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Do You Know the Meaning of These Words in Your Favorite Christmas Carols?
Some Christmas carols have been around so long that they use beautiful archaic language like "hither and thither," which most English speakers can still recognize as meaning "here and there." But I bet even native English speakers don't know the meaning of some of these words that pop up in their favorite Christmas songs.
Lowing
Heard in: Away in a Manger
“The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes”
Lowing (verb) = Mooing
Verily, RivenHeard in: Ding Dong Merrily on High
“Ding dong, verily the sky is riv’n with angel singing”
Verily (adverb) = Truly
Riven (adjective) = Split
BobtailsHeard in: Jingle Bells
“Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright”
Bobtail (noun) = An animal that has had its tail cropped, usually a horse, dog or sheep. In this case, probably a horse with bells on its harness.
IncarnateHeard in: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate deity”
Incarnate (adjective) = Embodied or represented in human form
LeagueHeard in: Good King Wenceslas
“Sire, he lives a good league hence underneath the mountain”
League (noun) = a measure of distance, equal to about 3 miles
Deck, TrollHeard in: Deck the Halls
“Deck the halls with boughs of holly … Troll the ancient Yuletide carol”
Deck (verb) = Decorate
Troll (verb) = Sing
HeelHeard in: You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch
“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch, you really are a heel”
Heel (noun) = an inconsiderate person
Once bitten, twice shyHeard in: Last Christmas
“Once bitten and twice shy, I keep my distance”
Once bitten, twice shy (idiom) = Someone who has a bad experience will be more cautious next time
Thanks to Facebook fan Nelly for this suggestion!
WassailingHeard in: The Wassail Song (Here We Come A-Wassailing)
“Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green”
Wassailing (noun) = Caroling, Going door-to-door
Auld lang syneHeard in: Auld Lang Syne
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne?” - Auld Lang Syne
Auld lang syne (phrase) = old times, times gone by (This is actually a Scots phrase, not an English one, but it’s sung every year around this time in the English-speaking world)
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Judge upholds racial considerations in US Naval Academy admissions
Although the U.S. Supreme Court last year decided that civilian colleges and universities could not consider race or ethnicity in admissions, a judge ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy had established a national security interest in a diverse officer corps.
That means the academy – and other military service academies – can continue to consider race. A similar policy at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has also been challenged, but that case has not yet gone to trial, according to a report in Navy Times. (December 2024)
Harvard recommends gap year as a strategic move
While some students and parents see the gap year as a waste of time, others see the break in academic studies as valuable for developing maturity, earning money or focusing goals.
MSN.com explains some of the reasons why Harvard – and other prestigious schools in the United States – are recommending that students take a gap year. (December 2024)
Student dilemma: Financial aid applications can expose undocumented parents
Many students in the U.S. rely on financial aid to attend colleges and universities, but as Julia Barajas reports in LAist.com, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid could cause a dilemma for students with an undocumented parent.
If students fill out the application, they will share their parents’ financial information – and potentially raise questions about their immigration status -- with the federal government. If they don’t fill out the application, they won’t get federal financial aid. (December 2024)
FDA: College students using ‘honey packets’ to enhance sex put themselves at risk
With TikTok videos promoting “honey packets,” the supplements marketed as sexual enhancements have become popular on college campuses.
But as Charles Trepany reports in USA Today, the Food and Drug Administration has warned that ingredients in the supplements could be potentially dangerous. (November 2024)
Some universities encourage Chinese students to return before inauguration
Some colleges and universities are encouraging international students to return to the United States – or stay in the country over winter break – to make sure any White House travel restrictions don’t impede their return, the South China Morning Post reports.
Chinese students in the United States have expressed concerns about being allowed back in the country after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. Trump has promised sweeping immigration reforms and mass deportations. (December 2024)
