“teats” is a real word?
On our way to the fabulous feed described in my last post, Jude and I stopped at a nearby
dairy farm and secured five barrels we will use as floats for a dock in the pond. Here they
are safely home.
According to the labels on the barrels, they originally contained “Pre & Post Antiseptic Teat
Dip”; or, as they say in France, “Bain de Trayons Antiseptique pour Avant et Apres la Traite”.
Leave it to the romantic French to make it sound sexier.
This was a real coup for us. Not only are we recycling some plastic for the long term, I found
out that “teats” is a real word. I had been lazying under the misconception that it was slang.
I thought that “tits” was the common medical term for breasts, and “breasts” was the formal
term used in presentations at professional conferences.
To me, “teats” was in the neighbourhood of “booger” and “poop” as slang. It sound weirder
than “tits”, for sure, and thus more entertaining. And that’s the way we learn. Just when we
think we have a mot of knowledge tacked down, it gets challenged and changed.
So my education, despite strident resistance on my part at times, continues. Poop.
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Anchor Struck 
…or popo, as the French would say.
Hmmm. That doesn’t sound any sexier than “poop”.
Allen, what a laugh! These slang words for sensitive body parts and functions continue to fascinate us. A few years ago, I read the book Ulysses by James Joyce and listened to an audio recording of the book. One part was where the main protagonist cooked up some kidneys for breakfast. The reader’s pronunciation still makes me giggle: the fried kidneys had a “faint scent of urine”–and urine rhymed with wine. So appetizing.
Julie
The energy that humans can invest in a single word is astounding. The Romney campaign and its surrogates are going nuttier over a poorly-worded statement by Obama recently. POTUS was trying to say that businesses succeed because of roads that they didn’t build, but the Right has twisted it into a smackdown of capitalism. The only thing amusing about this fraud is watching Romney feign outrage.
Romney is so funny! How anybody thinks he will ever get anything right is beyond me, but yesterday I laughed so hard. He said this: (I’ll copy it from the BBC site) (referring to the Olympics being held in London and mentioning the address of the British parliament on Downing Street)
“To look out of the back side of 10 Downing Street and see a venue having been constructed, knowing that athletes will be carrying out their activities almost in the back yard of the prime minister is really quite an accomplishment,” said Mr Romney.
Looking out of the back side? Ew. Why not use the proper term, anus? Still laughing, Also recognizing your worry about the coming US election.
Julie
With his cluelessness and constant gaffes, the Mittster always seems to be looking out his back side. He started his international good will tour by insulting the first nation on his stops. I appreciate you feeling my pain about the election, Julie. But if the U.S. actually chooses a man who embodies the seaminess of capitalism, I’ll have to accept that the country is really just a kleptocracy with diminishing democratic features.
Allen,
And it’s not just me feeling your pain. I am also concerned about the next leadership of the US, as it does affect us all. George Bush did so much in those eight years which negatively affected not only his own people but the rest of the world too. The economic problems existing now are because of Bush’s policies period. My opinion only.
Lots of issues are interesting. But I’ll mention one thing only. Obama was behind the killing of Bin Laden. Doing so did not cost him the lives of thousands of soldiers as Bush’s wars on terror have done. This is not a nice subject, killing people, but Obama had it done efficiently without harming a lot of Americans in the process. I would think Americans would be thankful their sons and daughters didn’t die, but still achieved a victory. Not that Obama’s perfect, but Isn’t it good having a president that has a brain and knows how to use it?
Julie
Oh yeah I should clarify, I meant the economic problems in the US were caused by Bush. Of course the world economy is hugely complicated, I don’t claim to understand it.
Julie
Hi, Julie. I apologize for my tardy response. Even though the U.S. economy plummeted under Bush, it took the cooperation of the Democrats. Clinton repealed the Glass-Stegall Act in 1999. My knowledge of economics is rudimentary at best, but I’m fairly sure that it’s bad policy to set deadlines for fiscal responsibility and then try to stop time. I agree that Obama’s handling of terrorism has been sound overall, and it gives the Right fits because they can’t find much to pick at there.
Hi, Allen.
Thanks for the correction. These things are never simple, and no leader is ever perfect.
What seems important is that the Americans “get it right” this time, as an out-of-touch rich far-right leader in the U.S. will further harm the middle class, and there is no room for that now.
People should examine very closely how Romney made his money. Can he prove, using his track record, that he can and will create jobs for ordinary people? Is he there to serve the people, or just himself and the 1%? A genuinely worthy politician is one who is dedicated to a life of serving his fellow human beings, who would make personal sacrifices for the common good. Does this sound like anyone who is running?
Julie
After living in the states nearly 60 years, I abandoned the idea that voters will ever get it right. The two major parties offer similar presidential candidates with rhetorical differences, but either one has to deal with a dysfunctional Congress, many members of which are stubborn ideologues. Even as much as I supported Obama, I knew he’d disappoint. Still, I see him as a clearly better choice than Romney, your basic empty suit.
I think the Dems will continue to get mileage from Mitt’s refusal to release tax returns — a practice started by his father George 40 years ago, oddly. There’s plenty of solid concern that Mitt is in fact one of those rich guys who pay little or no income taxes. I regret that true national issues get neglected in the scuffle, but negative ads work. Obama has regained his lead in several swing states.
Of course Obama was a disappointment, the hopes were so very high, nobody could live up to that. Your assessment of how it goes in US politics seems very true.
You must think I have nothing to do but meditate on politics, well, this summer I have time off, and I just spent the day rereading a favourite book, Kitchen, by Banana Yoshimoto, and some poetry by Margaret Atwood, and just looked up a recipe on the internet for ginger and lemongrass shrimp, that’s for supper. Listening to an old Tom Waits album, grapefruit moon, sad lovely old song. My son who will soon be 20 and will be away to university soon, said “Tom Waits, that’s a generational divide that can never be crossed.”
So that’s my day. I was sorry to hear about your dog vs. chilcken problems. Nature can truly be a real bitch.
Julie
I can appreciate that you’re a lady of leisure, if only for one season. Enjoy. When your son leaves, will that empty the nest?
Yeah, Hubby and I just have the one son. He was away at university last year too. When he turns 20, I turn 60 soon afterwards. As to leisure, I talk to my sisters and friends on the phone for hours, and I love frittering away unstructured time, in the garden or going for a walk or bicycle ride. Was in a kayak on Sunday, that was wonderful!
But everything here at home needs fixing or painting so I am trying to get things done too. I like writing poetry, studying politics, reading, but the concept of housework kind of mystifies me as it needs doing again a short time later.
I wonder what’s on the other side of 60!! Does the body just turn to dust on the day a person has her sixtieth birthday?! Freaking out, but also sensing greater freedom on the far horizon.
Julie
You’ll do fine in your 60’s. I’m learning that it’s the prime of life emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. Physically, not so much. But I’m learning how to use my energy more efficiently, and letting go of activities I simply can’t do well anymore — like standing for six straight hours flagging traffic. Also, on your 60th birthday, wisdom starts flowing over and through you like Angel Falls.
Wow, I hope so. Thanks.
Julie
You’re welcome.