Killing words

Posted by Shae on September 01, 2003

In Reply to: Killing words posted by Yobi on September 01, 2003

: Hi all, is Killing words an expression or just some songtitle or something? I can't get it out of my head. Plz help.

It's a song title, but I can't remember the name of the artist(s). I've been experiencing senior moments over the last few days because my son was supposed to get married last Saturday. Fortunately, his bride didn't change her mind at the last moment, so he did.

As for killing words, Irish and Welsh mythology has several examples. Bards and fili (poets) usually used their skill with words to praise kings and nobles, but they were also adept at satire if the need arose. Their words could cause physical afflictions, such as boils on the face, and even death of the person at whom the satire was directed.

• Killing words ESC 02/September/03