---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Learning Kingdom's Cool Word of the Day for June 3, 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mealy-mouthed [adj. MEE-lee mouthd] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To be mealy-mouthed is to speak in circles, to be unwilling to directly state facts or opinions. The phrase carries a strong sense of disapproval. Example: "Senator McBain's mealy-mouthed platitudes left us wondering if he had a point of view at all." Some etymologists have linked this phrase with the Latin mel (honey). The connection may seem appropriate, since a mealy-mouthed person might also be called "honey-tongued." The source of the phrase is actually more direct: a mealy-mouthed person is like someone whose mouth is full of meal (powdered grain), unable to speak clearly. There's a German expression, "Mehl im Maule behalten" (literally, to carry meal in one's mouth) that means "to speak indirectly." Our phrase most likely came from the German expression, or a similar one in another Germanic language. Today's sponsor: ACSI Bulk Inks <http://www.oddparts.com/ink> WHY pay $30 for a new inkjet cartridge, when you can refill your current one 10 times for $21.95 with our 450 ml pint bottles. Free, easy on-line instructions. Color and photo inks too. Call us now Toll Free: 1-888-728-2465 VISA/MC/AMEX ACSI Bulk Inks: <http://www.oddparts.com/ink> Mention Cool-Word and save $5 on shipping/handling ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cool Word of the Day list membership: 100,689 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/join/ To unsubscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/change/ To become a sponsor, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/sponsor/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 1999, The Learning Kingdom, Inc. http://www.LearningKingdom.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------