Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian


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Obscure words explained 82 – abracadabra

I have written three versions of this word because it is very complicated to explain in 17 syllables.

ABRACADABRA – Ab’r achad ab’ra (Aramaic and/or Arabic origin

1.Concerning the bull

it’s  the one and only one

a name for the sun

2. Used by magicians

to perform their magic tricks

a magical spell

3. A magical spell

inscribed on an amulet

to cure deadly ills

For those readers with a mind to do so, I hope you ask yourself the question: is there such a thing as magic?  Sir James George Frazer in his book the Golden Bough thought so.

He explained that contagious and homeopathic magic (both generally referred to as sympathetic magic) were valid and practiced throughout the world in one form or another. This magic (these magics) basically formed the basis of our religions.

I have always wanted to throw the cat among the pigeons Ah yes! it’s a full moon.

 


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Unusual U.K. place names 69. = Trewhiddle

TREWHIDDLE, Cornwall

Francis P. Pascoe

noted entomologist

studied beetles here


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Obscure words explained 75. – morpheme

MORPHEME

Smallest meaningful

unit in any language

sometimes a root word


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Obscure words explained 74. – thersitical

THERSITICAL

Scurrilous, foul-mouthed

words have  beauty all their own.

I say, bite your tongue


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Obscure words explained 84. – toponym

TOPONYM

Word for a place name

Especially one derived

from local features

 


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Obscure words explained 83. – plethoric

PLETHORIC

Such as pompous speech

by the man who would be king

Turgid, inflated.


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Obsure words explained79. – philippic

PHILIPPIC

Searing critical

speech, like we hear about Trump.

Weary of his lies!


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Obscure words explained 77. – fictile

FICTILE

Of or relating

to pottery, baked thrown clay

painted and then glazed.


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Obscure words explained 76. – sagacious

SAGACIOUS

Acute mental strength

Keen practical sense, shrewdness

Wise beyond belief