In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
PITHING
Verb
pithing
present participle of pith
Source: Wiktionary
PITH
Pith, n. Etym: [AS. pi; akin to D. pit pith, kernel, LG. peddik. Cf. Pit a kernel.]
1. (Bot.)
Definition: The soft spongy substance in the center of the stems of many plants and trees, especially those of the dicotyledonous or exogenous classes. It consists of cellular tissue.
2. (a) (Zoöl.) The spongy interior substance of a feather. (b) (Anat.) The spinal cord; the marrow.
3. Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength; importance; as, the speech lacked pith. Enterprises of great pith and moment. Shak. Pith paper. Same as Rice paper, under Rice.
Pith, v. t. (Physiol.)
Definition: To destroy the central nervous system of (an animal, as a frog), as by passing a stout wire or needle up and down the vertebral canal.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
14 November 2024
FRISK
(noun) the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs; “he gave the suspect a quick frisk”
Coffee Trivia
