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.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Hautboy
HAUTBOY, n. The least noisy of boys.
2010 Update: A double-reeded instrument named for its similarity to a Parisian waiter.
Well, it's a kid who is a conical bore and who has a double-reed mouthpiece. Thus, the combination of being boring and speaking out of both sides of his mouth is deadly. Avoid hautboys at all costs.
Of course you know that hautboy is derived from a combination of "haughty" and "boy" and was originally used in reference to oboe player, Al Wise d'Best. Over time the appellation was given to other conceited oboe players and then their horns, although the horns on their own did nothing to deserve it.
Hautboy sounds like some boy who enjoys haute cuisine. But after I googled hautboy - I was amazed to see it is an oboe... Ariel, I think the English pronunciation you are making isn't as you think ha ha :)
I hate to disagree with such learned and talented lexicographers and etymologists as the Dawg and the Quillster, but I consider Quilly's derivations to be insufficient, and I reckon that the heirs of Mr. d'Best consider them slanderous. (Everyone knows that d'Best was a trumpet player.)
"Haut" simply means "high", whilst "boy" means "wood" (French bois). From this we derive hautboy: pipe; implement for the consumption of 'funny smoke'.
Clearly it came to pass, one day, that a circle of consumers was gathered around the pipe, and one of their number, having perhaps toked once too often, was taken with a fit of humor and giggled into the pipe. After the smoke cleared, someone else in the circle said, "Hey, that was cool. Do it again." The rest is, well, you know.
15 comments:
The sexiest musical instrument in a man's hands. Although its English name is hilarious, the Ancient Greek would have loved it.
Oh, boy, what can you say about a hautboy?
Well, it's a kid who is a conical bore and who has a double-reed mouthpiece. Thus, the combination of being boring and speaking out of both sides of his mouth is deadly. Avoid hautboys at all costs.
You hit the nail on the head except it's a Cuban waiter.
HAUTBOY, n.
1. Noble adolescent (funny you should mention the Greeks, Ariel).
2. Child whose musical qualities have attracted the attention of scouts for the FIBA. I'd write 'NBA', 'cept that next year there won't be an NBA.
Did't know hautboy
not in vocabulary
I know oboe well
Thanks Doug, you are a good teacher. :)
..
Doug. Everyone already knows that Parisian waiters are rude. Might I suggest purchasing this travel guide for your library?
Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Paris
Of course you know that hautboy is derived from a combination of "haughty" and "boy" and was originally used in reference to oboe player, Al Wise d'Best. Over time the appellation was given to other conceited oboe players and then their horns, although the horns on their own did nothing to deserve it.
Hautboy sounds like some boy who enjoys haute cuisine. But after I googled hautboy - I was amazed to see it is an oboe... Ariel, I think the English pronunciation you are making isn't as you think ha ha :)
HAUTBOY, n. Any relation to Poorboy? LOL Oh Bozo...now I get it. Only takes me 3 posts to catch up LOL Have an excellent weekend my friend :)
Boys that aren't noisy is an oxymoron, no?
;-)
Hot boy?
That's my kinda word to define.
O, boe! This word, the definitions and the comments are a bit haughty for me.
Ariel, that's sure. Although they might not have recognized Franglish since neither language existed then.
TLP, what kid isn't a conical bore, I ask you.
Cooper, one who gives away your drink?
Amoeba, that's bad news. Do you know something I don't?
Thanks, Jim, and you're a good haikuist.
Appreciate the recommendation, Karen but when I'm abroad I like to either visit friends or get lost. No need for a guide.
Quilly, I did not know that, actually. You're so aerodeight.
Oh, Terry, I didn't get Ariel's joke at all. Thanks for the translation. That is funny.
Ariel, "au" is normally pronounced like the Hungarian "a" but in the French this comes from it is more like "o."
Thom, only in that you can probably get a whole one in your mouth.
Nicole, I was a quiet boy, but I admit it's almost an oxymoron.
Jenn, you're going to confuse Ariel.
Actonbell, Faun's are ever relevant.
Nessa, we got fancy friends.
Dawg, the word is "lockout".
I hate to disagree with such learned and talented lexicographers and etymologists as the Dawg and the Quillster, but I consider Quilly's derivations to be insufficient, and I reckon that the heirs of Mr. d'Best consider them slanderous. (Everyone knows that d'Best was a trumpet player.)
"Haut" simply means "high", whilst "boy" means "wood" (French bois). From this we derive hautboy: pipe; implement for the consumption of 'funny smoke'.
Clearly it came to pass, one day, that a circle of consumers was gathered around the pipe, and one of their number, having perhaps toked once too often, was taken with a fit of humor and giggled into the pipe. After the smoke cleared, someone else in the circle said, "Hey, that was cool. Do it again." The rest is, well, you know.
Doug, did you mean errodeight?
Amoeba, your ego is louder than your trumpet. Showing me up isn't in your best interests. Now what's for dinner?
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