word). But the Internet provides some interesting information, including possible origins as well as advice on how to prevent “dingleberries” from forming in the first place.
For the uninitiated,
A clever contributor to Urbandictionary.com also offered the definition of “dingleberry” in Star Trek terms as “a Klingon near Uranus.” Another definition of “dingleberry” is “an incompetent, foolish, or stupid person”.
From The Poop Report, we learn that “dingleberries” can be dealt with in a number of ways. The simplest would be to wipe thoroughly after going No.2, preferably with a good quality toilet paper. If the “dingleberries” are especially troublesome, the inflicted may also choose to wipe with a wet wipe or even resort to waxing excess anal hair.
Other terms for “dingleberry” include “dangleberry” (Irish), “dag” (Australian), and “clinker” (English).
One theory regarding the origins of the word “dingleberry” arises from a contemporary of Albert Einstein, the English astrophysicist Herbert Dingle. According to this theory, Dingle coined the term after relieving himself outdoors on a camping trip. Showing his friends the little poop ball hanging from his butt, he remarked on how much it resembled a berry. (See Workpoop.com and Know Your Poop).
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Definitions
Urbandictionary.com
The Free Dictionary
Everything2
Origins and Interesting Info
WorkPoop.com
Know Your Poop
Anecdotes and Advice
The Poop Report
For the uninitiated,
a “dingleberry” is a small clump of feces with or without the inclusion of toilet paper that clings to anal hair.These specimens can be found on humans and animals alike, although humans are the only ones that seem preoccupied with getting rid of them.
A clever contributor to Urbandictionary.com also offered the definition of “dingleberry” in Star Trek terms as “a Klingon near Uranus.” Another definition of “dingleberry” is “an incompetent, foolish, or stupid person”.
From The Poop Report, we learn that “dingleberries” can be dealt with in a number of ways. The simplest would be to wipe thoroughly after going No.2, preferably with a good quality toilet paper. If the “dingleberries” are especially troublesome, the inflicted may also choose to wipe with a wet wipe or even resort to waxing excess anal hair.
Other terms for “dingleberry” include “dangleberry” (Irish), “dag” (Australian), and “clinker” (English).
One theory regarding the origins of the word “dingleberry” arises from a contemporary of Albert Einstein, the English astrophysicist Herbert Dingle. According to this theory, Dingle coined the term after relieving himself outdoors on a camping trip. Showing his friends the little poop ball hanging from his butt, he remarked on how much it resembled a berry. (See Workpoop.com and Know Your Poop).
Related Links
Definitions
Urbandictionary.com
The Free Dictionary
Everything2
Origins and Interesting Info
WorkPoop.com
Know Your Poop
Anecdotes and Advice
The Poop Report
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Stand still! The solstice is here!
December 21 marks the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year. Sounds depressing, but the good news is that from here on out, the days will be getting gradually longer and longer and the nights will get shorter. So in honor of this occasion, I decided to do some digging into the meaning of the word “solstice.”
First used in approximately 1250, the word “solstice” derives from Old French, Latin, Middle English and Indo-European roots. Literally, it means "point at which the sun seems to stand still." Without reference to the movement of the sun, it can also be used to mean "a highest point or culmination."
Earlier manifestations of the word “solstice” were “solstitium” (Latin), “solsticy” (Middle English), “solsticio” (Portuguese) and “solstizio” (Italian).
Although Americans tend to think of the Winter Solstice as the beginning of winter, that was not always the case in other parts of the world. In fact, the Summer Soltice was once known in many places as Midsummer.
So, I foolishly mark this solstice as the middle of my winter. May the snow melt and the flowers grow!
Related Links
Online Etymology Dictionary: solstice
Wiktionary: solstice
Neology: Jed Hartman’s words-and-wordplay blog
Wordnik: solstice
Webster’s Online Dictionary: solstice
Wikipedia: winter solstice
Answers.com: solstice
Infoplease: Winter Solstice
eHow: What does the word solstice mean?
First used in approximately 1250, the word “solstice” derives from Old French, Latin, Middle English and Indo-European roots. Literally, it means "point at which the sun seems to stand still." Without reference to the movement of the sun, it can also be used to mean "a highest point or culmination."
Earlier manifestations of the word “solstice” were “solstitium” (Latin), “solsticy” (Middle English), “solsticio” (Portuguese) and “solstizio” (Italian).
The peculiar thing about the solstice is that the sun does seem to stand still.Appearing at the lowest point in the sky, the sun stays along the horizon instead of arcing overhead at noontime. This visual phenomenon occurs for several days before, during, and after the solstice. This occurs because the tilt of the Earth’s equator is at its zenith on the solstice.
Although Americans tend to think of the Winter Solstice as the beginning of winter, that was not always the case in other parts of the world. In fact, the Summer Soltice was once known in many places as Midsummer.
So, I foolishly mark this solstice as the middle of my winter. May the snow melt and the flowers grow!
Related Links
Online Etymology Dictionary: solstice
Wiktionary: solstice
Neology: Jed Hartman’s words-and-wordplay blog
Wordnik: solstice
Webster’s Online Dictionary: solstice
Wikipedia: winter solstice
Answers.com: solstice
Infoplease: Winter Solstice
eHow: What does the word solstice mean?
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