Lingua File

How we miss Andrew Crockett’s “Lingua File”!  When President, he regularly gave us insight into the eccentricities of our everyday language.

The Editor “prodded the possum” by asking him about A Unique Species!: “Isn’t every species unique? (or very unique, as some might say)”

PP Andrew happily took the bait: “Yes, every species is unique and there are no degrees of uniqueness. A species is a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other.”

With any luck, this may stimulate him to resurrect  “The Lingua File”

Royalty-free Photo from Unsplash

Meanwhile, Dictionary.com has a cracker for you: bissextile - noun - the leap year.

• First recorded in 1585–95.
• From the word bissextus, which refers to February 29th.
• Bissextus means literally “the second sixth,” so called because the 6th day before the first day of March in the ancient Roman calendar appeared a second time once every leap year.

Our nice royalty-free photo comes from PEXELS.  (we searched for a photo of “leap year”)  

Jacinta

The given name Jacinta is the feminine form of old European masculine name known across the West as

• Jácint in Hungarian language
• Jacenty in Polish
• Jacinto in Spanish and Portuguese.

Variants in English or other languages include Hyacinth, Hyacintha, Jacinda, Jacintha, Jacinthe, Jacynthe, Jesinta, Jaxine or Giacinta.

As an English name, the name is mostly used in New Zealand and Australia.  -  Wikipedia

In any case, it was lovely today, hearing Jacinda Goodwin tell us about developments at Werribee Park Zoo, and especially about the endangered Plains-Wanderer. 

Jill Weeks passes on the request: “Suggestions for speakers are always welcome. If you have any recommendations for speakers please feel free to let us know.”

Bling

Changeover coming up? Lots of preparation has gone into the event.

Is President-elect Dorothy agog with anticipation? Will President Doug breathe a huge sigh of relief? All will be revealed on the Fourth of June. 

We just know we will look great, and have a lovely time. And of course we all know to “dress comfortable and classy”. 

But whatever you do, don’t forget your Rotary bling!

Royalty-free photo from PEXELS

DIK Open Day

Lesley McCarthy reminds us of DIK’s Open Day on Saturday 10th August, with tours every hour. 

New members will get a real eye-opener as they wander around our woolshed in West Footscray.

As we are planning for several forms of catering and a coffee van, we would like everyone to indicate attendance through Humanitix please.

https://events.humanitix.com/donations-in-kind-open-day

TTFN