Yesterday's Daily Engelbreit was included as part of the remembering of pets past that was inspired by Zoom. Was I lazy or clever? I would say clever, Momma Peggy would say lazy. To each his or her own. Happy Thursday & Veteran's Day!
Today marks the three hundred and thirtieth birthday of the Frenchman François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume, Voltaire (1694-1778).
Born into a bourgeois family during the reign of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (r. 1643-1715), Voltaire suffered tragedy at a young age when his mother died. Never close with his father or brother, Voltaire exhibited a rebellious attitude toward authority from his youth. His brilliant mind was fostered in the care of the Society of Jesus, who introduced him to the joys of literature and theater. Despite his later criticisms against the Church, Voltaire, throughout his life, fondly recalled his dedicated Jesuit teachers.
Although he spent time as a civil servant in the French embassy to the Hague, Voltaire’s main love was writing—an endeavor where he excelled in various genres, including poetry, which led to his appointment as the royal court poet for King Louis XV. Widely recognized as one of the greatest French writers, and even hyperbolically referred to by ...
Happy... (Checks notes) National Air Traffic Control Day. I'd suggest not actually flying today, as there's a strong chance the DEI hires who caused those pesky plane crashes at the Potomac river last year are also celebrating National Fried Chicken Day today, so there's an elevated risk of a greasy-fingers-induced keyboard slip up. However, if you are taking to the air, make sure to mark International Kissing Day, presumably by kissing your loved ones goodbye at the airport for the very last time.
Oh, and if you happen to find yourself in Missouri, you should absolutely combine National Handroll Day with Take Your Webster to Lunch Day by taking @Padre out for sushi.
Anyhoo, time to vote!
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
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2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
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Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
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Good Morning, Digital Neighbors! Happy Tuesday, dear friends across the internet! How about some more fun with the origins of words, courtesy of Susie Dent? Apparently she has written a number of other books on etymology and word usage that we might explore and share at a later date. Have a great day, my friends!
Baffle
Originally the punishment or public disgracing of an errant knight — hanging him (or his effigy) by the heels from a tree. The word moved from the meaning of “disgrace” to “hoodwink,” and eventually to “confuse.”
The Cold Shoulder
A show of intentional indifference; a deliberate slight. The expression is often said to come from medieval times, when a host supposedly offered an unwelcome guest a meal of cold shoulder of mutton (the usual fare for servants). A more probable explanation is that it is metaphorical — indicating disdain, akin to “turning one’s back” on someone.
To Pull Someone’s Leg
To tease a person; to chaff someone; to make fun of...
