-----Original Message-----
From: Horsley, Mark
Sent:
To: Wong, Bobo
Subject: FW: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
The crescendo of my working day will
be when I can go home!
-----Original Message-----
From: Wordsmith [mailto:wsmith@wordsmith.org]
Sent:
To: linguaphile@wordsmith.org
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
crescendo (kri-SHEN-do) noun,
plural crescendos, crescendi
1. A
gradual increase in loudness, intensity, or force.
2. The
peak or climax.
adjective, adverb
With a gradual increase in loudness.
verb intr.
To grow in
force, loudness, intensity, etc.
[From Italian crescendo (growing),
present participle of crescere (to increase), from
Latin crescere (to grow). Ultimately from Indo-European root ker- (to grow) that's also the source of other words such
as increase, recruit, crew, crescent, cereal, concrete, and Spanish crecer (to grow).]
Crescendo is used as a direction in music. In
written music, it's shown with a < sign. The opposite is diminuendo or
decrescendo which is depicted by a >. Strictly speaking, crescendo is the
process, not the end result. It refers to a gradual increase, not a peak, but
popular usage has extended the sense of the word and it's often used to refer
to the moment when something has reached its peak.
"A
crescendo of boos rises from the crowd as a madman tackles the bull
by its horns wrestling it to the ground, turning to cheers
as enraged
Spaniards
set to him with boots and sticks."
Karl
Gardner; A Load of Bull;
This week's theme: words from music.
I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule
myself. -Pietro Aretino,
satirist and dramatist (1492-1556)
This message was sent to
"MarkH@pearsoned.com.hk".
-----Original Message-----
From: Wong, Bobo
Sent:
To: Horsley, Mark
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
That would be the anticlimax of my
day :-(
-----Original Message-----
From: Horsley, Mark
Sent:
To: Wong, Bobo
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
YOU ARE SICK, MS. WONG! PLEASE SEE A
PSCHIATRIST TODAY BEFORE YOU SAY OTHER SILLY THINGS THAT WILL SUGGEST YOU
SHOULD BE ADMITTED.
-----Original Message-----
From: Wong, Bobo
Sent:
To: Horsley, Mark
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
The anticlimax of my day being YOUR
LEAVING THE OFFICE!!!!!!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Horsley, Mark
Sent:
To: Wong, Bobo
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
OIC! SORRY (and a million more)! :-)
-----Original Message-----
From: Wong, Bobo
Sent:
To: Horsley, Mark
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
Don't get the wrong impression that
we celt people are all morose workaholics!!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Horsley, Mark
Sent:
To: Wong, Bobo
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
I certainly don't get that impression
when I see you swan into the office around
-----Original Message-----
From: Wong, Bobo
Sent:
To: Horsley, Mark
Subject: RE: A.Word.A.Day--crescendo
That is the only way of guaranteeing
a super effective day of work :-)