JB's new words interactive section

I am currently doing some readings on Shakespear's play, more specifically, Julius Caesar.
It's not very easy even with connotations Confused

Quote:

Cassius: Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
......

What does "grave" mean here?
Tomb? Death? I don't see either of these makes sense.

Quote:

Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
That he is grown so great? Age, thou art shamed!
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
When went there by an age, since the great flood,
But it was famed with more than with one man?

Age How to understand this word in this context?

Thank you Smile

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^JB^,

Shakespeare is difficult even for native English speakers, don't worry.

Grave means burial place in this context. Focus on Colossus.

Age means history here, "the ages".

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Thanks for that Tamer.
I am not worried about that Smile

I understand it's part of the process. Surely I read that and learn those archaic words, expressions etc. not for any practical reason, let alone kill time. I do it because I really find it great, not only with the plays by Shakespear but also many other works by those "old men". So that is why I am simultaneously reading some Plato, and an old Chinese history book about (extremely smart)diplomatical wheeling and dealing 2000 years ago written roughly the at same time with (extremely) weird symbols and meanings.
But I like that :wink: Smile

Some more questions for today Smile

Quote:

The Iranians are likely to raise the stakes at every stage of the process. They have already made it clear they will stop their voluntary submissions to snap inspections by the IAEA if the referral to the Security Council goes through.

1. What is to raise the stakes?
2. How to snap inspections?

Thank you Cool

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Raise the stakes is a term that derives from the betting card game Poker. In order to win the 'pot' and drive the other players out of the game. one must "raise the stakes". or "up the ante"

Snap is an adjective best described by forcing your thumb and middle finger together until the middle finger slips off and makes a "pop" sound against your palm.
That's called "snapping your fingers" It only takes a moment to occur so it describes "snap judgement"[quick decision]..."snap to it"[hurry]...and snap inspection...not commonly found but that's how English evolves.

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As used in the example you give, the term "snap inspections" refers to inspections which are done without advance notice, or in other words, by surprise. The purpose is to have inspections in which there are no preparations and no opportunity to hide anything from inspection.

In the U.S., sometimes "snap" as an adjective is used in secondary schools, in which a teacher may suddenly give a "snap quiz" or "pop quiz". This is a quiz, generally written, in which the students did not know in advance that a quiz would be given.

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(Hey, it's Aa! Hi there!)

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Hi, sozobe!

Have a great New Month's Eve tonight.

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I surely shall. You too!

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Some more Shakespear

Quote:

Cassius: I am glad that my weak words have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus.

When "but"and "thus" are put together, it turns out to be a maze for my understanding.

Quote:

Casca:Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell a-shouting.

1. Why did Casca say "why" at first?
2.Why there is an a hyphenated with "shouting"?

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"but thus" would be an equivelent of "only this" in this context

Cassius: I am glad that my weak words have struck only this much show of fire from Brutus.

"Why" indicates disbelief that such an action (not acceptin the crown) has been taken.

Quote:

Casca:Why, there was a crown offered him; and, being offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus, and then the people fell a-shouting.

2.Why there is an a hyphenated with "shouting"?

"a-" does not affect how the word is interpereted. Shouting and a-shouting means the same thing. It may be a colloquialism (slang) or an affectation (habit, mannerism, quirk, showing off).

The "a-" is poetic, that is, a-shouting sounds nicer than just shouting.

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yeah, ok, sounds nicer.... :wink: Smile

Thank you, dad....pad

And glad to see you here
Smile

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After the treaty of Verdun and Mersen in 9th century, the old Carolingian Empire was divided into two pieces.
Kingdon of Charles, Kingdom of Louis, and Kingdom of Lothair, each corresponded to the present-day France, Germany and Italy, respectively

http://img.tfd.com/wiki/d/d7/843-870_Europe.jpg

Now, there is a little question about the pronounciation
Lothair

Is that "h" pronounced?
Is it " 'lot-her " or " 'loter " or both OK?

btw, I am very curious about how do you see a word which you have definitely never seen before and still can utter a correct pronounciation?

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Hi JB!!

Shakespeare, eh? Well that is hard. a copy of the Shorter Oxford Dictionary might help with all the uses of words you need, because they have the historical meanings too. It's a large book, often used to keep doors open or as a step to reach bookshelves!

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No more dictionaries....I have one for virtually evey room apart from bathroom and kitchen...that's no kidding...

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^JB^ wrote:

Now, there is a little question about the pronounciation
Lothair

Is that "h" pronounced?
Is it " 'lot-her " or " 'loter " or both OK?

Here, it's pronounced "loterre", approaching "lotair".

The "h" is not pronounced.

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Francis wrote:

^JB^ wrote:
Now, there is a little question about the pronounciation
Lothair

Is that "h" pronounced?
Is it " 'lot-her " or " 'loter " or both OK?

Here, it's pronounced "loterre", approaching "lotair".

The "h" is not pronounced.

Thanks Francis.
And about your avatar, still the fransiscal style...
It's good, I love it. Smile

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Quote:

That, combined with spiking health-care costs, is hastening all manner of people off their butts and back into the gym.

What does "butts" mean here?

Thanks

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Hi ^JB^,

Butt is a slang term for the part of the body that we sit on, there are hundreds of euphemisms for that particular area of the human anatomy.
Hope this helps.

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JB-

LT may inadvertently have not given you the full picture.Besides sitting on them there are other possibilities some of which we can all take advantage of and others only the ladies can: and a few men in sophisticated settings.They have been used to make modern art but it isn't to my taste.

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