[Bards] What is a bard?

[John Hirling]

Perhaps I can help here (tongue firmly in cheek):

On Jan 7, 2008 11:02 AM, Jay Rudin <rudin at ev1.net> wrote:

> <snip>
> I can't even give a clear definition for "dog" that unambiguously includes
> Great Danes, Pekinese, mutts and feral dogs, but excludes tame wolves,
> foxes and coyotes.  Nonetheless, I knew what a dog was by age 4.  How was
> I
> taught the meaning?  By pointing -- "That's a dog, that's one too, but
> that's a cat."
>
> dog    /dɔg, dɒg/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dawg, dog
] noun, verb, dogged, dog·ging. –noun 1.a domesticated canid, *Canis
familiaris,* bred in many varieties. 2.any carnivore of the dogfamily
Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and
slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect
ears. Compare canid <http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=canid>. 3.the
male of such an animal. 4.any of various animals resembling a dog. 5.a
despicable man or youth. 6.Informal. a fellow in general: a lucky dog.  7.dogs,
Slang. feet. <http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=feet> 8.Slang.
a.something
worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
b.an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.  9.Slang. an
ugly, boring, or crude person. 10.Slang. hot
dog.<http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hot%20dog>
11.(initial capital letter) Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis
Major or Canis Minor. 12.Machinery. a.any of various mechanical devices, as
for gripping or holding something. b.a projection on a moving part for
moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.  13.Also
called gripper <http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=gripper>,
nipper.<http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=nipper>
Metalworking. a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
14.a cramp binding together two timbers. 15.an iron bar driven into a stone
or timber to provide a means of lifting it. 16.an andiron; firedog. 17.
Meteorology. a sundog or fogdog. 18.a word formerly used in communications
to represent the letter D. –verb (used with object) 19.to follow or track
like a dog, esp. with hostile intent; hound. 20.to drive or chase with a dog
or dogs. 21.Machinery. to fasten with dogs. —Idioms22.dog it, Informal. a.to
shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job. b.to retreat, flee, renege,
etc.: a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.  23.go to the dogs, Informal.
to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going
to the dogs.  24.lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed
existence: He maintained that he led a dog's life in the army.  25.let
sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing
situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities. 26.put on
the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on
airs.
------------------------------
[Origin: bef. 1050; ME *dogge,* OE *docga*]


Yet, I'm fairly sure if I call myself a dog, that doesn't make me one.
Sorry -- couldn't resist.
~ihon
-- 
" When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by
one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." Edmund Burke
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