In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
mergansers
plural of merganser
Source: Wiktionary
Mer*gan"ser, n. Etym: [Sp. mergánsar, fr. mergo a diver (L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ánsar goose, L. anser.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: Any bird of the genus Merganser, and allied genera. They are allied to the ducks, but have a sharply serrated bill.
Note: The red-breasted merganser (Merganser serrator) inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also sawbill, harle, and sheldrake. The American merganser (M. Americanus.) and the hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) are well-known species.
– White merganser, the smew or white nun.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
20 November 2024
(noun) an injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation; sometimes used for diagnostic purposes
In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.