Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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!
.
*info from Wikipedia and Podictionary
*painting, Birds in Flight by Elizabeth Bunker
.
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.
.

61 comments:

  1. Yes, I am sure the omens are auspicious. Thank you for this lovely tid bit of information, presented as a gift wrapped in lovely paper of flying bird patterns.

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  2. I love etymology. I can't believe I never put these together before now. Thanks!

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  3. Words have meaning. Thank you for expanding our understanding. Plus, whenever you can incorporate birds into conversation, you know it's gotta be good.

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  4. Excellent bit of information. I drink to my president's health and protection! Cheers to Mr. President, and may this year be better than the last.

    -Clay

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  5. Thank you for the elegant and comprehensive definition. And what are the birds doing? Let's hope the new presidency does not end up being "strictly for the birds". I certainly do not believe it will be so, but expectations world-wide are so high, there is bound to be some disappointment, for some people.

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  6. All day I have been wondering who I am and wondering whether to go in search of myself through Blogging, or just see what happens when I start the process (blogging). Popped in to pay you a little visit and you had an answer for me on your page! Thanks Willow, and to Mr George Bernard Shaw. :)

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  7. You always keep it interesting thank you.

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  8. Well researched dear Willow. Indeed I hope it augurs well for your country and the world at

    Should you be longing for roses, there are a dozen two posts down on mine.

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  9. Hope it augurs well for your country and the whole world. Thank you Willow for this, and also for the George Bernard Shaw quote - wonderful!

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  10. Well, we live and learn. I hope the birds are favorable.

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  11. I never in a thousand years would have thought that augur came from two different words. Lovely post. Thanks a lot. I like the word 'augur' but it's a problem for a non-native to say it. Believe me. It just doesn't sound right :-).

    Greetings from London.

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  12. Thanks for that. The derivation of words is so important to the writer, so essential in the choosing of the most fitting word.

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  13. Hello Willow,

    Looks like we're all learning something! We were in California for the Clinton inauguration in 1993. We watched the WHOLE thing on the hotel TV because outside it was raining incessantly - YES, in California!!

    I wish President Obama well.

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  14. Very interesting willow. I send my very sincere wishes that the world is about to change with this inauguration - what a lot rests on this man's shoulders.

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  15. This was great, Willow. Truly fascinating.

    And I join you in hoping that our new president augers well. To President Obama! May he usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for the entire world!

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  16. "The birds have spoken, go ahead on." I will inaugurate my jeep in a little while. I think someone forgot to send the birds out. Things don't augur well. Pappy

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  17. This was all very interesting and informative...although I don't plan on ever cutting any birds open...

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  18. Yes!

    The only noise and hubbub here in DC is bird chatter. It was true yesterday, too. Who knows what they're saying? When the Roman empire fell, the esoteric understanding of bird language fell with them. What a shame!

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  19. great post. so interesting. Hopefully no birds are being cut open to fortell the future.

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  20. Thank you for the beautiful lesson. I am hope-filled;this man has a great burden on his shoulders already. I wish him well.

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  21. Knowing the word history gives even deeper meaning to the event. I hope many birds of peace chatter this week.

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  22. My inner word nerd loves it when you do posts about etymology!

    Next week should be something else, indeed. I live 7 blocks east of the Capitol and have decided to remain in town. DC for all intents and purposes will be under siege, but being here for this historic momemnt is worth that price.

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  23. Sunday morning a friend and I were in Nutty Woods X-C skiing and noticed the trees full of birds (just like your foto) My friend commented that the previous weekend when she was out in the same woods, there were no birds; it was silent. We thought it was beautiful to hear the birdsong, the ruckus! Now I believe it to be a sign of good things to come....

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  25. Hi Willow.......now THERE is a wonderful word...ruckus, much favoured by late father when bringing calm and order to his brood...lol. A very informative blog thank you. I wish your new president well in all things.
    Stay so well.
    Mick - in the county of grinning cats!

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  26. Gosh, the bare trees junkie in me is getting its fix.
    Bare branches/ birds.
    YES.
    You are obviously a fellow word junkie too.
    Do you remember the old Reader's Digest."It pays to increase your word power"?
    Greek and Roman prefixes and roots. My idea of FUN...

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  27. I'll have a cup of Peppermint please...that interview made my stomach quesy. I look forward to seeing this historical moment and will bring great change! Thanks for a great post!

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  28. I would imagine all the Presidential stuff is dominating the tv screens at the moment. Let's hope this new regime make things happen - let's hope it all works out.

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  29. What's up with all these blogs discussing birds as of late, particularly crows?

    Love the trees pic, btw.

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  30. I love when the universe comes to you, or I should say I open myself for the universe...on my walk with my dogs yesterday the crows were speaking so loudly...it over took my everything and recenterd me...thanks

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  31. Whoa! Hitchcocky vision! Thanks for the info - I too love etymology- could spend hours going through the back of my dictionary digging up the seeds- rather sparks the dendrites in all sorts of directions.

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  32. Love it when the trees are suddenly full of birds! What does it mean? Why are they there? Why in my yard? Where are they going next? So many questions! Cool photo.

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  33. who would have thought that inauguration had a bird connection?

    we've been having large flockings of birds here as well. i enjoy their chatter!

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  34. Willow! - this was fascinating! thank you!

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  35. Hi Willow,
    One of my blog readers, Monica, sent me this link because she thought I would be interested. Indeed I am. I love all things related to language. My blog is also about language - http://www.walkinthewords.blogspot.com
    I really enjoyed reading your blog and I will be sure to check back again.

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  36. Quite interesting explanation! Both photos are lovely.

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  37. Love the etymology, and like most, I believe it augers well!

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  38. Love the etymology, and like most, I believe it augers well!

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  39. Very interesting stuff, Willow. Thanks for educating me.

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  40. Beautiful barn swallow images! Do you know whether this is a European or an American painting?

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  41. Merisi, I believe Elizabeth Bunker is an American artist.

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  42. walk under those trees whilst the birds are roosting & it will be lucky you dont get pooped on

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  43. Ahh yes... birds of a feather flock together. I hope your good omen produces only the best for you in 2009. Things are going well here at Wellington, a bitter cold day though.
    The Bach

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  44. Very interesting! Thanks for the info - it's nice to see the interest in words.

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  45. The winter birds were chirping outside my kitchen window too. I spied three female Cardinals, two male Cardinals, various little brown birds, and several squirrels. This must add up to a a good omen, I hope. Excellent research on the word, and new information for me.

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  46. I wonder what sort of bird entrails we need to examine to get a sense of the upcoming Obama years?

    Your flurry of birds are eager for change, I think.

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  47. :D Interesting thought... and, perhaps, it is a good omen. Only time will tell, I suppose, but I am fairly certain that the best (and possibly the worst) of this "great" nation is yet to come. President Obama (God, I love the sound of that :D) fills my heart with so much hope...

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  48. Anything that involves the birds is good with me. I feel bad that it's always so freezing on inauguration days. Your birds up there must know another cold front is coming through or something!

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  49. Obama's inauguration is on my daughter's birthday, I am quite pleased about that.

    PS If you are not inundated you are welcome to add me to your list of interviewees; it sounds like fun.

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  50. I love the etymology of words and this another that just makes such perfect sense once it's explained.

    A great reminder that all of our words actually mean something.

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  51. I know you'll love this - tide pool

    xo S & The Gang


    http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7825000/7825922.stm

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  52. ok I was curious about this whole bird idea, so in the interest of efficiency, I went to KFC and opened up a bird. It was great!!

    Good omen!!! the biscuits were good too!!!

    :-)

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  53. You always teach me something. I have missed visiting you. I am so happy so many new friends have found you. A fresh start is always so exciting. I pray all will go well with the new administration.

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  54. ergo....a little birdie told me so!

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  55. Steviewren, I knew you would connect to this post! ;^)

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  56. Omens and birds...there seems to be something in the wind about birds here in Upstate New York...birds are so delicate that it always amazes me that they manage to survive our harsh winters (even the mild ones we've had in the recent years) the feathered drama at my feeders has been most interesting...but nothing more interesting than seeing four bluebirds (2 males, 2 females) visiting my acre this past Sunday (1/11) and feeding off the stag horn sumac berries...I've never seen them (or heard them) hanging about in the winter around here...very odd...yet I felt such joy when I saw them because they seemed very content, chortling their soft song with such a happy attitude, that I felt "no worries"...it can only be a good thing...there's change in the air. Times they are a changin'...the inauguration is a start to that change that has been a long time coming...

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  57. I love that photo..Like someone else mentioned, it reminds me of Hitchcock, too.

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  58. I like your blog! Please check mine out, it's a funny look at the life of a teacher who is also a first time, stressed out mom to a growing boy. A unique look into friends, family, and parenting.

    http://hankehouse.blogspot.com/

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  59. I am floored by this post! I'll be watching the inauguration in a different light now!

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  60. I love learning about words, which is why I usually have a word of the day in my blog. I also try and post the etymology as well. This week I was lazy and didn't do that though. MY FOOKIN' BAD.

    This was interesting information, and it augured just fine with me.

    bright blessings!

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)