ANST - "parasite" ... a new designation

[j'lynn yeates]

On 8 Feb 99, at 14:47, Decker, Terry D. wrote:

> ...  In Greek, a parasitos is a person who eats at someone elses table.  The
> word is derived from para (near) + sitos (grain, food).  It may be that
> Athenaus was using the term to describe what he thought the Celtic clan and
> retainer system represented.  Equally, a bard could not be considered a
> parasite. His ransom was as that of the lord he served and he was required by
> his position to provide counsel even when it contradicted the lord's ideas. 
> In essence, he was an extension of the lord rather than a servitor or
> sycophant.    

love learning new words, finding new uses for old, and exploring their genesis 
(some day want the CD version of the OED loaded up full-time).  the source i 
was working through alluded to the differences in bard's social status, a side 
thread i wanted to look further intp  

> In Rome, the parasitus was a person who lived by entertaining the rich.

so, a "parasitus" equates to a "stand up philosopher" ????  

> In these enlightened times, we call them professional dinner guests.

many years back we used to call them "professional royalty" (++g)

thanks for the expansion of concept ... especially for the tie-in with the 
"client" system, had'na thought it that far forward and ties into another 
conversation thread.

'wolf

... When we hunt, we all function with one mind
... - Boingo, Pedestrian Wolves
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