Once I was telling a friend that I really like urban environments. Also rural environments. And natural environments. She said "I think you just like environments." So my answer is d) all of the above.
When I used to tutor high school students, we used a Socratic style of discussion and our favorite saying was "the rabbit trail IS the point". It was always fun to see them think they were essentially filibustering my lesson plan, and then to find our rabbit trails leading to some really deep discussions that usually came back to our topic. Thanks for this delightful rabbit trial, Jonathan.
Just wanted to say how deeply satisfying and enjoyable I find your weekly newsletter! Thank you so much for making it freely available. It is a delightful little adventure and I never know what I’m going to learn or be provoked to think about.
Though not concerning word entomology, I experienced a similar chain of questioning about a poet recently. I started down a Gerard Manley Hopkins rabbit hole. I knew almost nothing about him except that he was a poet and came across his poem Kingfishers Catch Fire three times in a week. That set me to wondering about his life and associations. I eventually googled some of the relevant questions, but I enjoyed thinking it over first and I was pleased that I worked out part of his biography before looking anything up.
I have an British friend who never fails to give me pause when she refers to the "boot" of her car. Loving word rabbit holes, I kind of wondered, pairing the word to the act to "boot" someone out, that "boot" has something to do with the backside of something, which does refer back to the direction you wished to avoid. But hey, you didn't say, "Don't think of a brown cow". Anyhow, I would boot my buddy out so I could fill my boot with all the boot. But that 1st "boot" has more to do with footwear landing on the backside...
Very much enjoyed this rabbit hole you went down! As a Canadian, the word “buddy” is used in many ways to refer to someone instead of using their name. Maybe we know the name, maybe we don’t. There are some funny reels/TikTok on this, but one way I know I use it is if someone speeds by me, I’ll comment, “Buddy must be in a real hurry!”
"Booty fellow" is a solid option if "Habitue'" loses its luster.
Podcast Listener Poll: Since Jonathan was not given a chance to answer Ben's new-and-improved podcast finale, how do we imagine JR might've answered?
a) Warner Robins
b) Okefenokee swamp
c) Walmart parking lot
d) all of the above
Once I was telling a friend that I really like urban environments. Also rural environments. And natural environments. She said "I think you just like environments." So my answer is d) all of the above.
When I used to tutor high school students, we used a Socratic style of discussion and our favorite saying was "the rabbit trail IS the point". It was always fun to see them think they were essentially filibustering my lesson plan, and then to find our rabbit trails leading to some really deep discussions that usually came back to our topic. Thanks for this delightful rabbit trial, Jonathan.
Just wanted to say how deeply satisfying and enjoyable I find your weekly newsletter! Thank you so much for making it freely available. It is a delightful little adventure and I never know what I’m going to learn or be provoked to think about.
Though not concerning word entomology, I experienced a similar chain of questioning about a poet recently. I started down a Gerard Manley Hopkins rabbit hole. I knew almost nothing about him except that he was a poet and came across his poem Kingfishers Catch Fire three times in a week. That set me to wondering about his life and associations. I eventually googled some of the relevant questions, but I enjoyed thinking it over first and I was pleased that I worked out part of his biography before looking anything up.
I have an British friend who never fails to give me pause when she refers to the "boot" of her car. Loving word rabbit holes, I kind of wondered, pairing the word to the act to "boot" someone out, that "boot" has something to do with the backside of something, which does refer back to the direction you wished to avoid. But hey, you didn't say, "Don't think of a brown cow". Anyhow, I would boot my buddy out so I could fill my boot with all the boot. But that 1st "boot" has more to do with footwear landing on the backside...
Very much enjoyed this rabbit hole you went down! As a Canadian, the word “buddy” is used in many ways to refer to someone instead of using their name. Maybe we know the name, maybe we don’t. There are some funny reels/TikTok on this, but one way I know I use it is if someone speeds by me, I’ll comment, “Buddy must be in a real hurry!”
I love knowing I am not the only one who enjoys going down rabbit holes---both the wondering kind and the OED kind. Thank you for sharing this!!!
Thank you, especially for the comments about the value of wondering (not only valuable, but plain ol' fun sometimes) and the essay excerpt.
Thoroughly enjoyed! Also, great use of the word "ilk"!