Willow's Weekly Word

With all the inaugural buzz, I wondered about the etymology of the
word. To inaugurate is to get something started. You might wonder
why I posted a picture of birds to go along with this word, but there
is an etymological reason. In ancient Roman times, before you
started something, it was a good idea to check in with the gods.
Rome had official state augurs or forecasters who would advise on
how things bode with the gods. That's where we get the phrase
that something doesn't augur well. Now, to the bird connection.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the source of augur
likely means “bird talk.” The au part is supposed to be related to
the Latin word for “bird” and the gur part a Latin word for
“chatter” that goes back also to Sanskrit. One of the signs these
Roman forecasters would look for, is the behavior of birds; if they
were chirping, how they were flying, what their insides looked like
if you cut them open. If things looked good, after the augur's
evaluation, you could go ahead with plans. So, inaugurate, back in
Latin inaugurare, meant both to look for these omens and then to
act upon them.

So, there you have it, my bloggy friends. Hope this explanation
augurs well with you and that good omens are in store for our

country with this particular inauguration!

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*info from Wikipedia and Podictionary

*painting, Birds in Flight by Elizabeth Bunker

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This morning there was a loud ruckus of chattering going on in the

trees outside my window. Can you see all these birds? It must be a

good omen.

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