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Old Tom and other questions

Posted by Smokey Stover on March 31, 2004

In Reply to: Old Tom and other questions posted by ESC on March 31, 2004

: : : 1. an *old Tom*, slinking home, after a night spent in a place of bad repute.

: : : What is the meaning of "old Tom"?

: : : 2. Somebody says that his wife is to energetic for their *sized house*.

: : : What does "sized house" mean?

: : : 3. Later on he says that she is *cornery in her temper*.

: : : What does "cornery in her temper" mean?

: : : 4. "Lopsided dog" - is it a dog with a narrowing belly?

: : :
: : : Thanks a lot and many thanks to Smokey Stover for his previous answer about High Smoking and At Home Day.

: : : 1. an *old Tom*, slinking home, after a night spent in a place of bad repute.

: : : What is the meaning of "old Tom"?
: : A male cat.

: : : 2. Somebody says that his wife is to energetic for their *sized house*.

: : : What does "sized house" mean?

: : That should be "too" energetic. She has too much energy for a house that size. No doubt, meaning a small house.

: : : 3. Later on he says that she is *cornery in her temper*.

: : : What does "cornery in her temper" mean?

: : Don't know. Could it be: ornery.
: Mean-spirited, disagreeable, and contrary in disposition; cantankerous. (dictionary.com)

:
: : : 4. "Lopsided dog" - is it a dog with a narrowing belly?

: : Don't know.

I can't improve on ESC, but I might mention that librarians on the reference desk (where questions are answered) are taught that in the "reference interview" they must pry loose from their patrons the context of the questions they ask. A few phrases here and there, Natty, would be helpful. What words, for instance, preced "sized house"? Are you sure of "cornery"? Who is "somebody" who so describes his wife? An actual tom cat would not have a wife, it not being the nature of cats. A "lopsided dog" is one that conspicuously lacks symmetry in some respect, a description that is not very helpful and probably gratuitous in terms of the story. What ever are you reading, Natty? SS

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