Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2019 January 29

Language desk
< January 28 << Dec | January | Feb >> January 30 >
Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.


January 29

edit

Baritarian

edit

In Aptitudes and Instructional Methods (Cronbach & Snow, 1977) the authors refer to Guilford's factor analytic model of abilities, describing it as a model that "enthrones a multitude of abilities in Baritarian equality" (p. 152). Aside from a popular animated character, what does "Baritarian" refer to? I found it used again in the 1905 Convention Proceedings of the Louisiana Bankers' Association, but that doesn't really give a definition of the word. It's also not in any popular dictionary. Starting from what I know: it's an adjective based on a person's name. Perhaps it has to do with the Black Sea or a Russian person, like the animated character. Can anyone help? I suppose it needs a page on Wiktionary, so if that ups the ante for you to help, so be it. I appreciate you sharing any information you can find. Schyler (exquirito veritatem bonumque) 20:18, 29 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Looking at a Google Books search for "Baritarian" reveals that most/all instances involve a misspelling or alternate spelling of "Baratarian". Barataria is both a real place and a location used in fiction, starting with Don Quixote. The reference to Baritarian equality could refer to equality in Barataria as described in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers. See this article, titled Gilbert & Sullivan take a logical look at equality: "So the two gondoliers and their fellows set out for Barataria and jointly reign over a society in which everybody is a Lord-High-Somingthingorother." - Lindert (talk) 21:31, 29 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
"For every one who feels inclined,
Some post we undertake to find
Congenial with his frame of mind —
And all shall equal be.
The Chancellor in his peruke —
The Earl, the Marquis, and the Dook,
The Groom, the Butler, and the Cook —
They all shall equal be.
The Noble Lord who rules the State —
The Noble Lord who cleans the plate —
The Noble Lord who scrubs the grate —
They all shall equal be!"
70.67.193.176 (talk) 22:21, 30 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]