The word of the day1 for March 6, 2007 is “temerity” — noun 1 : unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger or opposition : RASHNESS, RECKLESSNESS. 2 : an act or instance of temerity.
I’ve been reminding people all last week and this that I am not omniscient. That’s right; I cannot know everything. I have been lucky that, in my career as answer-person. When I don’t really know—or have forgotten—the answer, I’ve gotten really good at making up something plausible. Much of the time I do get it right. Still, I am very careful to preface any bogus response with “IN MY OPINION.”
Sometimes I have to think about it a bit, so I go off on a rambling discourse to help me think. If my querant’s eye begin to glaze over, I know they have heard enough. When I haven’t a clue, time to make up an answer, or time for research, I usually give the questioner the source I would use and tell them to let me know what they find out. I learn all sorts of things that way.
The quote2 for today is from Titus Livius (Livy) (59 B.C.–A.D. 17), Histories, XXVIII, 42:
Temerity is not always successful..
;^) Jan
1 The definition is from either Merriam-Webster Online, 10th Edition or The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition and is used by permission.
2 The quote is from either Bartleby: Great Books on Line or The Quotation Pages and is used by permission.
2 The quote is from either Bartleby: Great Books on Line or The Quotation Pages and is used by permission.
P.S.: Comments and word requests are welcome.
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