03 January 2010

little augury words: sycophant

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A sycophant* will everything admire: 
Each verse, 
Each sentence, 
sets his soul on fire. 
Dryden
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 Yet there was none of the SYCOPHANT* or fawner in Billings;
ordinarily I do not wax enthusiastic about men, 
but this man Billings comes as close to my conception
of what a regular man should be as any I have ever met.
edgar rice burroughs



1530–40; < L sȳcophanta < Gk sȳkophántēs informer,
equiv. to sŷko(n) fig + phan- (s. of phaínein to show) + -tēs agentive suffix



toady, yes man, flunky, fawner, flatterer



*now Appearing in the little augury mail box

always-remarks about the author of little augury and her failings will be printed, however remarks about my readers and theirs are not.
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13 comments:

  1. Touché - or well, I suppose! You're so fun and classy too.
    Mes hommages!

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  2. It stings for sure, but I think it's best. Feel free to give me a shout if any arrow pierces the flesh; I'm covered in scars.

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  3. L.A. -You are deliciously clever. I don't know if I'm witty enough to follow your blog, but I'm up for the challenge.

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  4. thanks, I think!? It seems if I get enough readers I will be subject to and ready for the slings and arrows so to speak-But at this point-it just seems for some reason those commenting are the recipients-No fair, no go. I hope this is the right choice-it serves on purpose to insult la readers, I may drive them away at some point-God forbid!

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  5. You'll not drive me away. One of the best blogs there is.

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  6. Oh, boy. A shame it has to occur, but it HAS to occur. Civility is a tender, yet critical detail in this blog-world. We've not an extra feeling to spare in this era of 24 hour a day media onslaught, how on earth does one manage negativity for a bloggy reader who disagrees? Best that you gently remind, and if not, all-out save them the energy, than allow this lovely salon become an angry coffee-house of angst, bitterness, and mud-slinging. No, indeed. Well, done, my Friend.

    Honestly, Gaye, I run menu's which are a matter of historical fact without opinion's attached and get letters. Hardly controversial! HA!Every morning around three I lose some readers. I have to believe it is best all around and new ones will be found.

    One wildly sucessful blogger noted for me a few months ago, "I've had entire days ruined by something it took an asshole 10 seconds to type." That is the nature of the thing, unfortuntely.

    I adore you. And my fellow commenters here. Stay your course, I'm with you.

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  7. Blushing that quote"I've had entire days ruined by something it took an asshole 10 seconds to type." is post worthy! Love it. xx!

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  8. Sycophant is good, but I hew more to the vulgar. Most ass-kissers miss the delicate stab of Greek. The arse- crawlers really don't get it, as they tend to be spelunking in places they shouldn't be. Bootlickers aren't always ass-kissers, and sometimes neither of those sets are sycophants, but I think the dedicated amateurs understand not to take offense when you're referring to professionals.

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  9. My dear Gaye,

    You have NO failings but a tender heart and that is an asset to be reckoned with!! Pity the poor sod (or sodette) who leaves a callous remark because his skin is obviously so thick that he has forgotten what a gentle touch is...or a kind word...or a loving glance....and the only way he can feel anything is by sending words of malice across cyberspace. Poor little thing.

    Happy first year anniversary. You are truly a rare bird in the blogosphere and my heart beats in anticipation of all the delicious posts that 2010 will bring...!

    xx/lisa

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  10. Gracious All. I think I might be a Saint! Kind words are always welcome. Comments about readers are a noNo here-running them away with derogatives I can not afford. Anon. got it off the chest and feels better! GT

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  11. Cheeky. But Well Said.
    Anon.

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