Serendipity has a positive effect on all our lives. So why not make it happen more often.
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October 24, 2012
The above was supposedly spoken by Napoleon, referring to his first sighting of Elba.
Palingrams are phrases that read the same backwards and forwards. Horizontal and vertical, if need be.
It's basically the same as a palindrome, which is a single word that can be read the same in all those directions.
Not to be confused with a Palindrone, which is indecipherable in any direction.
What got me thinking about all this was getting a group email we all hate and we all read.
“I am sending this only to my smart friends. I could not figure it out and had to look at the answer. See if you can figure out what these words have in common.”
1. Banana
2. Dresser
3. Grammar
4. Potato
5. Revive
6. Uneven
7. Assess
Take a moment if you'd like.
Okay, you're back.
Yes, it's true if you removed the first letter of each you would have a perfectly imperfect palindrome, with the only problem being none them are real words.
The answer? These are the only words in the English language that if you stuck the first letter on the end, it would read the same backwards.
Grammar. rammarG.
Welcome to our Friday Lite Language series.
Are you still with me?
Palindromes occur in many western languages, but they are particularly prevalent in English due to the wide variety of reversible letter pairs within words.
Finnish, however, has been described as "the language of palindromes."
I (a perfect palindrome) could cite a few lengthy examples but that would probably finish off this post.
According to Bill Bryson's “Mother Tongue: English & How It Got That Way," palindromes are at least 2,000 years old.
The ancient Greeks inscribed the palindrome "ΝΙΨΟΝΑΝΟΜΗΜΑΤΑΜΗΜΟΝΑΝΟΨΙΝ" in lavatories, meaning "Wash the sin as well as the face."
Thought you’d want to know that.
The longest palindrome in the English language is REDIVIDER. Racecar is another classic example.
And, besides Napoleon's, phrases: MADAM I'M ADAM. Do geese see God? Was it Eliot's toilet I saw? Never odd or even.
Then there are palindromic numbers like 58285. And we'll try to remind each other on the next palindromic date, 02/02/2020.
A musical palindrome, like parts of Bach's "Crab Canon," is a great way to exercise your eyes, fingers, brain and make you a better sight-reader.
And, of course, anyway you look at it you’re always free to drome on in the Eye.
The Eye being, as your own keen eyes have noticed, a perfect palindrome.
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"O"
Greetings : Ok, it's to late and now my brain hurts. This is going to be good. See ya in the AM.
"YAY"
...and , of course, bieng the 'still juvenile delinquient', there is another word that starts with "F", and ends with "UCK"....FIRETRUCK
it wasan't a palindrome, but it makes me smile
Oh! Some of you might have seen this clever palindrome poem, “Lost Generation”, written by Jonathan Reed, a 20-something Atlanta native and a student at Columbia College in Chicago. Reading it from the top down is disheartening; but reverse and read each sentence upwards and it is one of hope and optimism.
LOST GENERATION
I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
this is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.
And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA
I am reminded of, Ogden Nash .......
That was clever RY
Gee, that's a really stunting picture of Napolean
Dammit I'm mad.
My madness continues. Each year I beg my wife to not put out the bowl of candy corn and little pumpkin candies and she does and every time I pass by I grab a handful and the witch and the black cat on the front porch howl with utter delight at the possibility of a male muffin top. Egads...Pinterest has turned Ms T into a treat making monster.
good one Hazel. figuring on reading some clever things today...my brain is much.
RY ~ as always, big morning smile
So "palingrams" are collected sayings of Sarah Palin?
I would prefer that they refer to the travels of Michael Palin.
Bert~ those are more like Palin groans
Oh no a clever topic and my brain isn't functioning. I'll just lurk and read what everyone else comes up with.
I have always been stymied by word play. I think the door is stuck closed to that part of my brain.
Catch you on the flip side. I'm feeling verklempt, play amongst yourselves.....
RY, SO IS A "PALINDROME" A SARAH PALIN AIRPORT?
A hippopalindrome is a race track where the horses run the event forward and then backwards.
Weird Al LA Dr. Iew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnJdxUwF1Wg
Just saw a poster for a local band names Racecar racecaR. That's the extent of my contribution at the moment.
I'm w/ NACHISTA....................except she is ahead of me w/ racecar...................I have no skill at this..............none...........nada.......................my cleverness gene was stunted............................................... CHEFD.....................what palindrome whores de vores will you be making this evening you kitchen goddess???????????????????????????? weeeeeeeeeeeeeee, nibbles..................
"MMMMMMMMMMMMM" right?
BOOB! YES! I got one! YAaaaAy!
and Paolos, too bad that doesn't mean there are hippos chasing Sarah Palin to the airport.
Miss Graygoose ~ Sarah wouldn't run from the hippos. She'd shoot 'em. No questions asked.
Today's topic does remind me of an often overlooked form of ancient middle eastern poetry called chiasmus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiasmus
RY.......................can a palindrome be one letter???? Then, ding, ding, ding...............you are correct!
I'm with bebe...nada. Only thing I'm sure of is it would not be a palingram when Napoleon said it in French.
Oops, mixed my palins- we've got a panlingram. French is Capable etais -je avant que je voyais d"Elba. Sure doesn't qualify in French.
is wondering:
more on the honor rollDo geese see God?
What a topic!! I think this is a repeat of a previous one yes??? Finished re-coating the blacktop driveway so the winter doesn't crack it up! Bring plants and herbs in before the freeze. Needing to dust my VAST book shelving (I love books) including Day's Magic Lunchbox. NOW ON KINDLE:! Here's some words for ya,NOON, CIVIC, DEFIED, HANNAH, RADAR, ROTOR, ROTATOR, SEXES, SAGAS, SOLOS, TERRET, MADAM.
PARK........................I don't know if you are reading this, BUT................remember Devin of the Spiderman backpack & lover of Snicker bars............who got off the bus two years ago & I had to tell him that he didn't go to the primary anymore & he got back on the bus w/ tears in his eyes????????????????????? His little brother goes here now & when they came ( it's report card night) his mom told me that he wouldn't leave until he saw me. He came up & we hugged forever. I had a grin like some kind of crazy person. He looks beautiful and taller and has the same smile to end all smiles. I had to tell you!
Bebe, I remember that story. Another testiment to a grand teacher with a big heart. Good on you li'l cheesburger!
Spring - Thanks for the unusual poem that reads positively one way and not the other....Quite a feat!
Bebe - I know what you mean about that special student who comes back after so long, and was so needy at one time, and makes you get a catch in your breathing.
Good for you for giving him that hug....Some places we have been told, "No hugs." (Goodbyes to the special kids who age out of high school at 21, but you know they will not be able to take care of themselves well is also sad.)
mangel - We must have the same Kindle....My offering: (find the 9)
"Madam, please refer me to the civic level of this building to find where to license my kayak. I was told you stand up for the tenet of equality between the sexes, so your name came up on my radar." (Don't you love these sagas!?)
Stepped into Danny's Pub in Napierville for a bite & a snort. A friendly gal granted my wish and listening to the local crowd watch the Giants and The Tigers and sing along with the great Bob Marley "No Woman No Cry"; I put the lime in the coconut and my palin_____ whatever thoughts led me to the Marriott property across the way as Sunshine of your Love played behind me.
Ooooh Mooseloop's post triggered my memory. Does anyone remember the palindrome scene from Desk Set with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy? "Madam I'm Adam"
Nothing to do with palindromes...but it was a great first game of the World Series! Here we go Giants, here we go!
Hi bebe...yes, wonderful, loving teacher that you are. Makes you feel good doesn't it...to know you're appreciated and to see positive growth in your students.
SF, I'm sending the reverse poem to a friend who needs some encouraging words. I think she'll really like this as she's also a poet.