Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2009 July 14

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July 14

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What

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What is "Sun tanner": image caption?174.3.103.39 (talk) 07:50, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I expect it's a tanning lamp. --Anonymous, 11:00 UTC, July 14, 2009.

Translation please

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Zerfall in diverse Nebenlinien

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[[Datei:Hanstheyounger.jpg|thumb|upright|Das Herzogtum Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg wurde durch Johann III. begründet und zerfiel nach seinem Tod in zahlreiche Duodezherzogtümer]]

Nach dem Tod Herzog Johanns 1622 wurde das Herzogtum unter den erbberechtigten Söhnen aufgeteilt und aus dem Haus Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg gingen mehrere Nebenlinien hervor. Die Namen der einzelnen Linien wurden um den jeweiligen Residenzort ergänzt, die Söhne Herzog Alexanders – ein Sohn Herzog Johanns – erhielten oder erwarben zum Teil Territorien außerhalb Schleswig-Holsteins zu ihrer Versorgung.

Einige der neu entstandenen Teilherzogtümer verfügten nur über wenige Quadratkilometer Grundbesitz und ihre Herren waren nur Titularherzöge. Die neuen Linien hatten zum Teil nur kurzen Bestand und fielen durch Erbfälle oder Konkurse an die anderen Linien oder auch an das dänische Königshaus.

  1. Das Haus Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg wurde weitergeführt durch Herzog Alexander, residierend im Sonderburger Schloss. Nach einem Konkurs 1667 ging der Sonderburger Anteil der Herzogtums an den dänischen König. Aus der Linie gingen unter anderem hervor
    1. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Franzhagen mit Sitz auf Schloss Franzhagen bei Schulendorf, begründet durch Herzog Hans Christian
    2. Die sogenannte katholische Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, begründet durch Herzog Alexander Heinrich
    3. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg mit Sitz auf Schloss Wiesenburg in Sachsen, begründet durch Herzog Philipp Ludwig
    4. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, begründet durch Herzog Ernst Günther residierend im Schloss Augustenborg. Die Linie erlosch 1931, ihr bekanntestes Mitglied war Auguste Viktoria, die letzte deutsche Kaiserin.
    5. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, begründet durch Herzog August Philipp. Hieraus ging später hervor
      1. Die jüngere Linie des Hauses Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, heute zumeist Haus Glücksburg genannt. Begründet 1825 durch einen Nachfahren Johanns III., Herzog Friedrich Wilhelm. Familienmitglieder dieses Zweiges gehören bis heute zum europäischen Hochadel und stellen unter anderem die aktuellen Königshäuser von Dänemark und Norwegen, sowie mit Philip Mountbatten, Herzog von Edinburgh den Prinzgemahl der britischen Königin Elisabeth II.
  2. Die ältere Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, begründet durch Herzog Philipp, residierend auf Schloss Glücksburg in Glücksburg. Die Linie erlosch 1779.
  3. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Ærø, begründet durch Herzog Christian, residierend in Ærøskøbing. Herzog Christian starb 1633 ohne Nachfahren und sein Besitz wurde unter den übrigen Söhnen Johanns III. aufgeteilt.
  4. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön, begründet 1623 durch Herzog Joachim Ernst, residierend auf dem Plöner Schloss in Plön. Die Linie erlosch 1761. Aus ihr ging hervor
    1. Die Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön-Rethwisch, begründet durch Joachim Ernst II., residierend in Rethwisch. Diese Linie erlosch bereits 1729.
    2. Die jüngere Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg, begründet durch August von Schleswig-Holstein-Norburg-Plön. Diese Linie wurde durch Herzog Joachim Friedrich 1706 wieder mit dem Plöner Herzogtum zusammen geführt.
  5. Die ältere Linie Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg, begründet durch Herzog Johann Adolf, residierend auf Schloss Nordborg auf Alsen. Nach einem Konkurs 1669 wird der Besitz 1679 der Plöner Linie zugeschlagen.


The dukey Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg was founded by Johann III. and split after his death into several smaller ducheys. After the death of Duke Johann in 1622 the land was split between the elegible heirs and from each of their Houses there branched out several bylines. The names of the bylines were amended with the name of the place of residency, while the sons of Duke Alexander, a son of Johann, were given or aquired territories outside of Schleswig-Holstein for provision. (This sentence makes little sense in the German text as well. It would be better to split it in two)

Some of the new ducheys consisted of only a few square kilometers of land and their Lords were only duke by name. Some of he new lines had only a brief existence before going extinct either because of bankruptcy or lack of heir. Their land was seither given to other lines or to the danish royalty.

  1. The house Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg was founded by Duke Alexander, residing in Sonderburg Castle. After bankruptcy in 1667 the sonderburgian part of the duchey went to the Danish King. Form his line branched out the following bylines:
    1. The Line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Franzhagen with residency in Castle Franzhagen near Schulendorf, founded by Duke Hans Christian.
    2. The so called catholic line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg, founded by Duke Alexander Heinrich.
    3. The line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg with residency at Wiesenburg Castle in Saxony, founded by Duke Philipp Ludwig.
    4. The line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg founded by Duke Ernst Günther residing in Augustenbourg Castle. The line expired in 1931, most notable member was Auguste Victoria, the last German Queen.
    5. The line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck founded by Duke August Philipp out of which rose the
      1. The younger line of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, commonly named House Glücksburg today. Founded in 1825 by a descendant of Johann III., Duke Friedrich Wilhelm. Members of this line still belong to the european high nobility and provide the royal houses of Denmark, Norway and with Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinbourough husband to Queen Elizabeth II.
  2. The older line of House Glücksburg, founded by Duke Philipp residing in Castle Glücksburg in Glücksburg. The line went extinct in 1779.
  3. The line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Ærø founded by Duke Christian,residing at Ærøskøbing. After the Dukes heirless death in 1633 his land was divideed between the remaining lines of the sons of Johann III.
  4. The line Schleswig-Holstein-SOnderburg-Plön, founded in 1623 by Duke Joachim Ernst II. residing in Plön Castle in Plön the line expired in 1761. From it were founded:
    1. The line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön-Rethwisch founded by Joachim Ernst II., residing in Retwisch. The line expired in 1729.
    2. The younger line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg founded by August von Schleswig-Holstein-Norburg-Plön. The line was unified again with the Plön line in 1706 by Duke Joachim Fridrich.
  5. The older line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg founded by Duke Johann Adolf residing in Nordborg Castle upon Alsen. After bancruptcy in 1669 the posessions went to the Plön line in 1679.

Not perfect, but maybe usable --91.6.61.162 (talk) 09:48, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I can't comment on the accuracy of the translation, but "duchey" should be "duchy", plural "duchies". AndrewWTaylor (talk) 11:49, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Some brief comments:
The term Duodezherzogtum is a pun, meaning a small and irrelevant duchy. It is equivalent to a microstate. Duodez itself is a printing format (below an octavo).
Point 1 says "weitergeführt", meaning that the line Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg was continued by Duke Alexander (the founder had been Duke John).
Point 1.4 states that Augusta Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein was empress of the German Empire, not its queen. She was queen of Prussia, but that is beside the point. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 19:47, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
That's really too long to correct in one go. I would discourage putting it in an article even with Cockatoo's corrections. Genealogy is not a field I know well, but there are several language issues with the text. I'd suggest finding a collaborator at wikipedia babel or putting in a "request for translation" (Can't link that right now.) What you call "line" would probably work better as "house" or "feudal house" for starters. Although there is a Founder effect in genetics, I don't think we would use that for family trees. I'd say starting from Duke Johann Adolf or even entirely different Duke Johann Adolf was granted the duchy of ... or s.th. like that. Also try posting on the talk page of an existing English page for a related house. You're more likely to find s.o. familiar with common wording and vocabulary there. 71.236.26.74 (talk) 20:42, 15 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Better words than byline include collateral line and cadet line (or branch). —Tamfang (talk) 15:32, 20 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Adjectival Form Of "Continuum"

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What is the adjectival form of "continuum", if there is one. If not, what is the adjectival form?174.3.103.39 (talk) 09:30, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, the continuous presence of homework questions on this board... TomorrowTime (talk) 12:04, 14 July 2009 (UTC) [reply]
Are you asking about English or Latin? In Latin "continuum" is already an adjective (continuus, continua, continuum, meaning "constant"). Adam Bishop (talk) 12:57, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
In mathematics (Continuum (mathematics)) it seems that "continuum" is used as an adjective in "continuum theory", "continuum hypothesis", etc. Failing that "of the continuum" seems quite popular. In more popular contexts (if you use the word in more popular contexts) "continuous"/"unbroken"/"non-discrete" etc would probably convey the same meaning. Do you have a particular sentence you want to write? --193.172.19.20 (talk) 13:30, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Note that continuous and non-discrete are also technical terms in mathematics, which do not have much to do with either of the two meanings of "continuum". — Emil J. 13:59, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
The mathematical usages aren't really as an adjective, but rather as a noun adjunct. The continuum hypothesis is a hypothesis about the continuum; continuum theory is the study of continua. Algebraist 20:45, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
It's "continuous", also you seem to have linked 'adjectival form' to 'derivation' in your first link - which is confusing, and I hope, a mistake..83.100.250.79 (talk) 16:16, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Well, when I bluelinked "adjectival form", I meant adjectival form of continuum as the root word + affix (most usually, suffix).
So an example sentence would be: "The german dialects gradually differentiate from north to south and east to west; that is, they are continic [sic].".174.3.103.39 (talk) 06:28, 18 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What is "intestinal hurrying"?174.3.103.39 (talk) 09:58, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Diarrhoea. --TammyMoet (talk) 10:21, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Same section: what is "Hoyer’s medium"?174.3.103.39 (talk) 10:08, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Same section: what is "solid plate" and "peritreme"?174.3.103.39 (talk) 10:11, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"Hoyer's medium" is Hoyer's Mounting Medium, see Chloral hydrate. "Peritreme" is the part of the exoskeleton surrounding a spiracle. "Solid plate" means solid plate :) in the context of the anatomy of the specific fly larva. Please also note that the Myiasis article, where these terms originally came from, has been edited repeatedly and heavily today; so none of the terms in question are there anymore, at least for now. Readers can use "history" and "compare" functionality of Wiki to see where these terms came from. --Dr Dima (talk) 19:04, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
(ec) Hoyer´s medium is a substance used as fixative / adhesive for mounting insects in a display case. Peritreme is the part of the integument of an insect which surrounds the spiracles. Solid plate, assuming this stills refers to insects, seems to be a part of a trap which is covered with insecticide. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 19:06, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
I understand that in the present context the "solid plate" term is used to describe the part of the exoskeleton of the larva in question. --Dr Dima (talk) 19:12, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Memorabilia

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If Memorabilia derives from a plural of the adjective memorābilis, is there a singular noun? What is it? AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 12:23, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

You can use "memorabilis" as a substantive adjective, "a memorable (thing)". (Well, in Latin, anyway. In English I guess you have to use "souvenir" or something.) Adam Bishop (talk) 12:55, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
In Latin, the singular of memorabilia (neuter plural) is memorabile (neuter singular). Memorabilis is masculine/feminine singular and so would mean "a memorable person" (of either sex) when substantivized, and would have the plural memorabiles. +Angr 13:13, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Ugh...that's right. I must still be asleep. Adam Bishop (talk) 13:21, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]


Memorabilis is a compound of memoria+habilis: "worthy of being remembered", ("habere memoriam"). Incidentally, notice the formation of a third declension adjective by means of the suffix -ĭlis/e, especially from verbal roots. E.g., habilis/debilis (habeo), nobilis (nosco), labilis (labor), ductilis (duco), agilis (ago), flebilis (fleo), facilis/difficilis (facio), futilis (fundo), utilis (utor), mobilis (moveo), missilis (mitto), reptilis (repo),...&c; it's a nice game finding other examples.--pma (talk) 18:41, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Pluralia tantum may be of interest. Pallida  Mors 17:42, 15 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Prowlers

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In the film Fargo they call police cars "Prowlers." Do they call them that in real life in Minnesota or elsewhere? Mike R (talk) 19:06, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It presumably derives from prowl car. Who then was a gentleman? (talk) 18:12, 15 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"Gief" etymology

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What is the origin of "gief" as a variant on "give"? Gief explanation! NeonMerlin 22:14, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I beleive the proper way of putting it would be: "gief explanation, nao!" :)TomorrowTime (talk) 06:59, 15 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
From the urban dictionary entry it seems to be another Internet slang respelling, like teh or pwn. Algebraist 22:19, 14 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Someone probably took it from an etymolgical dictionary of English -- gief is the West-Saxon singular imperative form of the Old English verb meaning "to give". By the way, in Old English the "g" of "gief" would actually have been pronounced with a "y" sound... AnonMoos (talk) 08:32, 15 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
What, historical etymologians playing pranks on the internets rather then a simple intentional corruption of the very likely fast-typing misspeling "giev"? Occam would be dissapointed... TomorrowTime (talk) 16:05, 15 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
There are a large number of English-language dictionaries (the more comprehensive ones with etymologies) which include the Old English infinitive form giefan as the source of the modern verb "to give". You don't actually have to know anything about etymology or language history to take note of that... AnonMoos (talk) 10:16, 16 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]
"-an" being the typical suffix to indicate an infinitive. Nyttend (talk) 02:27, 18 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]