Dawn

Dawn

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Presidential Politics; Additional Ads; Bawdy Brits; Noxious Nicknames; Dubious Dung; and Word of the Week.

Just before the Toulouse denouement (debacle?), it wasn't at all clear how M Sarkozy was faring in the early days of the French presidential election. One poll had him with a 1% lead over his main rival, M Hollande, but another had the latter extending his lead to 4%. All has now changed, once again proving it's an ill wind that blows no good. Sarkozy has wasted no time in resorting to what some see as gesture politics. He won't care, if they're effective. Plus, he's the only one sleeping with Carla Bruni, who clearly has a pact with the Devil.

Talking of religion . . . The ads around my blog today are no longer of websites for adulterous couples and the like, though they might make a reappearance after I publish the next item. Meanwhile, I'm pretty nonplussed to see this one
YES to the Anglican Covenant: Uniting Anglicans worldwide
www.yestothecovenant.org

What on earth have I done to merit this, other than refer to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury a week or two ago? Google works in mysterious ways, its wonders to perform.

Hang on! It's worse. I've just seen this:-
Justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy
www.aoadvocates.com

Anyway, it's reported today that over a million Brits have signed up to "extramarital websites". Which certainly tells us something. But what?

You'll all remember the recent fuss in England over a Liverpool player calling an opponent 'negrito'. At the time, there was some recognition of the fact that this sounds worse to Anglos than to Spanish speakers. But what are we to make of the fact that Lionel Messi's girlfriend is nicknamed "La Negra"? Clearly, this is affectionate and, presumably, flattering. But how would one render it in English? I'm guessing not "Nigger" but I really need the help of a bi-linguist on this. Or Dwight. Or Jorge. Moscow?

Yesterday I was shopping in a pedestrian precinct in the centre of Leeds when I came cross a pile of horse dung. Which was unexpected. And which left me wondering how came it there. Had there been a riot requiring police attendance? Or had one of the riders strayed from a nearby racecourse? I'll never know.

Finally . . .

Word of the Week: furbelow
1. A ruffle or flounce on a garment.
2. A piece of showy ornamentation.

To furbelow: To decorate with a ruffle or flounce.

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