An Anniversary Jubilee

While it has seemed to me to be but the merest blink of an eye from whence I began this Web-Log, perusal of my date book has revealed to me that over one whole series of lunar rhythms has since passed, days spiraling logarithmically into the the halls of time. Examination of my semblance in reflecting-glasses shows little evidence of the passage of time other than a certain new-grown shaggy-ness in and about my hair and a perhaps perceptible added degree of weariness to the dark bags under my eyes, yet as I peer out of the window of my study I can see by the now omni-present mobs of Gang-Bangers and Roust-a-Bouts lounging in informal ellipses about stoops and corners that Spring-Time has officially Sprung. I can't help but berate myself over all of the essays begun but not yet finished, or finished but not yet polished, that have accumulated in that now noted passage of time such as Gravure and Foxing, the Wasp Gun, Pornographic Daguerrotypes, the Relationship Between Curry and Combinatorics, Famed Crucifixions, the Quaternion-Vector War, Paraprosdokian, Excerpts From Hoyles Beloved "Rules of Games," and Baby Manipulation for Fun and Profit, but I can always return warmth to my heart by poring over those writings refined enough to "make the cut," so to speak, on subjects as varied as Inappropriately Placed Flowers, Eggcorns and Their Ilk, Moss Piglets, Sex Hair, Diversions of Ramanujan, Pugilistic Appellations, Tittles, Wynn and Yogh Tagas the Conductor, and many more.

In honor of this anniversary I shall return like, much like ouroborous the world serpent, to the tome who's excerpts first inspired this web-log, the ever delightful and questionable reliable "Why We Say It." Let your gaze pass o'er these edifying snippets to help soothe the passing of time as minds turn to enterprises of a week-enderly nature.

Toady. What is the original of the term "toady"?
The original "toady" was the magician's assistant who ate toads so that his master could demonstrate his magical healing powers-since at one time toads were considered poisonous. Th other duties of the "toad-eater" were very much like those of the "yes-man" of today-to prove the boss right-and so we got the word and its meaning.

Welsh Rabbit. What is the reason we call a dish made of cheese "Welsh Rabbit"?
The term is humorous. The Welsh were supposed to be so poverty-stricken that they could not afford even rabbit meat but had to substitute cheese for it.

Drunk as a Fiddler. What is the reason we use the phrase "Drunk as a Fiddler"?
The expression refers to the fiddler at wakes and weddings whose fee was often set at "all the liquor you can hold." In order to get his full fee it was necessary for him to drink long and often.

Amuck. Where did we get the phrase "running amuck"?
From Malaya. Malays under the influence of opium or a stimulant sometimes become very excited-so excited that they rush about with daggers, killing anyone they chance to meet and yelling, Amoq! Amoq!-meaning "Kill! Kill!"

May thine week-end bless thee with fruitfulness.