Hobo Jungle

[MurphOnMillerAve]

And here are some from Spanish, taken directly into English usage:
mustang
peon
aficionado
bonanza
bravado
fiesta
patio
pimento
siesta
bronco
manana
canyon
burro
flotilla
poncho
adobe
renegade
junta

[webenda]

And Arabic words used in English:

admiral - ami:r-al-bahr 'ruler of the seas' (and other similar expressions) - amara command
adobe - al-toba 'the brick'
albacore - al-bukr 'the young camel'
alchemy - al-ki:mi:a: - Arabic from Greek
alcohol - al-koh''l 'the kohl'
alcove - al-qobbah 'vault' - qubba vault
alfalfa - alfas,fas,ah 'fodder'
algebra - al-jebr 'reintegration' - jabara reunite
algorithm - al-Khowarazmi 'the (man) of Khiva'
alkali - al-qaliy 'calx' - qalay fry, roast
Allah - `allah, from contraction of al-ilah 'the god'
almanac - (Andalucian Arabic) al-mana:kh
amber - `anbar 'ambergris'
antimony - al-íthmid 'antimony trisulphide' - Arabic from Greek
apricot - al-burquq - from Greek
Arab - `arab
arsenal - dar as,s,ina`ah 'house of making', i.e. 'factory' - s,ana`a make
artichoke - al-kharshu:f
assassin - h'ashsha:shi:n 'hashish eaters', from the Isma`ili sectarians
azimuth - as-sumut 'the paths'; see also zenith
azure - al-lazward 'lapis lazuli' - from Persian

And that is just the "A's." The list goes all the way to "Z."

zero - s,ifr 'empty'

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Hey Dr.Wayne, I knew about algebra, but not about the others. Interesting to learn.
(I have Italian, ready anytime, if anybody wants to see 'em.)
BTW, wasn't it the Moslems, in Spain, who acquainted a post-Roman Empire Europe about the advantages of bathing?

[webenda]

That is true Murph.

The Moorish Kingdom of Granada was established in 1238 and lasted until 1492. For 264 years it was the center of Islamic culture in Spain. Its climate was excellent and its environs fertile. Abundant streams furnished water for irrigation and for baths and fountains. Many Christians from other countries visited the hospitals and universities of Moorish Spain to study and take home with them greater knowledge of medicine (and the health advantages of bathing) of astronomy and of mathematics--fields of science in which fortunately difference of religion interposed no barriers.

When in 1469 Ferdinand of Aragon married lsabella of Castile, their union struck the death-knell of Moslem power in Spain. The local rulers were no match for this newly evolved Christian power. While Columbus was off sailing the ocean blue, they conquered Granada in 1492 and so established their powerful rule. (Columbus, by the way, initiated the process of Spanish colonization.)

In 1556 Philip II (of Spain) promulgated a strict law forbidding Moslems to practice their worship, language or habits of life. The public baths-so plentiful in Spanish cities because of the abundant water supply from neighboring mountains and so beloved by Moslems and Christians alike- were destroyed, Henceforth any citizen of Spain over fond of bathing was suspect of heresy and liable to Inquisitional investigations! It was the beginning of stinky times in Spain.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Apparently, we reap what we sow.

[healey36]

Speaking of crums from Spain, I see that bum Fernando Alonso has moved into 1st place in Formula 1...dang it, I was pulling for old man Webber from down under...

Healey

[Tramp]

Alonso is a crumb? Why is that? Last Aussie champion was Alan Jones, thirty years ago, so I think Webber would be a fine champion.

[healey36]

Only in jest. Alonzo is probably the best driver currently on the circuit, very much like Schumacher in his prime. F1 drivers appear to fall into two categories...those that actively work with the team to improve the car, and those that simply show up on Thursday and leave on Sunday evening. Alonso and Schumacher would seem to exemlify the first, and have the record to prove it. That said, IMHO Webber is the best "sportsman" on the grid, and I'd love to see him have a great finish to his career which is surely drawing to a close in the next few seasons.

[Tramp]

Healey, I was an F1 fan for 40 years, seeing my first GP live in 1963, but I've moved my racing interest to MotoGP for a number of reasons. I do read the F1 news still, but I don't watch the races except in the five minute videos that come out well after the race. How about you?

[healey36]

Tramp...same here. I've been a casual fan since the Sixties. I got a chance to catch four USGP at Watkins Glen, and two at Indianapolis. My interest comes and goes, but now that most of the races are carried by Speed, I've gotten back into it. It is certainly not what it once was, primarily due to the massive funding washing around, and the domination by the manufacturers. MotoGP is just crazy...must need balls of steel to even contemplate doing that. I have heard that Rossi was contemplating/courted by Ferrari, al a Surtees...that would be a neat transition to see.

[The Dirt]

Hey, guys...

A quick tutorial on how to correctly 'hold on' in a moving train....





No, no! The older guy by the door!!

I worry about you guys sometimes.

[tonyh]

What old guy? There is a door?

Tony

[kerr]

Huh! Beginners stuff, the way my wife secures my neck on the bike is far more secure...

[webenda]

[rogruth]

Mike,

Pictures?