December 21, 2008

kibbutz \ki-BOOTS\, noun:

• an Israeli communal settlement, especially a farm co-operative

by 1931, from modern Hebrew qibbus "gathering," from Hebrew "a gathering together," from root of qibbes "he gathered together." Plural is kibbutzim.

douchechill

• Said by Dr. Tobias Funke in "Arrested Development", it implies a situation that is very awkward and uncomfortable for all parties. Also means someone who sucks at life, therefore making everyone around them uncomfortable.

Wow, Lucas is being a real douchechill.

Trivia

How many Emmys did TV comedy legend Jackie Gleason win for his portrayal of blustery bus driver Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners?

• None. Art Carney was the only Honeymooners cast member to win an Emmy for his performance in the sitcom.

Today in History:

• Pilgrims: went ashore at Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620)
• crossword puzzle: Liverpudlian journalist Arthur Wynne published the first "word-cross" puzzle, in The New York World (1913)
• Lockerbie: a terrorist bomb exploded aboard a Pan Am Boeing 747 over the Scottish city, killing all 259 people onboard and 11 on the ground (1988)

Today's Birthdays:

• Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881): English PM
• Rebecca West (1892-1983): novelist and critic; novelist Heinrich Boll (1917-1985) shared this birth date
• Michael Tilson Thomas (64): composer and conductor; rock musician Frank Zappa (1940-1993) was also born on this date
• Samuel L. Jackson (60): actor, recipient of 2008's American Cinematheque Award; also, actors Ed Nelson (80), Jane Fonda (71), Larry Bryggman (70), Jane Kaczmarek (53), Ray Romano (51), Andy Dick (43), Kiefer Sutherland and Karri Turner (both 42) and Julie Delpy (39)
• Chris Evert (54): tennis pro; athletes Joe Paterno (82), Florence Griffith-Joyner (1959-1998), Karrie Webb (34) and Jackie Stiles (30) were also born on this date