[lit-ideas] blessings, shoes, and language
- From: JulieReneB@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 05:06:41 EDT
_http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/27/dems.obama/index.html_
(http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/27/dems.obama/index.html)
I'm curious about the African word for "blessing". In Hebrew, "Baruch"
means "blessing" or "blessed" (depending on the vocalisation). <<"They would
give me an African name, Barack, or 'blessed,' believing that in a tolerant
America your name is no barrier to success," he said.>> It's too close,
considering that Hebrew words are mostly based on a three-consonant system
(brk means
blessing, blessed, I will bless, he blessed, etc., depending on the vowels
interjected among the consonants) and I wonder about the etymological ties
between African languages and semitic.
Then I'm curious why "shoo in" which makes me wonder what a "shoo-in" (I
usually shoo out flies) would be like. I've often used the phrase but never
thought to spell it out. (I think I've always pictured it as "shoe", though,
which makes no more sense.)
<<He appears to be a shoo-in for the U.S. Senate after his Republican
challenger, Jack Ryan, bowed out of the race in June amid allegations he took
his
wife to sex clubs>>
Finally, I wish I'd seen the guy. From what I've read, I think I could
really like him as a political figure.
Julie Krueger
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