May 19, 2005
Papal Philately
It's your word of the day: philately. What does it mean? (Hint: it's a noun, not an adverb)
I bring it up because in Germany they've introduced a new stamp:
Cool! I want one, and I don't even collect stamps. Can you imagine the ACLU conniption fit if we released a similar one in the US?
I hate to admit where I learned that word....
If it will make money., the post office will sell it. They have has stamps for Dr. Seuss, Disney characters, and Margaret Sanger/Planned Parenthood. But they have a waiting period after the death of a person before they can get 'stamped' - I think it is 5 years? (no, that's the waiting period for the cause for canonization - which B16 has waived.)
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=philately
I learned the word as a child of 13 listening to Tom Lehrer. The line in the song goes
"Who needs a hobby, like tennis, or philately?
I have a hobby, re-reading lady chatterly"
which required some slightly embarrased explanation from my parents.
FOr a long time I really thought philately was a dirty word!
I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. I'd be curious to know what you think.
http://amazon.com/o/ASIN/0787978949/
Tom
Posted by: Tom at May 24, 2005 09:36 PMHmmm.... Not sure what to make of it. It looks like it's just trying to use Star Wars popularity to discuss theological topics. That's just from my casual glance. Personally I'd like a book like that discussing Lord of the Rings or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Who knows? Perhaps there are books about dieting like a Jedi Master. ;-)
Posted by: Scott at May 24, 2005 09:43 PMSweatin' to the Yoda's
Posted by: Tom at May 24, 2005 10:54 PM"The Jabba the Hutt Weight Loss Diet"
For those who don't get the reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabba_the_Hutt