02.13.04

In the algebra book there are certain exercises highlighted as Aha! problems. We concluded in class yesterday that they didn't deserve ahas as much as pffft or humph. Our teacher suggested that they might be called poppycock problems. Of course I got my geek on. I said,

"That'd be interesting, since poppycock is an Anglicization of the low Dutch pappekak which is soft dung."

Then someone asked where dung came from. (The back of a cow, of course *grin*) I promised to provide an etymology of dung next Tuesday. My classmates are excited about the prospect.

?

Actually, it is interesting. Dung is related to the proto-Indo-European word dhengh meaning covering.

The word refers to the ancient Germanic custom of covering underground shelters with manure to keep in warmth during the winter.

Curse of the logophile strikes again.

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