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Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 21:02:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: wsmith@wordsmith.org
To: linguaphile@wordsmith.org
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--gadfly
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gadfly (GAD-fly) noun

   1. One who persistently annoys.

   2. Any of the various types of flies that bite livestock.

[From gad (a goad for cattle), from Middle English, from Old Norse gaddr.]

   "Despite his stern image, (Jean) Drapeau loved gossip and bawdy, sometimes
   silly jokes. Because of that he became close friends with a vocal critic,
   opposition councillor and gadfly Nick Auf der Maur."
   Anthony Wilson-Smith, The Monumental Mayor, Maclean's (Toronto),
   Aug 23, 1999.

This week's theme: animal words.

............................................................................
Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the
space where there is nothing. Thus, taking advantage of what is, we
recognize the utility of what is not. -Lao Tzu, philosopher (circa 600 BCE)

Q: Tomorrow is my friend's birthday and I forgot to send her a gift. Help!
A: Give the gift of words. Send a gift subscription of A.Word.A.Day at
   http://wordsmith.org/awad/gift.html . It is the gift that keeps on
   giving the whole year long, and beyond.

Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/gadfly.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/gadfly.ram