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Jun 24, 2011
This week's themeBiblical places that became words in English This week's words golgotha laodicean calvary babel aceldama This week's comments AWADmail 469 Next week's theme Eponyms Discuss Feedback RSS/XML A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Gargaceldama
PRONUNCIATION:
(uh-SEL-duh-muh)
MEANING:
noun: A place of bloodshed.
ETYMOLOGY:
The term is derived from the name Aceldama, a potter's field
described in the New Testament.
It was purchased by the priests with the money Judas Iscariot received for
betraying Jesus. From Greek Akeldama, from Aramaic haqeldema (field of blood).
Earliest documented use: 1382.
USAGE:
"Mickelsson describes Philosophy Department as a 'treacherous,
ego-bloated, murder-stained hovel.' Ah, the groves of aceldama!"Margaret Manning; Book Review; Boston Globe; May 30, 1982. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (1934-1996)
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