Friday, September 24, 2010

Essential

ESSENTIAL, adj. Pertaining to the essence, or that which determines the distinctive character of a thing. People, who, because they do not know the English language, are driven to the unprofitable vocation of writing for American newspapers, commonly use this word in the sense of necessary, as
April rains are essential to June harvests.
W.C. Bartlett
2010 Update: That thing inside a thing without which that thing would be an entirely other thing, or, in fact, not a thing at all but a philosophy.

13 comments:

Ariel the Thief said...

There is one "a thing" more in the definition, but it did make me laugh, great one. And I liked yesterday's definition too, once I could translate it.

charn - choke on your chains

Anonymous said...

ESSENTIAL, adj. - It's got to mean something LOL Have a great Friday :)

Unknown said...

Essential: a distillation.

e.g.: Buy whatever wine you want, but the Tullamore Dew 10-year is essential.

Nessa said...

Wine is the essence of my being - and woo-woo's.

k. riggs gardner said...

Yes Mr E. Wombat I understand what you mean. I enjoy single-malt Irish Whiskey myself. And Thom's comment (RT @Boobsquid @GardnersGazette back at ya) has reminded me that today is Friday which means it's time for me to play Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce.

A Needless Labour

AFTER waiting many a weary day to revenge himself upon a Lion for
some unconsidered manifestation of contempt, a Skunk finally saw
him coming, and posting himself in the path ahead uttered the
inaudible discord of his race. Observing that the Lion gave no
attention to the matter, the Skunk, keeping carefully out of reach,
said:

"Sir, I beg leave to point out that I have set on foot an implacable odour."

"My dear fellow," the Lion replied, "you have taken a needless trouble; I already knew that you were a Skunk."

2010 Moral Update: Some thing or other like if a tree falls in the forest it is essential that some one actually cares that it did.

Jim said...

I always thought that one could do a little 'sniffing' and then determine an essence of a person. I know one who smells like garlic, another still smells like a musky lusty teen.
I lost most of my sense of smell when I worked at the watch factory on the degreasing machine job. The degreaser used some very harsh chemicals.
Perhaps that is why I always try to get a scent of the person with whom I am dealing.
You know, the essentials.
..

k. riggs gardner said...

Thank you Mr Hovendick for reminding me that I have forgotten to add something to my updated moral.

2010 Moral Update: Some thing or other like if a tree falls in the forest it is essential that some one actually cares that it did.
..

cooper said...

Like your definition, and am way to lazy to attack "essential".

pia said...

Believe that Doug's essential to my life, but don't tell him I said so :)
My word ver--turdvee--kind of interesting

TLP said...

Great update! Can't even try to top that.

I agree Pia: Doug is sine qua non.

Anonymous said...

funny thing here in florida
it seems essential to destroy
mother nature
and replace the awesome beauty
with reproduced versions
on license plates.

peace

Anonymous said...

guess it is a jobs for felons program

LOL

wv...sticapoc
medical procedure to remove zits

Doug The Una said...

Ariel, things are my stock in trade.

Everything does, Thom. Enjoy your weekend as well.

Wombat, duly noted.

Prost, Nessa.

Very good, Karen.

Jim, I bet the machinery you cleaned ran as smooth as sundials.

Karen, someone always cares if only to resent.

Cooper, laziness is my essence.

Pia, thanks. Wood alcohol is also essential so I feel in good company.

Thanks, blogmama.

Actonbell, I can see you loving perfume. I wonder what ever happened to Mireille and Kyah.

That is sort of ironic, Bear. Think of it as saving fish from pelicans.