Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Bedlam
BEDLAM, n. A house whose inmates are all poets--"of imagination all compact."
2007 Update: A Lutheran church with a tardy pastor.
Bedlam: the chaos that surrounds Doug everywhere he goes - people clamor for his paw print. They want that and they hope to hear a parable or fable or even just a sneeze.
*bites through the strings that tie her white jacket, gives the rubber wall one last kick, spits out a tiny key and opens the door with the tiny window in it,gently moves barefoot over the cold grey floor to the nurse´s office and grins, nurse smiles back and says: "Oh Minka, there you are...you are getting quicker each day, I already opened WA for you in the background, only 6 comments so far...one of these days you might be first again!"*
bedlam,n "complete and utter balagan." Something Simon Cowell might say. By the by, balagan is a Hebrew word I hear, loaned from Russian. I just thought that was mighty fine.
The first thing that popped into my mind though was Jack Nicholson flying over the cukoo´s nest, he was fine too! But what a booby hatch that was! *shakes head*
Ha! bedlam is obviously a compound word made up of bed - - the place where one sleeps, and lam, which means, to flee, and any parent and/or childcare worker will tell you it is a nightly occurrance in the life to most tots.
My girls were perfect. PERFECT! Never gave me one moment's trouble. Especially Aral. Same with the grandtwins. No bedlam here. Well, unless you count Kevin and Niks.
Please send multiple originals (not copies) of your paw print along with any truffles you have just lying around. Bedlam will ensue once I open my blog buddy memorabilia store and offer your paw print. There will also be frenzied throngs clamoring for a lock of Icy's hair, a classic Pez despenser, and little stuffed penguins.
Bedlam is short for "Bethlam" -- which, in turn is a variation of Bethlehem. originally a hospital (i think) it became a haven (or hell) for the mentally not-well in 1403 -- and was, according to some 16th century writer, "so hideous, so great; that they are more able to drive a man that hath his wits rather out of them".
wonder where they house the Wikipidiots?
based on the meaning of "Bethlehem", i believe i'll take a slice of bread in lieu of those points, if you please. ; )
As Puppy wrote, the word “Bedlam” refers to a medieval asylum for mad people in England. In the 18th Century, such asylums were a source of entertainment. Wealthy people paid a penny to enter and watch mad people behave crazily. Later the word came to mean, “a chaotic, uncontrollable situation”.
I don't want points either. Gimme chocolate and no one will get hurt.
TLP: i say we demand a jar of Nutella and a loaf of fresh baked bread. that way we can enjoy the fruits of our Wikipidiocy, together. (no doubt you and i would've wound up in padded cells next to each other back then...)
TLP, I think you're right although there's no bedlam without keening and To Keen is a feminine word.
Jamie Dawn's Bloggaphenelia and Bait Shop. Arkansas' been needing one of those.
Minka, you'r'e right. J.D. should rent that word out.
5 points, Neva. Congratulations.
One chocolate-covered shrimp for the blogmama. Coming right up. Incidentally, this is why the TLP story last year took place in Bethlehem, PA instead of your actual home town.
Al, so you can imagine why I accompanied Minka and Kyahgirl there with no small amount of trepidation. Have you ever seen mouse ears with a cat suit?
Neva, throw in a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice and I'll ignore you completely. It's like the five points meant nothing to you. Nothing!
Terry, you're over my head again. Darn crow.
Actonbell, I'm not sure. No Lutheran has ever been tardy. But I can imagine.
Hurray for Cooper! Don't listen to Neva. The outside world is nothing like the bedlam of college, unless you go to some civil-war-afflicted third word country. Oopsie.
32 comments:
Bedlam: Home of Fred and Wilma...hmmm, that might not be right.
But this is...
First!
In Hawai'i, the last shall be first. Unless Minka slinks in here while I'm typing ...
BEDLAM, n. Fugitives from the sleepwear store.
Did you hear about the kiddie porn bust at the mattress factory? The police finally decoded "Posturepedic"... :)
Damn. It was Sar. Fee on you ... ;)
bedlam - A characteristic of every day life
Hahahahaha, OC!
Btw, how's the weather down there in second place?
Good definition, Douglas!
Bedlam: the chaos that surrounds Doug everywhere he goes - people clamor for his paw print. They want that and they hope to hear a parable or fable or even just a sneeze.
*bites through the strings that tie her white jacket, gives the rubber wall one last kick, spits out a tiny key and opens the door with the tiny window in it,gently moves barefoot over the cold grey floor to the nurse´s office and grins, nurse smiles back and says: "Oh Minka, there you are...you are getting quicker each day, I already opened WA for you in the background, only 6 comments so far...one of these days you might be first again!"*
bedlam,n "complete and utter balagan." Something Simon Cowell might say.
By the by, balagan is a Hebrew word I hear, loaned from Russian. I just thought that was mighty fine.
The first thing that popped into my mind though was Jack Nicholson flying over the cukoo´s nest, he was fine too! But what a booby hatch that was! *shakes head*
bedlam: the race to post first here.
actually i'm going to have to say i live in a state of bedlam. It explains so much no?
Sar, clap clap
Amoeba, you really set yourself up for that.
An average walk in the park, Poobah. I agree.
Sar, you are very cruel.
Jamie Dawn, you think I have truffles, don't you? Where can I send my paw print?
Minka, the things you go through. That was a well written scene, by the way. I was totally pulling for the main character.
Jenna, I think you can never explain enough.
Bedlam: Popular contraction. A colloquialism for Now go to bed little lamb.
Bedlam; an escaped con looking for a house to sleep in--and my wv begins with alms so I guess, the convict is begging also
Doug, well...next time pull at the strings that tie me up...that way you might do some good and I´d be quicker!
verifier: orifxe
What kinda Freudian nightmare is that? And people wonder how come loony bins be so over-crowded!
Ha! bedlam is obviously a compound word made up of bed - - the place where one sleeps, and lam, which means, to flee, and any parent and/or childcare worker will tell you it is a nightly occurrance in the life to most tots.
Funny revision, TLP. Your girls were perfect angels, though, right? I mean, besides Aral.
Pia, begging will make you a convict, sooner or later.
Minka, I have been too grateful too often for those strings.
Quilly, this is why I don't talk to parents or childcare workers. They'll tell you anything.
OK, 5 points for whoever posts the actual origin of the word.
My girls were perfect. PERFECT! Never gave me one moment's trouble. Especially Aral. Same with the grandtwins. No bedlam here. Well, unless you count Kevin and Niks.
Bedlam is a masculine word.
Please send multiple originals (not copies) of your paw print along with any truffles you have just lying around. Bedlam will ensue once I open my blog buddy memorabilia store and offer your paw print.
There will also be frenzied throngs clamoring for a lock of Icy's hair, a classic Pez despenser, and little stuffed penguins.
jamie dawn, and patent rights to the word "hitonious". :)
Bedlam is short for "Bethlam" -- which, in turn is a variation of Bethlehem. originally a hospital (i think) it became a haven (or hell) for the mentally not-well in 1403 -- and was, according to some 16th century writer, "so hideous, so great; that they are more able to drive a man that hath his wits rather out of them".
wonder where they house the Wikipidiots?
based on the meaning of "Bethlehem", i believe i'll take a slice of bread in lieu of those points, if you please. ; )
As Puppy wrote, the word “Bedlam” refers to a medieval asylum for mad people in England. In the 18th Century, such asylums were a source of entertainment. Wealthy people paid a penny to enter and watch mad people behave crazily. Later the word came to mean, “a chaotic, uncontrollable situation”.
I don't want points either. Gimme chocolate and no one will get hurt.
Bedlam: The Capital of Disneyland.
TLP: i say we demand a jar of Nutella and a loaf of fresh baked bread. that way we can enjoy the fruits of our Wikipidiocy, together. (no doubt you and i would've wound up in padded cells next to each other back then...)
; )
Bedlam: see "snakepit"
Yeah, I immediately think "Cuckoo's Nest" but these are all brilliant definitions with Dog and OC getting the highest scores today.
I'm now free from four years of bedlam so I get to gloat.
ooooh Terry -- excellent reference (that was one fine film)
and congrats, to Cooper! now you get to find out what bedlam really is... ; )
Time for bedlam. G'night.
Bedlam: The crowd waiting here for Friday's post.
TLP, I think you're right although there's no bedlam without keening and To Keen is a feminine word.
Jamie Dawn's Bloggaphenelia and Bait Shop. Arkansas' been needing one of those.
Minka, you'r'e right. J.D. should rent that word out.
5 points, Neva. Congratulations.
One chocolate-covered shrimp for the blogmama. Coming right up. Incidentally, this is why the TLP story last year took place in Bethlehem, PA instead of your actual home town.
Al, so you can imagine why I accompanied Minka and Kyahgirl there with no small amount of trepidation. Have you ever seen mouse ears with a cat suit?
Neva, throw in a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice and I'll ignore you completely. It's like the five points meant nothing to you. Nothing!
Terry, you're over my head again. Darn crow.
Actonbell, I'm not sure. No Lutheran has ever been tardy. But I can imagine.
Hurray for Cooper! Don't listen to Neva. The outside world is nothing like the bedlam of college, unless you go to some civil-war-afflicted third word country. Oopsie.
Neva, what's the movie?
Good night, G.
Good morning, TLP.
You little rat!!!!
That's pig to you, Missy.
That's Mrs. Missy to you Dawg.
By the same token, coffeeless Unitarians?
Oh all right then, ANY bunch of Unitarians.
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