December 30, 2008

tacit \TAS-it\, adjective:

1. implied or understood without being openly expressed
2. saying nothing; silent

c 1575, from French tacite, from Latin tacitus "that is passed over in silence, done without words, assumed, silent," from tacere "to be silent," from Proto Indo-European base *tak- "to be silent."

brickberry

• A term for the old, outdated phone you have to use when your current phone breaks.

"It takes me ten minutes to type a text message on this brickberry now that my iPhone broke, but at least i get to play snake."

Trivia

What country used hot-air balloons as the world’s first airborne ambulances?

• France, in 1870. The balloons were used to evacuate 160 wounded from Paris during a Prussian siege.

Today in History:

• Gadsden Purchase: was signed, acquiring for the US the land of southern New Mexico and Arizona from Mexico (1853)
• The Pirates of Penzance: Gilbert and Sullivan operetta was first staged (1879)
• USSR: was established when Russia joined Byelorussia, Ukraine and the Transcaucasian Federation (1922)
• Saddam Hussein: Iraqi dictator was executed by hanging for war crimes in the Dujail massacre (2006)

Today's Birthdays:

• Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936): Nobel-winning writer, The Jungle Book
• Bo Diddley (1928-2008): rock 'n' roll pioneer; also, musicians Paul Stookey (71), Michael Nesmith (66), Davy Jones (63), Patti Smith (62), Rob Hotchkiss (48) and Tyrese (30)
• James Burrows (68): sitcom director, Cheers, Will and Grace
• Tracey Ullman (49): actor, The Tracey Ullman Show; also, actors Joseph Bologna and Russ Tamblyn (both 74), Fred Ward (66), Sheryl Lee Ralph and Patricia Kalember (both 52), Daniel Sunjata (37), Jason Behr (35), Eliza Dushku (28) and Kristin Kreuk (26)
• LeBron James (24): Cavalier's No. 23; athletes Sandy Koufax (73), Tiger Woods (33), A.J. Pierzynski (32) and Ryan Sheckler (19) also celebrate birthdays today

Quote:

• "I cannot sing, dance or act; what else would I be but a talk show host?" — David Letterman