Friday 29^th July 2016

Tweedle \ [tweed-l]

Verb (used without object), tweedled, tweedling.

1. to produce high-pitched, modulated sounds, as a singer, bird, or

musical instrument.

2. to perform lightly upon a musical instrument.

Verb (used with object), tweedled, tweedling.

3. to lure by or as by music:

The Pied Piper tweedled the children into following him.

Quote

In regard to church music, if a man cannot be said to be merry or good-humored

when he is tickled till he laughs, why should he be esteemed devout or pious when

he is tweedled into zeal by the drone pipe of an organ?

William Shenstone, "On Religion," The Works in Verse and Prose, of William Shenstone,

Esq, 1764

Origin

Tweedle is imitative in origin, though it may also be influenced by the verb

wheedle. It entered English in the late 1600’s.

Thursday 28^th July 2016

Arrears \ /əˈrɪəz/

Noun

1. (sometimes sing) Also called arrearage (əˈrɪərɪdʒ). Something

outstanding or owed

2. in arrears, in arrear, late in paying a debt or meeting an obligation

Quote

He might need Alma to write a threatening letter to a borrower who had fallen into

arrears. ("Tell him that he must commence paying me back within the fortnight or

I will see to it that his children spend the remainder of their lives in a workhouse,"

Henry would dictate, while Alma would write, "Dear Sir: With greatest respect, I ask

that you bestir yourself to attend this debt ...")

Elizabeth Gilbert, The Signature of All Things, 2013

Origin

Arrears can ultimately be traced to the Latin term ad retrō, with ad-meaning

"toward" and indicating direction, tendency, or addition, and retrō meaning

"behind."