Due to the fact that my friend is trying, ever-so-patiently to teach me to play chess. As he is involved in a series of chess matches in our town. Hence here I am for the last five posts to try to understand at the very basics of chess.
As you undoubtedly know, chess is a game played between two persons, a game played on a board of 64 squares with alternating colours. The 'teams' of each persons consists of sixteen pieces; a king, a queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. The aim is to checkmate the other king, 'checkmate' being when the king is either getting captured or in an inescapable position.
The board is set with the opposing colours at each end of the board, the teams lined up in two rows, with a light or white coloured square to the right hand corner. All the pawns at the front, with the second row containing the rest in the following sequence; the rook, the knight, the bishop, the queen, on her corresponding colour, and the king next to her, the bishop, the knight, and the rook.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Friday, 30 August 2013
75
The definition of "definition"(noun), is derived from the late 14th century, meaning "decision, setting of boundaries". Which is taken from the Old French "definicion", the Latin "definitionem", used as a noun for action from the past principle of "definire".
Word; (noun) from the Old English for "speech, talk, utterance, word" which is taken from the Proto-Germanic "wurdan" for "speak, say". Old Frisian "word", Dutch "word", Old High German, "wort", Old Norse "ord", Gothic "waurd". "Word processor" was first recorded in 1973, "a word to the wise" is from the Latin Phrase "verbum sapieti satis est", "a word to the wise is enough". The phrase "word of mouth" is recorded from 1550's.
Paragraph; (noun) from the late 15th century from the Middle French "division of text", from Medieval Latin "paragraphus", "sign for start of a new section of discourse". The Greek "paragraphos", meaning "short stroke in the margin marking a break in sense", and also "a passage so marked".
Word; (noun) from the Old English for "speech, talk, utterance, word" which is taken from the Proto-Germanic "wurdan" for "speak, say". Old Frisian "word", Dutch "word", Old High German, "wort", Old Norse "ord", Gothic "waurd". "Word processor" was first recorded in 1973, "a word to the wise" is from the Latin Phrase "verbum sapieti satis est", "a word to the wise is enough". The phrase "word of mouth" is recorded from 1550's.
Paragraph; (noun) from the late 15th century from the Middle French "division of text", from Medieval Latin "paragraphus", "sign for start of a new section of discourse". The Greek "paragraphos", meaning "short stroke in the margin marking a break in sense", and also "a passage so marked".
Thursday, 29 August 2013
74
Beginning; (noun) late 12th century, "time when something begins", from begin, meaning "act of starting something" from early 13th century. Originally from the Old English "fruma". "Ab initio" is the Latin for "from the beginning" from 1600.c, from "initium" meaning "entrance, beginning", which is related to "inire" (verb) for "to go into, enter upon, begin".
Start; (noun) "a sudden movement" from late 14th century, from the verb start meaning the "act of beginning to build a house" originating from 1946. The use as an "opportunity at the beginning of a career or course of action" is from 1849. The phrase "false start" is believed to be from 1850.
Middle; (adjective) from Old English "middel", from the West Germanic "middila" which can be traced back to "medjaz". "Middle name" is back to 1815, as "one's outstanding characteristic", colloquial from 1911, American English. "Middle-of-the-road", the figurative sense, is based from 1894, and "middle finger" from 1000.c.
Progression; (noun), meaning "action of moving from one condition to another" from the late 14th century and is taken from Old French , "progression" and is directly linked to "progressionem" from Latin for "a going forward, advancement, growth, increase" from the past participle of "progredi" for "go forward". This is taken from "pro", "forward and "gradi", "to step, walk". ("gradi" is from "gradus" for "step".)
Ending; (noun) "a coming to an end" from Old English "endunge", the verbal noun from "end".
Over; (prep) from Old English "ofer" for "beyond, above, upon, in, across, past; on high", which is from Proto-Germanic "uberi". As an adjective from Old English "uffera", and as an adverb from late Old English. The use in the sense of "finished" is derived from the late 14th century, as the meaning "recovered from" is from 1929. The phrase "over-the-counter" is attested to 1875, originally used for stocks and shares.
Start; (noun) "a sudden movement" from late 14th century, from the verb start meaning the "act of beginning to build a house" originating from 1946. The use as an "opportunity at the beginning of a career or course of action" is from 1849. The phrase "false start" is believed to be from 1850.
Middle; (adjective) from Old English "middel", from the West Germanic "middila" which can be traced back to "medjaz". "Middle name" is back to 1815, as "one's outstanding characteristic", colloquial from 1911, American English. "Middle-of-the-road", the figurative sense, is based from 1894, and "middle finger" from 1000.c.
Progression; (noun), meaning "action of moving from one condition to another" from the late 14th century and is taken from Old French , "progression" and is directly linked to "progressionem" from Latin for "a going forward, advancement, growth, increase" from the past participle of "progredi" for "go forward". This is taken from "pro", "forward and "gradi", "to step, walk". ("gradi" is from "gradus" for "step".)
Ending; (noun) "a coming to an end" from Old English "endunge", the verbal noun from "end".
Over; (prep) from Old English "ofer" for "beyond, above, upon, in, across, past; on high", which is from Proto-Germanic "uberi". As an adjective from Old English "uffera", and as an adverb from late Old English. The use in the sense of "finished" is derived from the late 14th century, as the meaning "recovered from" is from 1929. The phrase "over-the-counter" is attested to 1875, originally used for stocks and shares.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
73
Mealtimes; researched as quoted by Perigrin Took: "What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?"
Breakfast; (noun) Mid 15th century, the (verb) is recorded from 1670's. A thing to note is that words for breakfast tend to, over time, shift to meaning lunch, as in; Spainish "almuerzo" for "lunch" but formerly and still locally. The Latin "admorsus"; the past prinicple of "admordere" meaning "to bite into". The French"dejeuner" originally "breakfast" but turns to "lunch". Both are from the Latin "disieiunare" for "to breakfast", German "fruhstich" is from Middle High German of "vruostucke"
literally meaning "early bit", whereas Old English had "morgenmete" meaning "the morning meal".
Brunch; 1896, British Student slang as a merger of breakfast and lunch.
Elvensies; (noun) 1860-65, Doubly plurised form of elven, perhaps as an ellipsis of elven hours. British meaning of "A light snack."
Luncheon; (noun) 1650, meaning "thick piece, hunk" of uncertain origin, perhaps northern English. By 1580's it is probably influenced by the Spainish "lonja" meaning "a slice", which could have been blended with "nuncheon", taken from "non" for "noon".
Lunch; (noun) 1786, "a midday repast", shortened from "luncheon." By 1706 "lunching" is spelt as "luncheon" commonly. Old English word "normate", meaning afternoon meal, literally noon-meat. (verb); meaning "to take lunch." Although in Webster's, the definition of lunch is "a large piece of food", this is in late 1817. "Out to lunch" used as slang for "being insane, stupid or clueless" was first recorded in 1955.
Nuncheon; (noun) mid 14th century, where the original meaning was a "slight refeshment" taken in the afternoon. Made up of "none" for noon and "shench" meaning draught or cup in Old English, which is related to "sencan" meaning "to pour out".
Afternoon;(noun) C.1300, (After + Noon) 15.c - 16.c the form was "at afternoon", 16. c onwards it was "in the afternoon". However in mid 14.c Middle English has "aftermete", meaning "afternoon, part of the day following the noon meal".
Dinner; (noun) 1300, from Old French "disner" for, which originally started off as "breakfast" but at the time meant "to dine". The shift from midday to evening began with the fashionable classes. The use of "din-din", a childish version for dinner, came around 1905.
Supper; (noun), late 13.c, meaning "the last meal of the day", Old French "super", meaning "to eat the evening meal", although is German in origin, a late meal, after dinner, which it is less formal than lunch.
Breakfast; (noun) Mid 15th century, the (verb) is recorded from 1670's. A thing to note is that words for breakfast tend to, over time, shift to meaning lunch, as in; Spainish "almuerzo" for "lunch" but formerly and still locally. The Latin "admorsus"; the past prinicple of "admordere" meaning "to bite into". The French"dejeuner" originally "breakfast" but turns to "lunch". Both are from the Latin "disieiunare" for "to breakfast", German "fruhstich" is from Middle High German of "vruostucke"
literally meaning "early bit", whereas Old English had "morgenmete" meaning "the morning meal".
Brunch; 1896, British Student slang as a merger of breakfast and lunch.
Elvensies; (noun) 1860-65, Doubly plurised form of elven, perhaps as an ellipsis of elven hours. British meaning of "A light snack."
Luncheon; (noun) 1650, meaning "thick piece, hunk" of uncertain origin, perhaps northern English. By 1580's it is probably influenced by the Spainish "lonja" meaning "a slice", which could have been blended with "nuncheon", taken from "non" for "noon".
Lunch; (noun) 1786, "a midday repast", shortened from "luncheon." By 1706 "lunching" is spelt as "luncheon" commonly. Old English word "normate", meaning afternoon meal, literally noon-meat. (verb); meaning "to take lunch." Although in Webster's, the definition of lunch is "a large piece of food", this is in late 1817. "Out to lunch" used as slang for "being insane, stupid or clueless" was first recorded in 1955.
Nuncheon; (noun) mid 14th century, where the original meaning was a "slight refeshment" taken in the afternoon. Made up of "none" for noon and "shench" meaning draught or cup in Old English, which is related to "sencan" meaning "to pour out".
Afternoon;(noun) C.1300, (After + Noon) 15.c - 16.c the form was "at afternoon", 16. c onwards it was "in the afternoon". However in mid 14.c Middle English has "aftermete", meaning "afternoon, part of the day following the noon meal".
Dinner; (noun) 1300, from Old French "disner" for, which originally started off as "breakfast" but at the time meant "to dine". The shift from midday to evening began with the fashionable classes. The use of "din-din", a childish version for dinner, came around 1905.
Supper; (noun), late 13.c, meaning "the last meal of the day", Old French "super", meaning "to eat the evening meal", although is German in origin, a late meal, after dinner, which it is less formal than lunch.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
72
So very nearly there...
Since I couldn't possibly start and finish any properly explored topic during the amount of posts left, I'm going to carry on, in a fashion on the shorthand thing. Its all about translation, the re-reading of a particular word or phrase can be changed in its meaning depending on the time or place.
1876.
Greet; (verb) Old English “gretan”meaning “to come in contact with”, both in the sense of attack and as welcome, along with to take hold of. Taken from West Germanic “grotjan”, Old Saxon “grotian, Old French, “Greta”, Old Dutch “Groeten”, Old High German “Gruosen”, German “Griiben”for “ to salute, or meet with.” Although It could originally be meant as “to resound”, “cause to speak”, due to the “Graetanan,” from Proto-Germanic, which is from the Old English “graetan” for “weep, or bewail”; “gher-“ meaning “to call out”. Greet can still mean “to cry”in Scottish and northern England, although most probably due to the possibility that “Graetan” could also the root of “regret”.
Welcome; (noun) Old English, “wilcuma”, used as an kindly greeting, meaning “welcome guest”, which is literally to mean “one whose coming is in accord with another’s will”. As “willa” means pleasure, desire or choice”, and is combined with “cuma”, “guest”. It is recorded from 1530, “you’re welcome”, as a response to thank you is from 1907. The Welcome Mat is first recorded in 1951.
Dap; (noun) a fist-bump greeting. There are various origins of both the action and the meaning; In the U.S. it is popular in culture by 1972 and was accused as controversial when it was used in the Vietnam War when the solders used it, in an “act of black solidarity”. It is most likely an imitative as ‘dap’ was used in the 19th century, for the bounce of a ball or the skip of a stone on water, although now it is listed as slang, 1950 for “aware, up to date” or “stylish, well-dressed”, the latter is elongated to “dapper.”
Since I couldn't possibly start and finish any properly explored topic during the amount of posts left, I'm going to carry on, in a fashion on the shorthand thing. Its all about translation, the re-reading of a particular word or phrase can be changed in its meaning depending on the time or place.
______________________________________
Hi;
American English, a greeting from 1862, originally used to attract attention, 15th
century, it is most likely believed to be a variation of middle English “hy”,
which is also an exclamation to call attention. The extension to “hiya” is
attested to 1940.
Salute; (noun) from 1400 century, “the act of saluting, a
respectful gesture of greeting, salutation”. In the military sense, it is derived
from 1690’s, more specifically the hadn to cap gesture is from 1832.Salutation; (noun) Old French, late 14th century,
meaning “greeting” from Latin “salutationem”, translated to “a greeting,
saluting”. It is the present participle of “salutare”, “to greet” or “salute”.
It is recorded from the 1530s, as a word of greeting.
Hail; (verb) “to call from a distance”, originally nautical,
1560’s. Also used as in “hail fellow well met” in 1580’s as a familiar greeting. Is also used as American English slang from
1850-1910 for “hell”.
Yo; first used as a greeting in 1859. Although the word is
believed to be derived from a sailor’s or huntsman’s utterings from early 15th
century, In modern references, from WW2, as the word was often used when responding
to roll calls.
Charm; (verb) as in “charmed” as a conversational reply to a
greeting is attested by 1825.
Greeting; (noun) Old English, meaning: “salutation”. The
first record of the use of “greeting card” is 1876.
Greet; (verb) Old English “gretan”meaning “to come in contact with”, both in the sense of attack and as welcome, along with to take hold of. Taken from West Germanic “grotjan”, Old Saxon “grotian, Old French, “Greta”, Old Dutch “Groeten”, Old High German “Gruosen”, German “Griiben”for “ to salute, or meet with.” Although It could originally be meant as “to resound”, “cause to speak”, due to the “Graetanan,” from Proto-Germanic, which is from the Old English “graetan” for “weep, or bewail”; “gher-“ meaning “to call out”. Greet can still mean “to cry”in Scottish and northern England, although most probably due to the possibility that “Graetan” could also the root of “regret”.
Welcome; (noun) Old English, “wilcuma”, used as an kindly greeting, meaning “welcome guest”, which is literally to mean “one whose coming is in accord with another’s will”. As “willa” means pleasure, desire or choice”, and is combined with “cuma”, “guest”. It is recorded from 1530, “you’re welcome”, as a response to thank you is from 1907. The Welcome Mat is first recorded in 1951.
Dap; (noun) a fist-bump greeting. There are various origins of both the action and the meaning; In the U.S. it is popular in culture by 1972 and was accused as controversial when it was used in the Vietnam War when the solders used it, in an “act of black solidarity”. It is most likely an imitative as ‘dap’ was used in the 19th century, for the bounce of a ball or the skip of a stone on water, although now it is listed as slang, 1950 for “aware, up to date” or “stylish, well-dressed”, the latter is elongated to “dapper.”
High-five; originally U.S. basketball slang in 1980 as a
noun, then in 1981 as a verb, though the greet is actually perceived to be
older, “the Producers”, Dick Shawn, 1968. As a reference to the five fingers of
the hand.
Hello;
from 1883 the alteration of “hallo”,
which itself is taken from “holla”, as a shout to attract attention, seemingly
going back to as far as we know to 1400. Old High German “halo, hola” meaning “to
fetch”, used in hailing ferrymen namely. Fowler writes that “the multiplicity of
forms is bewildering”. The greetings popularity overcame Bell’s suggestion of “ahoy”
to answer the telephone due to coincidental timing. Central telephone exchange
operators were known as “hello-girls”, 1889.
Monday, 26 August 2013
71
Well the self taught shorthand is now offically over. After talking to a friend at my local library, she recommends keeping up the skill by taking at least an hour a week, where possible, at least, and practising. In whatever form you find best; picking random words, poems or paragraphs from a book or having something dictated to you, of copying down what someone says from a programme or film. Anything will do, so long as youre comfortable with your speed and ability to read it back, read: write neatly enough at those speeds. Heres a few sites I've managed to scrounge up that cover writing shorthand, hopefully theyll be of some use to you;
shorthand drills , dictation practice, speed building.
shorthand drills , dictation practice, speed building.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
70
'nv', the 'n' turns to slope, forming the first part of the 'v'.novel
'vn', the top of the 'v' is rounded out to turn into the beginning of the 'b'. given
'wn' and 'nw', which has the crook of the 'n' turned on it side and tucked into the 'w'. nowadays
own
If its followed by a 't' or a 'd', you have to straighten out the crook.
wind winter 
special outlines: 
november advantage 
avenue newspaper
Saturday, 24 August 2013
69
'n' blends; if an 'n' follows a 't' is can be streamlined, that is it will be a 't' with a crook like that of an 'n' at the end. Although when using this you should be careful to make sure the curve still remains as it might be read as 'te', this can be used throughout an outline. 
tentwritten
tender
'dn' , in which the same rules apply,only it is written on the line. 
hidden identity
dinner
'trn' and 'drn', which has the 'n' added to the aforementioned 'tn' and 'dn' blends. They can both be used in or at the end of a word, or as sstand alone. 
turn drain
stranded modern
'rn', involves a streamlined version of a 'n' after an 'r', just like a 't' or 'd' streamline. Just ensure that the 'n' hook is curved but points down, not backwards.
parent burn
Friday, 23 August 2013
68
using 'b' in blends; 
'pb', a special form of "public", but can be used wherever 'pb' come together. pub-crawl
'mb' and 'bm', used for words which will take the outline way below the line, it allows the 'b' to be reduced to a large circle. grumble
The 'b' circle must be distinguishable from an 's' or a 'z' circle, keep that in mind. Also if a 'b' circle is follwed by an 'l' it will follow the direction of the 'b' and as such will usually go upwards. The 'b' circle can also come into play if the 'b' occurs before an 'm'. bumpy
'b' and others, if you can trust yourself not to confuse a 'b' circle with an 's', you can shorten alot of other words, by the book.
Thursday, 22 August 2013
67
Right this is the last area of information that was given to me as a self-study pack from my library;
Blending;
this covers the other other methods of blending some consonants, although in reality these arent necessary, they are nice to know and they do increase your writing speed. this are awkward to begin with, but after practising with them, after being assured of your confidence in reading and writing shorthand try them, they do help.
NTH blend; the 'n' sits in the t position, which allows for the 'h' to stand correctly, and the 't' is removed, it should be the height of a normal 'h'.
nth blend image
month
It is a reduced outline for "north"
in the in the north
Blending;
this covers the other other methods of blending some consonants, although in reality these arent necessary, they are nice to know and they do increase your writing speed. this are awkward to begin with, but after practising with them, after being assured of your confidence in reading and writing shorthand try them, they do help.
NTH blend; the 'n' sits in the t position, which allows for the 'h' to stand correctly, and the 't' is removed, it should be the height of a normal 'h'.
nth blend image month
It is a reduced outline for "north"
in the in the north
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
66
Abstract noun endings:
"-fulness" = 'fls' disjoined from the original word.
cheerfulness
"-lessness/-lousness" = 'ls' disjoined from the original word.
fearlessness
"-ality/-ility/-olity" = a disjoined upward 'l', so long as it doesnt follow a 'b', awkward sod.
formality
"-arity/-erity/-ority" = a disjoined 'r'.
minority
"-tivity" = disjoined 'tv' in the t position.
relativity
"-fulness" = 'fls' disjoined from the original word.cheerfulness
"-lessness/-lousness" = 'ls' disjoined from the original word.
fearlessness
"-ality/-ility/-olity" = a disjoined upward 'l', so long as it doesnt follow a 'b', awkward sod. formality
"-arity/-erity/-ority" = a disjoined 'r'. minority
"-tivity" = disjoined 'tv' in the t position. relativity
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
65
Disjoined full vowels:
The full vowels should only be used when writing; a special outline, the beginning of ening of words (where a vowel indicaor doesnt show the prodominance of the vowel), within the r principle (when r follows an 'a' 'o' or 'u' at the beginning of the word), for word endings, (like with "th'ing'", or "direc'tion'".)
"-able/ - ability"
The full 'a', disjoinedly used for able or abilty grouping at the end of a word, an 'i' should be added for "-ably".
table enabling
available/availability
This can be applied to the other full vowels:
"-eble"
pebble rebel
"-ible/-ibility"
possible/possibility flexible
"-oble/-ouble/-obility"
double noble/nobility
"-uble/-ubility"
bubble soluble
With extended endings, added as required;
bubbles bubbled
bubbly
Special outlines;
The full vowels should only be used when writing; a special outline, the beginning of ening of words (where a vowel indicaor doesnt show the prodominance of the vowel), within the r principle (when r follows an 'a' 'o' or 'u' at the beginning of the word), for word endings, (like with "th'ing'", or "direc'tion'".)
"-able/ - ability"
The full 'a', disjoinedly used for able or abilty grouping at the end of a word, an 'i' should be added for "-ably".
table enabling
available/availability
This can be applied to the other full vowels:
"-eble"
pebble rebel
"-ible/-ibility"
"-oble/-ouble/-obility"
double noble/nobility
"-uble/-ubility"
bubble soluble
With extended endings, added as required;
bubbles bubbled
bubbly
Special outlines;
