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 62. – Petty France

PETTY FRANCE, Gloucestershire

Not remrkable

not much history to tell

not written, that is.


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A departure

As a departure from my usual scribblings about unusual U.K. place names and Obscure words, I thought it might be useful to write something about my philosophical point of view.
I suppose my motive is to be better understood by the casual reader. For those of you who follow my blog, I am grateful and for those of you who add personal insight through your comments, I am uplifted and inspired.
A cynic or was is a psychotherapist recently wrote that the reason people blog is that they want, desire, crave attention. I am not sure that I can accept this; since I view blogging to be more of a means to communicate intelligent information and dare, I say spark interaction with random people in the blogging universe.
We are I believe living in desperate times.
As a citizen and resident of the United States I fear for the country. Of which I am a naturalized citizen, but I now have doubts.
I am living in what is referred to as “my Autumn years”. I had great expectations but, sadly I am disillusioned. I find myself living in a country teetering on the edge of collapse because of a narcissistic corrupt president who does not understand the necessity to follow the rule of law and to act in a dignified manner when representing his country.
My alternatives are many but, the most natural would be to return to my homeland The United Kingdom of Great Britain. However, there is political upheaval there too; for which I have no comment as I am ignorant of all the facts.
Suffice it to say, I’ m in pain. I feel saddened and frustrated by the state of world affairs for which I have no solution and see no speedy resolution.
What has happened to reason? Why is it that people no longer seem to be thinking rationally?
Well, I’ll leave that up to you to answer. Thank you


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Unusual U.K. place names 47. – Old Sarum

OLD SARUM, Wiltshire

Iron age hill fort

Hunters then farmers lived here

Settled since B.C.


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Unusual U.K. place names32. – Botus Fleming

BOTUS FLEMING, Cornwall

Near the Tamar River

Former Stoke-Flemings’ Manor

It’s close to Saltash


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Obscure words explained 72. – oneiric

ONEIRIC

Relating to dreams.

Greek Oneiros, God of dreams.

See you as I sleep!


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Unusual U.K. place names 30. – Wychbold Salwarpe

WYCHBOLD SALWARPE, Worcestershire

Salwarpe called Salop

Battlefield and  Spadesbourne

where the rivers join


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Unusual U.K. place names29. _ Droitwich Spa

DROITWICH (SPA), Worcestershire

Famous for its salt

Romans named it Salinae

On River Salwarpe


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Other words explained 1. – Recorder

RECORDER

Internal duct flute*

in the group of instruments

well known as Woodwinds

* Internal Duct flute: A flute with a whistle also referred to as “fipple mouthed”


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Unusual U.K. place names 26. – Bishop’s Stortford

BISHOP’S STORTFORD, Hertfordshire

An historic town

at a  ford crossing the Stort

river flowing through