Sunday, June 24, 2007

Vacare Brain

After today's sermon I need a "vacatio" (per Webster, etymology: Middle English vacacioun, from Anglo-French vacacion, from Latin vacation-, vacatio, freedom, exemption). The wonderful thing about Latin is that since there are no Latins left, we can argue the meanings of their words endlessly. I think Charlie meant to say during the announcements that vacation derives from "vacare" which means lack, to be free of, as in vacant, or vacuum. Therefore, we are excused (with the Church's blessing) to take some time off and be vacant. My mind went vacant after the first 10 minutes. The rest of the time I had a nice vacation without ever leaving my pew.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous9:32 PM

    In my best seminary Latin: Vox populi suprema lex esto.

    I use this phrase because I don't know how to say "squeaky wheel" in Latin. Nonetheless, mirabile dictu, word from the vestry is that the idea of lowering the altar has been abandoned.

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