Heartland

ryan_w_0000 wrote:seems like big si's posts are the only thing keeping this topic intresting

SYCOPHANT

What is the origin of sycophant? The only meaning I have is someone who shows a fig.

That's the English translation of the original classical Greek word sukophantes, which comes from sukon, a fig, and phainein, to show. The Greek word meant an informer, or a false accuser, but the association with figs is less than obvious.

One theory has it that it relates to a period when the exportation of figs from ancient Athens was prohibited by law, something we know about from the writings of Plutarch. So the word could refer to somebody who informed on those who broke the law in this way. But there's no evidence and modern scholars dismiss it.

A better explanation is that giving someone the fig is an ancient expression for the obscene gesture of putting the thumb between two fingers. (The word for fig in Greek, Italian, English and other languages has long been a low slang term for the female genitals, from a supposed resemblance.) It could be that the Greek word referred to the action of an informer figuratively (so to speak) giving the fig to the criminals he informed against.

When sycophant first appeared in English in the sixteenth century it had this original meaning of an informer, but quickly moved through a sense of someone who bears tales to a person of higher status to its modern sense. This the big Oxford English Dictionary explains in one of its better definitions as "A mean, servile, cringing, or abject flatterer; a parasite, toady, lickspittle".

Big Si wrote:

ryan_w_0000 wrote:seems like big si's posts are the only thing keeping this topic intresting

Sycophant!

SYCOPHANT

What is the origin of sycophant? The only meaning I have is someone who shows a fig.

That's the English translation of the original classical Greek word sukophantes, which comes from sukon, a fig, and phainein, to show. The Greek word meant an informer, or a false accuser, but the association with figs is less than obvious.

One theory has it that it relates to a period when the exportation of figs from ancient Athens was prohibited by law, something we know about from the writings of Plutarch. So the word could refer to somebody who informed on those who broke the law in this way. But there's no evidence and modern scholars dismiss it.

A better explanation is that giving someone the fig is an ancient expression for the obscene gesture of putting the thumb between two fingers. (The word for fig in Greek, Italian, English and other languages has long been a low slang term for the female genitals, from a supposed resemblance.) It could be that the Greek word referred to the action of an informer figuratively (so to speak) giving the fig to the criminals he informed against.

When sycophant first appeared in English in the sixteenth century it had this original meaning of an informer, but quickly moved through a sense of someone who bears tales to a person of higher status to its modern sense. This the big Oxford English Dictionary explains in one of its better definitions as "A mean, servile, cringing, or abject flatterer; a parasite, toady, lickspittle".

Snub Nose wrote:.....Corppunk's knickers

Sexygoth wrote:

Big Si wrote:

ryan_w_0000 wrote:seems like big si's posts are the only thing keeping this topic intresting

Sycophant!

SYCOPHANT

What is the origin of sycophant? The only meaning I have is someone who shows a fig.

That's the English translation of the original classical Greek word sukophantes, which comes from sukon, a fig, and phainein, to show. The Greek word meant an informer, or a false accuser, but the association with figs is less than obvious.

One theory has it that it relates to a period when the exportation of figs from ancient Athens was prohibited by law, something we know about from the writings of Plutarch. So the word could refer to somebody who informed on those who broke the law in this way. But there's no evidence and modern scholars dismiss it.

A better explanation is that giving someone the fig is an ancient expression for the obscene gesture of putting the thumb between two fingers. (The word for fig in Greek, Italian, English and other languages has long been a low slang term for the female genitals, from a supposed resemblance.) It could be that the Greek word referred to the action of an informer figuratively (so to speak) giving the fig to the criminals he informed against.

When sycophant first appeared in English in the sixteenth century it had this original meaning of an informer, but quickly moved through a sense of someone who bears tales to a person of higher status to its modern sense. This the big Oxford English Dictionary explains in one of its better definitions as "A mean, servile, cringing, or abject flatterer; a parasite, toady, lickspittle".

Doesn't he go on some....

CorpPunk wrote:Black v-neck t-shirt, black cargos, black docs, black watch, white socks (!), and no knickers, cos Snub Nose won't give them back.

Black Dahlia wrote:I am of course wearing Victorian mourning dress and an unfeasibly large hat (see "Kill The King "thread) .


Ooops and Im Gonzoid!

Snub Nose wrote:...just didn't think you were into yellow pants thats all.... roll

d00mw0lf wrote:right now? primark jeans and a tatty black shirt i should have stoped wearing some days ago...

later on i will be wearing my new PVC and fishnet top (too small), the black dress i can't go more than a week without wearing because it looks good with any and everything, plain black fishnets (with holes), pink legwarmers, new rock boots, a spiderweb-lace bow and spangly tiara (from clares) in my hair (backcombed)

Quiff Boy wrote:

d00mw0lf wrote:right now? primark jeans and a tatty black shirt i should have stoped wearing some days ago...

later on i will be wearing my new PVC and fishnet top (too small), the black dress i can't go more than a week without wearing because it looks good with any and everything, plain black fishnets (with holes), pink legwarmers, new rock boots, a spiderweb-lace bow and spangly tiara (from clares) in my hair (backcombed)

quiet night in then?

CorpPunk wrote:

Snub Nose wrote:...just didn't think you were into yellow pants thats all.... roll

Awright, fine, keep 'em. Those were just my house-pants, anyway.

At least now I know to get you a gift voucher for Victoria's Secret on your b-day.

randdebiel² wrote:currently wearing:
I've got my suit on! it's razor sharp! get out of my ay! (copyright sheep on drugs...)
well yeah....I've sort of became a yuppie, not by choice..but company policy here is "3-pieced suits" mine is a dark-grey one by Boss....yeah I know...shoot me!

Sexygoth wrote:

CorpPunk wrote: Awright, fine, keep 'em. Those were just my house-pants, anyway.

House-pants????? You have going out pants then too I take it???