Thought this was an interesting read from a web site I came across recently. Certainly explains a lot.
Cheers, Oz
Here we are going into an exhaustive illustration on the definition of
words. This will give you a better idea of what is meant by define a
word. We will go into all the derivations of the word Parliament and
parliamentary. When you go into the derivations, this will often lead you
into other derivations, which may lead you to others, etc.. For this
illustration, Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.
We'll begin with the word 'Parliament'.
Parliament:
\ par-la-ment also parl-ya n [ME,. fr OF parlement fr
parler] (Note: this is the way you'll find it in your dictionary. These
are your derivations and root words of the word parliament. ME
stands for Middle English. Fr, stands for French. These are the root
words you need to trace down to find the true and correct meaning of this
word. We'll look up these roots and derivations after the definition) 1.
A formal conference for the discussion of public affairs, specifically: a
council of state in early medieval England. 2. A: an
assemblage of the nobility, clergy, and commons called together by the
British sovereign as the supreme legislative body in the United
Kingdom. 2b. : a similar assemblage in another or state
3 a: the supreme legislative body of a usu major political
unit that is a continuing institution comprising a series of
individual assemblages. 3b : the British House of Commons 4.
One of several principle courts of justice existing in France before the
revolution of 1789.
Now, we must look up the word 'nobility' as used above. Nobility: 1:
the quality or state of being noble in character, quality, or rank. 2:
the body of persons forming the noble class in a country or state:
ARISTOCRACY.
Next,
we must look up Aristocracy: (I'll skip the derivations and roots here
because of space. For a complete understanding, however, you should also
follow up on each of these. You'll be amazed what comes from all
this. It will certainly change your understanding and your life.). 1.
government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class. 3
: a governing body or upper class usually made up an hereditary
nobility. 4 : the aggregate of those believed to be superior.
Next,
let's look up the word “common
Flipping the bird
This question was asked in the Senate, Aug 11th.
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Trade: Overseas Travel
(Question No. 713 and 715)QuestionSenator Chris Evans (Western Australia) asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 4 May 2005:
For each financial year since 2000-01 to 2004-05 to date:
(2) (a) Who did the Minister meet during the visit; and (b) what were the times and dates of each meeting.
(3) (a) On how many of these trips was the Minister accompanied by a business delegation; and (b) can details be provided of any delegation accompanying the Minister.
(3) (a) On how many of these trips was the Minister accompanied by a business delegation; and (b) can details be provided of any delegation accompanying the Minister.
(8) (a)What was the total cost of air charters used by the Minister or his/her office or department; and (b) how many occasions did the Minister or his/her office or department and/or agency charter aircraft, and in each case, what was the name of the charter company that provided the service and the respective costs.
[The kind of thing that would have been pursued in Estimates, in a bygone era.]
Senator Hill (South Australia—Minister for Defence)—The Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of himself and the Minister for Trade, has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:
I consider that the preparation of answers to the questions placed on notice would involve a significant diversion of resources and, in the circumstances, I do not consider that the additional work can be justified.
In other words - shove it up your jumper!