and he notes - The term "h__l" is cognate to "hole" (cavern) and "hollow". It's a nomenclature formed from the Anglo-Saxon "helan" or "behelian" ergo - "to hide". (note the contraction of the second word as what we sometimes call a brat!).
Then by derivation "h__l" denotes a dark and hidden place. In Norse mythology "Hel" is the goddess of the underworld. Only those who fall in battle can enter Valhalla; the rest go down to "Hel" in the underworld, which is apparently not a place of punishment, but more a place of being hidden or absent from Valhalla. In English, it is obviously a substituted word, more than likely occurring when ancient Hebrew writings were translated. The extra "l" at the end is a typical treatment to force the soft pronunciation of "e" as "eh" as in well. It's meaning in modern religions is obvious. It, as well as a plethora of others, are used all too frequently in colloquial English. One problem crops up on the Internet (especially emails) is that some spam filters will and often do quarantine messages containing the word (among others, of course). Eudora (the email program I use) will flag outgoing messages and suggest I tone it down. Putting it quotes can circumvent most filters (or omitting the middle letters) will also avoid quarantine programs. This would be appropriate if I were quoting Sherman's saying during the Civil War or some other direct quote. But English is such a vibrant language that using mild oaths is really unnecessary. To say that "getting old is H__l" may be an opinion more than a fact. It doesn't make it as "getting old is Heck", but "getting old is a pain" does say pretty much the same thing and not only offends no one but gets the point across - and, it's good English.. I see no reason to use inappropriate language on this forum and when it is used, the Moderator's comments are more welcome than critical. My opinion, of course... Raleigh in Maine where there is no.. (you know..) At 08:51 PM 7/25/2005, Tom Hawley wrote: >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Don Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >. . . . . . .let us know which words you consider to be profane . . . . . . >. . . . > > > > > > > >But the context means so much. If I tell you to go to h__l, that's cursing >or "cussin'" and in our context, probably inappropriate. > >If I say you're a h__l of a man, that vulgar and uncalledfor in this yahoo >group. > >If the preacher say you should repent or you'll go to h__l, that's his job >to say that. > >If a man survives and returns from war and says war is h__l, that's a plain >statement of fact, neither cursing nor vulgar. > >And in Livingston County Michigan, if you travel west out of the village of >Pinckney, you'll come to . . . . . . . . >http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==2456 > >Tom Hawley -- Lansing Michigan > > > > > > > >To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use >REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list. > >Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, view shared files or >photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > To REPLY to the list, use REPLY ALL; to reply to the sender, use REPLY. For those of you on DIGEST mode, all REPLY messages go to the list. Change message settings, use our CALENDAR or LINKS, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
