Monday, May 01, 2006

Whisker, doing the right thing, strong drink

I hear, on the platform at Tunbridge Wells station, a middle aged man describe a vehicle as using "only a whisker of petrol".

"He wasn't clever, but he always did the right thing". Lord Fisher, First Sea Lord in World War I on Edward VII. Two English virtues described in one brief sentence.

Now here's a word to enjoy: Potvaliant. It is to be found in Johnson's Dictionary, and means heated with courage by strong drink.

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