Scruple, n. A word that is falling into disuse as expressing an idea that no longer exists.
2005 Update: Such as discretion, forebearance, chastity, patience or solemnity, a principle that inhibits rogue bahavior or disguises it. The arm upon a saint or the sleeve on a politician.
scruple, n. That uneasy feeling that prohibits me from putting the icecube tray back into the freezer with just one icecube.
ReplyDeleteHaving qualms about it, I'm rather reluctant to expound on this word.
ReplyDeleteScruple, n. 1. A sort of cowardice. 2. Usually found in groups, the reason why one claims to fail to take advantage of an opportunity. As in the sentence: "I couldn't do that, I have scruples."
ReplyDeleteScruple,n.,
ReplyDeleteAn archaic word still found in some dictionaries. Orginally used to indicate hesitation, but since all who hesitated were lost to us, it is no longer needed.
A qualm, such as, Will I ever get caught?
Aral, I think down deep, each of us fights all our lives with the one-cube dilemma. I wish Jesus had said something about ice cube trays.
ReplyDeleteScrupulous as always, Sar.
Andrew, Bierce would have agreed with your definition. He often wrote that expediency was the only worthy basis of morality.
In dictionaries and on the tongues of mercenaries, TLP.
scruple,n. A simple excuse manufactured from an unconscious indolence of spirit.
ReplyDeleteThat's sort of like us dogs having to overcome our basic animal instincts of the wild to be a domesticated pet; we just make them think we have. And the people who proport to have scruples are often pretending for show.
ReplyDeleteI love it Alice. You see, the reason I don't exercise or eat is right is to protect myself from vanity.
ReplyDeleteThe righteous as Best in Show. Good girl!
By the way, everybody needs to read Aral's post today. Beyong clever and more than funny.
Golly, Doug, you're TOO kind!
ReplyDeleteI feel I must warn people that some of my blog readers seem fairly under-whelmed by the post.
No way, Aral! As an avocational satirist, I genuflect. The post was brilliant! Inspired! If I write for a thousand years, I'll never write as well. I'm going for Rex Reed, here. How'm I doing?
ReplyDeleteWell, TLP may be having a bad hair day, but I'm having a bad brain day. I better leave this one alone.
ReplyDeletescruple could prevent a lot of terrible things from happening did it arise before people do those things instead of arising only after everything is done.
ReplyDeleteA scruple is the little angel sitting on your right shoulder who whispers things in your ear like, "Don't flip the bird at that driver" or "Don't have that second plate of spaghetti."
ReplyDeleteThe proof that scruples are ignored in today's world is found by observing our well-toned middle fingers and our not-so-well toned middles.
things work better when you don't have any
ReplyDelete"Scruples": educational parlor game designed to acquaint people with archaic behavior and give them a few laughs. Strategies for winning require lying and cheating.
ReplyDeletescruple: the one variable that seperates a saint from a sinner
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your White Sox, victory Doug! Savor the moment. :)
ReplyDeleteDddragon, a mother of two teenagers hardly needs scruples.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Ariel. They're best retroactively.
Haha, Planetmoron. I'll the Pennsylvanians help with that one.
Jamie Dawn, is that what they're saying? It sounded like "with gravy" or something.
Ah, Karma, I was looking for the executive perspective.
Weirsdo, the one time I played that game was with a recent ex. It was funny. In retrospect.
a4g, nice work. That took me a minute. If I were a drinker, I'd drink the screw-top kind too.
Pia, only by a step, I think.
Oh, Sar! You snuck past me. Thanks, so much. I'm a happy, sloppy southsider today.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Doug, congrats. TLP, Hoss, Mireille and I are mourning, along with the rest of Red Sox Nation... BUT! Yippee for the White Sox!
ReplyDelete;-P
Yeah, Doug. Congrats. Don't worry about us. *sigh* We'll be fine. Someday. *whimper*
ReplyDeleteGO WHITE SOX. Win it all!
Actonbell, that's funny but you're always right on time. Ran today, dincha?
ReplyDeleteAral, Red Sox fans are pretty gracious. Who knew?
Thanks, TLP. I'm always pulling for you too.
Scruple: Those little squiggly icing designs decorating the cakes you can have and eat, too, though it wasn't yours to eat. Historically, has been known to cause heartburn, but modern man/woman has developed immunity.
ReplyDelete