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Terms Which Have Disappeared

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10,939
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My mother's basement
^^^^^
I'm a fan of those "drome" words too. Velodrome, for instance. I knew of a roller skating rink called the Rollerdrome. That was nearly half a century ago, so I suspect it is since defunct, as are most roller rinks. Great name, though.

EDIT: A cursory search indicates that "rollerdrome" is an almost generic term for roller skating rink. It appears there's a handful of rinks identified as such extant in the English speaking world.
 
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2jakes

I'll Lock Up
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9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
In Nice is the Hippodrome. If I hadn't learned the etymology of "hippopotamus" as a child I might have been confused.
A bigger mystery is why someone would name a movie and vaudeville theater built in 1914, near the inner harbor of Baltimore, the Hippodrome.

Mayhaps as an homage!

(I like saying "mayhaps"). :)

The hippodrome (Greek) was an ancient Grecian stadium for horse racing and chariot racing.

The name is derived from the Greek words hippos "horse" and dromos "course".
It's Roman counterpart was called a circus and is best represented by Circus Maximus.

Hippodrome represents one of the last "opulent" designs & is considered an outstanding
example of early 20th century theater by Thomas W. Lamb.

At least this is what Wiki told me last night!

As a kid, I thought it was a fancy vaudeville theater where
fat hippos performed trick acts while at the concession stand
Hippo soda water in glass bottles and buttered popcorn was
sold to the public.:D
 
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BlueTrain

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,073
I have come to the conclusion that the definition of a troll (Troll?) is, on many forums, anyone who dares to express a contrary opinion. Of course, we have no academy to say what the definition is, do we? But, on the other hand, a forum where personal (and contrary) opinions would be little more than a blog and not a forum at all.

Free speech is a priceless commodity, though it could be argued whether or not what appears here constitutes speech. At least it's free. If a corporation's political contributions count as speech because a corporation counts as a person, then anything goes.

The purpose of speech is presumably to communicate. Yet some choose their words to confuse, rather than to communicate understandably. Others choose their words to impress, no doubt. And a few, like myself, struggle sometimes to keep up with the conversation with those who are more worldly and better educated, at least in other fields, than I am. But I manage most of the time, provided I can get a word in edgewise. Some people seriously dominate a conversation. All the communication is one way. It is not a conversation.
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,766
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
Mayhaps as an homage!

(I like saying "mayhaps"). :)

The hippodrome (Greek) was an ancient Grecian stadium for horse racing and chariot racing.

The name is derived from the Greek words hippos "horse" and dromos "course".
It's Roman counterpart was called a circus and is best represented by Circus Maximus.

Hippodrome represents one of the last "opulent" designs & is considered an outstanding
example of early 20th century theater by Thomas W. Lamb.

At least this is what Wiki told me last night!

As a kid, I thought it was a fancy vaudeville theater where
fat hippos performed trick acts while at the concession stand
Hippo soda water in glass bottles and buttered popcorn was
sold to the public.:D

The original Hippodrome in New York was the biggest theatre in the city by far -- and it hosted circuses, equestrian exhibitions, and other such events. It was so big, in fact, that it couldn't cover its operation costs, and after struggling for nearly forty years was demolished in 1939. Other Hippodromes were named after the New York model, but none were ever as extreme.

hippodrome+1.jpg


"Hippodrome" was also used as a verb in the early part of the 20th Century. To "hippodrome" a sporting event meant to deliberately lose at the instance of gamblers. Hippodroming of baseball games was epidemic in the 1910s, in the years leading up to the Black Sox affair, and corrupt players would usually put on a big exhibition of trying to win when they actually were not. Since the New York Hippodrome was synonymous with showy, pretentious displays that signified nothing, the word was an excellent choice for verbing. "Did you see Hal Chase hippodrome that last play?"
 

skydog757

A-List Customer
Messages
465
Location
Thumb Area, Michigan
Ms. Maine,
It occurs to me that you may have perceived my comment #3804 as a personal criticism. It was not intended to be; I can appreciate how difficult this position can be and how much time it must take to do effectively. And of course everyone seems to think that they know how to do someone else's job better than they do. I appreciate how much time and effort you put into this site and you are one of the primary reasons that I am a member. I respect your knowledge, insight, humor and strong opinions.

I have stress in many areas of my life, just as we all do. So when a source of relaxation and an outlet for my voice/opinions becomes something that adds stress to my life, it bothers me beyond words. I honestly had trouble falling asleep last night thinking that I may have offended you (although, from what I know about you it would take quite a bit more than anything I had to say) by not being balanced in my late night response. If so, I do apologize and I thank you (and all of our members) for being a small respite that I am deeply thankful for.

And now I shall return to topic. Thank you for your indulgence.
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,766
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
I visit this site because I enjoy the company and I like to interact with people of similar interests. I realize that similar interests do not equate to similar opinions and so disagreement may ensue and that may lead to discussions beyond the topic at hand, and that one subject or thought may flow fluidly to another which is unrelated. I enjoy some back and forth because that's how I learn things, but as with anything, that's fine in moderation. When it continues beyond a certain point (say, four pages or more) and it begins to move into the realm of personal attacks between members then I do not feel it inappropriate to try to steer things back to where all members can participate in the stated topic. I am not a Bartender, but I thought that we all had some say in this as long as we were respectful. I can deal with trolls and pick fights about perceived slights on any site if I choose to, just as anyone can; I come here to relax and freely, politely interact with intelligent individuals about things that interest me. Those things do not include stitches, leather and zipper lengths.

My comment wasn't directed at you, Skydog, it was simply a general observation for the benefit of others who seem only interject themselves into discussions to complain that they don't like the discussion. Sorry if it seemed otherwise, and be assured that no offense was taken.

I find that the best thing to do when I get tired of a particular member is to simply use the Ignore feature. I gave myself a Christmas present yesterday by using this tool and I encourage others to make use of it as well if they are so moved.
 

Bigger Don

Practically Family
The original Hippodrome in New York was the biggest theatre in the city by far -- and it hosted circuses, equestrian exhibitions, and other such events. It was so big, in fact, that it couldn't cover its operation costs, and after struggling for nearly forty years was demolished in 1939. Other Hippodromes were named after the New York model, but none were ever as extreme.

"Hippodrome" was also used as a verb in the early part of the 20th Century. To "hippodrome" a sporting event meant to deliberately lose at the instance of gamblers. Hippodroming of baseball games was epidemic in the 1910s, in the years leading up to the Black Sox affair, and corrupt players would usually put on a big exhibition of trying to win when they actually were not. Since the New York Hippodrome was synonymous with showy, pretentious displays that signified nothing, the word was an excellent choice for verbing. "Did you see Hal Chase hippodrome that last play?"
Interesting, but still begs the question as to why the New York venue would be named "Hippodrome" if the primary purpose wasn't for showing/racing horses. The Hippodrome in Nice was built for horse racing but there are secondary bookings such as concerts. It makes as much sense to name a large theater that can host a horse show "... Hippodrome" as it would to name a horse track "... Auditorium" because they play music there.
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
The original Hippodrome in New York was the biggest theatre in the city by far -- and it hosted circuses, equestrian exhibitions, and other such events. It was so big, in fact, that it couldn't cover its operation costs, and after struggling for nearly forty years was demolished in 1939. Other Hippodromes were named after the New York model, but none were ever as extreme.

"Hippodrome" was also used as a verb in the early part of the 20th Century. To "hippodrome" a sporting event meant to deliberately lose at the instance of gamblers. Hippodroming of baseball games was epidemic in the 1910s, in the years leading up to the Black Sox affair, and corrupt players would usually put on a big exhibition of trying to win when they actually were not. Since the New York Hippodrome was synonymous with showy, pretentious displays that signified nothing, the word was an excellent choice for verbing. "Did you see Hal Chase hippodrome that last play?"

Wiki and the like should kiss the
ground you walk on Ms. Lizzie.

You are a wealth of knowledge
and a breath of fresh air
on this "lounge"!
 
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Bigger Don

Practically Family
Likewise.
Thou I often pondered whether
tis nobler in the mind or spirit.
To suffer the slings and arrows
of outrageous comments.

Or take arms against a sea of
trolls & by opposing...
end them.

Mayhaps then I will attain
peace, sleep....
perchance to dream. ;)
Well done! I wish I had that level of knowledge of Shakespeare.

In reference to the Bard's works
  • "Taking arms" oft results in cries of "Bani-shed! Oh, bani-shed!"
  • Those hoisted with their own petards, an addendum to Godwin's Law, makes me chuckle.
In less classical terms, I'll paraphrase something from an early edition of National Lampoon: Win, lose, or draw, wrestle with a turd you get covered with troll.

Therefore I often take the "That's amusing. Have a happy day!" route out.
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,766
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
Oh, no, my ignore list is a very small and elite group of people who just don't seem to be worth the trouble. Most of the people on it, in fact, have long since abandoned the Lounge in favor of forums more agreeable to their mindset.

For those who don't know how to use this feature, just click on the profile of the member you'd like to ignore, and you'll find IGNORE listed as an option at the lower right of the box that comes up. Select that choice and *poof* they become Persona Non Grata for as long as you care to keep them there. You'll still see that they've posted, but the posts themselves will not appear unless you choose to override the Ignore.
 

Bigger Don

Practically Family
Oh, no, my ignore list is a very small and elite group of people who just don't seem to be worth the trouble. Most of the people on it, in fact, have long since abandoned the Lounge in favor of forums more agreeable to their mindset.

For those who don't know how to use this feature, just click on the profile of the member you'd like to ignore, and you'll find IGNORE listed as an option at the lower right of the box that comes up. Select that choice and *poof* they become Persona Non Grata for as long as you care to keep them there. You'll still see that they've posted, but the posts themselves will not appear unless you choose to override the Ignore.
It seems to work differently for the high and powerful than for the plebeians.
 

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