March 09, 2009, 13:10
BobHaleBuxom?
Quote from episode one of a new series, Railway Walks, exploring some of the disused tracks around the UK.
"Once upon a time this route was filled with buxom busy express trains."
Buxom trains?
March 09, 2009, 13:56
zmježdWell, one of the definitions is "[h]ealthily plump and ample of figure" (A-H). And, train aficionados are a strange bunch. And, while I'm free associating, I've often thought that cow catchers were a bit like bustles (in or out of a hedgerow).
March 09, 2009, 15:33
arnieI can't understand the phrase myself.
To change the subject a little Word of the Week on Nancy Friedman's
Fritinancy blog is
foamer, which is apparently the US nickname for train buffs, what we in the UK would call a trainspotter.
March 09, 2009, 15:43
Richard EnglishIn the UK we usually call them "anoraks".
On my last trip across the USA on AMTRAK I only met one anorak/foamer/trainspotter. He was frequently ensconced in the vestibule of our coach (US car) and spent his time checking the progress of our train as it wended its slow way from Seattle to Chicago.
Most of those we met simply preferred to travel by train (as was the case for me). I wouldn't think it was a necessity for anyone - unless they were unable for some reason to fly. The flight cost no more than the rail and would cover the distance in a few hours and not two days.
March 09, 2009, 17:03
jerry thomasRichard, did the anorak/foamer/trainspotter explain why it was easier or more convenient to check the slow progress of the wending train while ensconced in the vestibule of the car rather than simply looking out the window?
March 09, 2009, 20:50
KallehI looked up "buxom" (the adjective) in the OED, fully expecting to find something about large breasts. Here are all the definitions. I must say, I was surprised:
quote:
I. Easily bowed or bent. 1. Morally. {dag}a. Obedient; pliant; compliant, tractable
Submissive, humble, meek.
Gracious, indulgent, favourable; obliging, amiable, courteous, affable, kindly
with inf.: Easily moved, prone, ready
Physically: Flexible, pliant. Yielding to pressure, unresisting
II. Blithe, jolly, well-favoured.
3. Blithe, gladsome, bright, lively, gay.
Full of health, vigour, and good temper; well-favoured, plump and comely, ‘jolly’, comfortable-looking (in person). (Chiefly of women.)
Perhaps they meant "lively" or "vigorous."
March 10, 2009, 01:41
Richard Englishquote:
Richard, did the anorak/foamer/trainspotter explain why it was easier or more convenient to check the slow progress of the wending train while ensconced in the vestibule of the car rather than simply looking out the window?
He didn't - but I worked that out for myself. If you want to use the other windows you have a seat next to them - which stops the neck-craning that is so important to rail anoraks. Plus, whenever the train stopped, he was right by the door and ready to leap out and investigate the rail-nut chracteristics of the station.
March 10, 2009, 06:17
goofyquote:
Originally posted by Kalleh:
I. Easily bowed or bent.
1. Morally. †a. Obedient; pliant; compliant, tractable
buxom might be from Old English
būgan "to bend". This would make it cognate with
bow and
bagel.
March 10, 2009, 20:57
KallehBagel??? Really? How interesting!
March 13, 2009, 12:35
goofyFrom the Old High German word for "ring".
March 13, 2009, 17:51
<Asa Lovejoy>quote:
Originally posted by goofy:
From the Old High German word for "ring".
Oh, yeah, the Ring of The Nubile Lungs!