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Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 6:25:16 AM   
Aneirin


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Due to my interests in words and where they originate, I recently had cause to consider the word con as a shortening of the word conservative and found with some humour according to etymology online the explanation as to con as in swindle, conservative shares the same paragraph ;

con (3) "swindling" (adj.), 1889, Amer.Eng., from confidence man (1849), from the many scams in which the victim is induced to hand over money as a token of confidence. Confidence with a sense of "assurance based on insufficient grounds" dates from 1590s. As a verb, "to swindle," from 1896. Con also can be a slang or colloquial shortening of some nouns beginning in con-, e.g., from the 19th century, confidant, conundrum, conformist, convict, contract, and from the 20th century, conductor, conservative.But something struck me after considering that paragraph, that thing was what politicians actually are, for they are in many ways similar to those that swindle, for they need to gain a person's confidence for them to sell their policies.

Politicians, those that say and don't do, the usual we will do this that and the other when what they desirest the most is our votes, but quickly forget once they have their power are in effect con men, swindlers as their actions or lack of actions speak loudest.

Are the practices of a common swindler to be seperated from that of a politician ?

Are they really one in the same ?

Are we all being swindled by the career politicians ?



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Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha

Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone
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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 6:30:24 AM   
Aneirin


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And further looking into etymology, the word Tory, oh dear, that is unfortunate, for the Tories that currently rule the UK can be easily likened to the etymology by many;

Tory 1566, "an outlaw," specifically "a robber," from Ir. toruighe "plunderer," originally "pursuer, searcher," from O.Ir. toirighim "I pursue," related to toracht "pursuit." About 1646, it emerged as a derogatory term for Irish Catholics dispossessed of their land (some of whom subsequently turned to outlawry); c.1680 applied by Exclusioners to supporters of the Catholic Duke of York (later James II) in his succession to the throne of England. After 1689, Tory was the name of a British political party at first composed of Yorkist Tories of 1680. Superseded c.1830 by Conservative, though it continues to be used colloquially. In American history, Tory was the name given after 1769 to colonists who remained loyal to George III of England.


_____________________________

Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha

Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 6:52:23 AM   
DarkSteven


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I will rise to the occasion and reply to your fact with TWO of mine.

The word "liberal" anagrams to "braille".  And "centrist" anagrams to "citterns".

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 7:06:11 AM   
Aneirin


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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

I will rise to the occasion and reply to your fact with TWO of mine.

The word "liberal" anagrams to "braille".  And "centrist" anagrams to "citterns".


Nope,

liberal (adj.) late 14c., from O.Fr. liberal "befitting free men, noble, generous," from L. liberalis "noble, generous," lit. "pertaining to a free man," from liber "free," from PIE base *leudheros (cf. Gk. eleutheros "free"), probably originally "belonging to the people" (though the precise semantic development is obscure), from *leudho-ljudu, Lith. liaudis, O.E. leod, Ger. Leute "nation, people"). Earliest reference in English is to the "people" (cf. O.C.S. liberal arts. Sense of "free in bestowing" is from late 14c. With a meaning "free from restraint in speech or action" (late 15c.) liberal was used 16c.-17c. as a term of reproach. It revived in a positive sense in the Enlightenment, with a meaning "free from prejudice, tolerant," which emerged 1776-88. Purely in reference to political opinion, "tending in favor of freedom and democracy" it dates from c.1801, from Fr. libéral, originally applied in English by its opponents (often in French form and with suggestions of foreign lawlessness) to the party favorable to individual political freedoms. But also (especially in U.S. politics) tending to mean "favorable to government action to effect social change," which seems at times to draw more from the religious sense of "free from prejudice in favor of traditional opinions and established institutions" (and thus open to new ideas and plans of reform), which dates from 1823.
centrist 1872, from Fr. centriste, from centre (see center). Originally in English with reference to French politics; general application to other political situations is from 1923

Which all goes to show jokes aside, the words we use on a daily basis, we must know their true meaning as it is not good to make an ass of oneself. Further to that, the origin of the words we use can educate in more ways than perhaps thought of before, when it is we discover from whence they came.

< Message edited by Aneirin -- 11/29/2010 7:07:02 AM >


_____________________________

Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha

Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 7:53:50 AM   
kdsub


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I think you are too jaded. The majority of American politicians follow the desires of their electorate. Either by direct request or by following their pre-election platforms.

Of course there are unscrupulous politicians but to paint them all with the same brush is irresponsible.

Most are honorable hard working public servants.

Butch

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Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 8:06:36 AM   
Aneirin


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I just don't trust people in authority, and especially those who seek authority over others  via a badge of public office, for it is my belief that leaders will come naturally to any given situation and there be an inspiration to others, none of which our government display at the moment. For those who are not natural leaders who seek advancement over others by bribing and lying, they are the worst kind and for a society and it's leaders to get better, I believe all potential leaders should by psycho analysed to hopefully allevite any possibility of flaws in their character coming up when it really matters.

Authority is to be questioned at all times.


_____________________________

Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha

Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 8:20:11 AM   
Elisabella


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin
Authority is to be questioned at all times.


IMO authority should be accountable for their actions at all times.

Questioning authority only works when you have the right questions and are able to do something productive with the answers.

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 8:22:35 AM   
kdsub


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

I just don't trust people in authority, and especially those who seek authority over others  via a badge of public office,



The above is your problem...people run for office to serve not to have power over.

Butch

_____________________________

Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

(in reply to Aneirin)
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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 11:47:14 AM   
Politesub53


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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub


quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

I just don't trust people in authority, and especially those who seek authority over others  via a badge of public office,



The above is your problem...people run for office to serve not to have power over.

Butch


These days, not so much. 

(in reply to kdsub)
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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 12:02:22 PM   
Elisabella


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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub

The above is your problem...people run for office to serve not to have power over.


It's both, really - they want the power attached to the position because they think they're best able to wield it and legislate for the good of the nation.

There's nothing inherently wrong with power - like most things, it depends on how you use it.

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 1:17:02 PM   
kdsub


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53

quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub


quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

I just don't trust people in authority, and especially those who seek authority over others  via a badge of public office,



The above is your problem...people run for office to serve not to have power over.

Butch


These days, not so much. 


Well move on over to the good old USof A where you can trust your representatives to do your bidding...if you are in the majority anyway. You Brits have to quit complaining about politicians and become some yourselves...We do it all the time over here... any dumb ass can be elected Gov....

Butch



_____________________________

Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

(in reply to Politesub53)
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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 1:25:37 PM   
Aneirin


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I believe becoming a politician in the UK is harder done than said for it is largely a closed shop, where money talks.

_____________________________

Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha

Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone

(in reply to kdsub)
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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 1:43:30 PM   
kdsub


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Yes money talks everywhere...but it is still fairly easy on the local level and you can still make a difference there.

Butch

_____________________________

Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

(in reply to Aneirin)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 2:46:34 PM   
Real0ne


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yeh like the patriot act, borders, and ohaha care

to the letter LOL


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"We the Borg" of the us imperialists....resistance is futile

Democracy; The 'People' voted on 'which' amendment?

Yesterdays tinfoil is today's reality!

"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 2:48:32 PM   
Real0ne


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conCON. A Latin inseparable preposition or prefix to other words. Ainsworth remarks that con and cum habe the same signification, but that cum is used separately, and con in composition. Con and cum may be radically distinct words. The Irish comh, or coimh, is equivalent to the Latin con; and the Welsh cym, convertible into cyv, appears to be the same word, denoting, says Owen, a mutual act, quality or effect. It is precisely equivalent to the Latin com, in comparo, compono, and the Latin com, in composition, may be the Celtic comh or cym. But generally it seems to be con, changed into com. Ainsworth deduces cum from the Greek; for originally it was written cyn. But this is probably a mistake.Con coincides in radical letters and in signification with the Teutonic gain, gen, gean, igen, igien, in the English again, against; Sax. Gean, ongean; sw. Igen; Dan. Igien. Whatever may be its origin or affinities, the primary sense of the word is probably from some root that signifies to meet or oppose, or turn and meet; to approach to, or to be with. This is the radical sense of most propositions of the like import. See the English with, again. So in Irish, coinne, a meeting; as coinne, opposite.Con, in compounds, is change into l before l, as in colligo, to collect, and into m before a labial, as in comparo, to compare. Before a vowel or h, the na is dropped; as in coalesco, to coalesce, to cooperate; cohibeo, to restrain. I denotes union, as in conjoin; or opposition, as in conflict, contend.CON, [abbreviated from Latin contra, against.] In the phrase, pro and con, for and against, con denotes the negative side of a question. As a noun, a person who is in the negative; as the pros and cons.CON, v.t. [to know, to be able, to be skillful or wise; and to bear or bring forth, Gr. To try, to attempt, to prove, L., whence cunning, skillful, experienced, or skill, experience; coincides in sense with to begin, to try to attempt. G. To know; to be able. The primary sense is, to strain or stretch, which gives the sense of strength, power, as in can, and of holding, containing, comprehending, as contain, from contineo, teneo, Gr., L. To beget or to bring forth. In the sense of know, con signifies to hold or to reach.]1. To know.
I conne no skill.
I shall not conne answer. I shall not know or be able to answer.2. To make ones self master of; to fix in the mend or commit to memory; as, to con a lesson.To con thanks, to be pleased or obliged, or to thank.

_____________________________

"We the Borg" of the us imperialists....resistance is futile

Democracy; The 'People' voted on 'which' amendment?

Yesterdays tinfoil is today's reality!

"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session

(in reply to Aneirin)
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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 3:00:53 PM   
tweakabelle


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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub

Well move on over to the good old USof A where you can trust your representatives to do your bidding...if you are in the majority anyway. You Brits have to quit complaining about politicians and become some yourselves...We do it all the time over here... any dumb ass can be elected Gov....

Butch




I hope your claim is true. It is somewhat at variance with the arguments some Americans advanced on the Healthcare thread when I wondered why they put up with such an expensive healthcare system that is unable to offer universal coverage to US citizens and residents.

A common theme was the big corporations run things and there's little we seem to be able to do about it.

< Message edited by tweakabelle -- 11/29/2010 3:04:32 PM >

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RE: Etymology of swindle - 11/29/2010 5:38:16 PM   
kdsub


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quote:

ORIGINAL: tweakabelle

A common theme was the big corporations run things and there's little we seem to be able to do about it.



But those that vote make the difference...not those that express your posted sentiment above.

Butch

_____________________________

Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

(in reply to tweakabelle)
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