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A new definition for serendipity

Serendipity:

'the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for'.

'Exchanging notes with another blogger and discovering that the Welsh for Prime Minister is 'Prif Weinidog'. Yes, really. (Please, Welsh speakers, do not spoil it by confirming that it is not pronounced Whiny Dog')

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 12:18 pm. You can skip to the end and leave a response.

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Anonymous Anonymous said... 2:19 pm

Surely serendipity (pace your header) can be most briefly defined as personally approved coincidence. I live in Caterham, and find it under-represented in your otherwise excellent writing.  



Blogger Croydonian said... 2:26 pm

Mark - kind of you to say so. I will keep an eye out for tales of Caterham-related interest.  



Anonymous Anonymous said... 5:29 pm

You didn't reference who wrote the original definition. Certainly not you, as you know that "sought for" is wrong in the context.

Thank God I'm not a picky person!  



Blogger Welshcakes Limoncello said... 7:08 pm

I'm Welsh but not a Welsh speaker and I think that's great!  



Blogger Croydonian said... 9:05 pm

Verity - It was from Webster, which happened to accessible from the tool bar.

WL - Nice to see you hear. Glad I have not been causing unnecessary offence.  



Anonymous Anonymous said... 1:31 am

Croydonian, when you say 'Webster', do you mean 'Webster's Dictionary?'

Putting a preposition on the end of a sentence ending in 'sought' is wrong, because 'sought' means looked for or being looked for, as you well know.

I'm sorry to be picky, but I love our language, as do you. I hate trashy usage and I have never thought Webster's Dictionary particularly reliable, despite featuring in 'You're The Tops'.  



Blogger Croydonian said... 5:40 am

Verity, yes, Webster's dictionary.

If I ever find myself heading to a certain part of North Africa - as God is my witness - I will declare 'Like Webster's dictionary, I'm Morocco-bound' to everyone in earshot. Repeatedly....  



Blogger Rhys Wynne said... 1:17 pm

Christ o mighty, an on-line translatior that doesn't generate complete gibberish (on this occasion).

Weindog is pronounced "Whey knee-dog"

- sorry couldn't help myself  



Blogger Croydonian said... 1:31 pm

Rhys - Much obliged. Sounds suitably Scots, doesn't it?  



Blogger flashgordonnz said... 4:37 pm

'Like Webster's dictionary, I'm Morocco-bound'

A former collegue would leave the office in the evening
"I'm gonna make like a bald man. I'm outta here."

I'll get me coat.  



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