Good morning, digital neighbors! Happy Tuesday, Friends & Refugees, Early Birds & Later-Dayers, Conversants and Lurkers at the Report. Hello again, Pham & Misfits, all you Political Homeless and Freethinkers who support Phetasy and Outspoken, and finally the home crew of ADD Irregulars, WSN Curators, Curmudgeons, and Curmudgeonesses at Padre’s. Happy Tuesday!
Time for another visit to Say What?: The Fascinating Origins of 300+ Everyday Expressions compiled by Ben Douglas. Today’s fun phrase is one I would hear from time to time from my mom when she talked about all us boys hanging around all summer—riding our bikes, playing some sort of ballgame, or going fishing on the creek at the edge of town. There were plenty of fish worth catching, and it was lots of fun. Have a great day, digital neighbors and fellow thieves!
As thick as thieves – Very close or conspiratorial.
Origin: This phrase dates back to at least the 18th century and originally referred to the close-knit relationships among criminals. The word “thick” in this context means intimate or closely allied, and “thieves” were known to operate in secretive, loyal groups. The phrase was popularized in British literature, including Charles Dickens’ works, where it described characters who were exceptionally close, often with a hint of secrecy or collusion.
Two of my favorite thieves in fiction, as depicted by Frank Frazetta: Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser of Fritz Leiber fame.
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 ...
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
https://teams.live.com/meet/93792382189049?p=DiBHsYfuECPgDrG7vO
2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (CST)
Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
White Pilled Wednesday - A break from the heaviness of news and current events to focus upon things more personal & positive for the first hour of Coffee Talk.
Afternoon Chats - Most Tuesday, Friday & Sundays 2:00 PM Central
Other chats as posted in the community.
Don’t argue with people over sixty.
Just don’t.
It’s not just an age; it’s a masterclass in survival.
They grew up without Google, without DoorDash, without therapy podcasts, and without an "undo" button. If something broke, they grabbed duct tape, WD-40, a hammer, and a look of sheer determination that made even the broken appliance second-guess itself.
As kids, they knew exactly what kind of mood their mom was in just by the sound of how hard she slammed the cast-iron skillet onto the stove.
They were the original latchkey kids — walking home from middle school with a house key tied around their neck, with strict orders to heat up lunch and not burn the kitchen down. By the time they were ten, they could bike to the corner store, buy a gallon of milk for the neighbor, feed the family dog, and still have time to play freeze tag in the yard until dark.
Their knees were a permanent canvas of scrapes, bruises, Mercurochrome, and rubbing alcohol. Their universal first-aid kit was just ...
