Re Cuniculandia, the Wikipedia Phoenicia article currently says that “the name Spain comes from the Phoenician word Sapan, which means ‘that which is hidden’.”
Another book I’d like to get hold of: Industrias y andanzas de Alfanhuí by (1951) Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio, apparently “the story of a boy who is kicked out of school for writing in an unintelligible alphabet.” It cannot possibly have been as bad as Rotor, but teachers were probably stricter then.
Someone has picked up on my pechelingue post and introduced it into the Spanish Wikipedia (“la expresión inglish pichinglish”, March 2005). A link back would have been cool, as would a scientific health warning.
Disputes that in England might be settled by single combat (thanks Transblawg) are often resolved here using anonymous notes left in the entrance hall: We request of a resident of this building (specifically of the rear façade) that out of consideration for the [right to] rest of the remaining residents she moderate her tone of…
From the Washington Post: “Asked to respond to reports that Arafat is brain-dead, [French foreign minister Michel] Barnier replied, ‘I wouldn’t say that.'”
Ik had me wel ‘s afgevraagd waarom Sinterklaas gedichtjes niet hoefden te rijmen, tenminste niet op de ons bekende wijze. Antwoord heb ik gevonden in een heel geinig rijmpje van Andries Pels (1631-1681): Men bindt ons échter niet aan zulke naauwe wétten,Dat juist in `t rijm op élk een’ létter sta te létten;O neen; wanneer…
