In a message dated 9/9/99 10:25:06 AM EST, DonJQueen@aol.com writes:
<< My Merriam Webster (at home so this is not an exact reference) defines
the noun Corinthian as a gentleman who participates because of the love
of the sport....bull's-eye!!!
Richard >>
Consider this a challenge. I really do want to learn, but the definition you
suggest does not exist in Merriam Webster or any other dictionary I can find.
Don
>>
Logging on regarding the Corinthian controversy. According to my Webster's
New International Dictionary of the English Language, second edition,
Unabridged , 1936 edition ( the same year as my Morgan Three Wheeler!)
Root of the word is from the word Corinth - a city of ancient Greece famed
for its luxury and licentiousness (!!! WOW huh)
The word Corinthian has both an adjectival and noun form, to wit:
Adj. Pertaining to Corinth (see above, more licentiousness !!)
There are then two architectural references which I am omitting here then:
"In allusion: a. To Corinthian morals: given to luxurious dissipation. b.
To Corinthian art, gracefully ornate."
"n. 1. A native of Corinth ( and assumably a licentious individual !!) 2.
In allusion to Corinthian morals and wealth: a. A gay, licentious person. b.
A fashionable man about town; esp. a man of means, given to sport, who drives
his own horses, sails his own yacht, or the like. "
So if you describe a car as "Corinthian" you might mean "gracefully ornate".
If you describe a driver as "Corinthian" select your definition carefully. I
guess the second version of the noun form is safe ? Oh but the licentiousness
!! Publicizing some of this widely might make vintage racing more of a
spectator sport than it is. "Licentious racing at Lime Rock this weekend"
Regards;
Bob Paul
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