Monday Word: Ophidian

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

ophidian [oh-fid-ee-uhn ]

adjective:
1. belonging or pertaining to the suborder Ophidia (Serpentes), comprising the snakes.

examples:
It is her treatment by others — mostly lustful and vengeful gods — that brings about her ophidian transformation, and even still she tries to protect the world she loves from the harm of her destructive gaze. Washington Post Feb 1, 2023

The jeweler’s earliest snake-inspired pieces tended toward abstraction, referencing ophidian sinuousness by way of a corrugated gold bracelet — based on the articulated flex of gas piping — that slithered up the wrist. New York Times Mar 4, 2022

An obnoxious ophidian invaded a soccer pitch in Guatemala, delaying a game between Nueva Concepcion and Municipal. Seattle Times Feb 25, 2022

origin:
First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin Ophidi(a) (neuter plural) name of the suborder (from Greek ophídion (neuter singular), equivalent to óph(is) “serpent” + -idion diminutive suffix) + -an

This week is the Lunar New Year, welcoming in the Year of the Snake!

Comments

[zenigotchas]

Off topic but some snakes really are cute

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

🤣 excellent point

[zenigotchas]

The tiny ones like garter snakes (they're also friendly to people)

[full_metal_ox]

Folklore Fun Fact: people born in the Year of the Snake are supposed to be the greatest beauties.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Nice! I am a rabbit 🐰🐇

[full_metal_ox]

And my sign is right there in my nom de net.

[prettygoodword]

So born in '61/early '62?

[full_metal_ox]

This coming 17 February is when I find out whether I’ll still be needed and fed.

(Sir Paul McCartney has the peculiar distinction of being a rock star who has aged into a lot of his youthful work—he wrote that song at 15!)

[prettygoodword]

We're very aware of this lunar new year: the Eaglet was born in the previous year of the snake, plus they're in a lion dance troupe and this is peak performance season.

Oh, um, and the word itself. Uh, the Eaglet has an ophidian pet (ball python). There.

[full_metal_ox]

That makes the Eaglet contemporaneous with my oldest grandniece, whose preferred performing art at the moment is ballet.

And my sister is a Wood Snake, and therefore looking at a Significant Birthday this year. (Both could be presented in support of the belief that the sign confers beauty.)

Have you and Eaglet ever seen the movie Martial Club (1981)? It deals with early adventures of the legendary doctor, Kung Fu master, and activist Huang Fei Hong; lion dancing, among his accomplishments, plays a significant role in the story, and its rules of protocol are meticulously set forth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_R-aa3qP3k

[prettygoodword]

No! -- Hadn't met that one. Will send it on.

We did both have a blast with the scene from an early Jackie Chan movie that's basically a martial arts lion dance duel. Should watch that again.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Oh, wow! That's cool!

[prettygoodword]

It is! Been doing it for six years now, since first grade.

[full_metal_ox]

Which end are they?

[prettygoodword]

Always tail -- at least with their usual partner, and they've been paired all six years. When partner is absent, Eaglet will play head as needed, but prefers not to. (The shifu would like them to learn head moves better, for flexibility, but isn't pushing it.)

[med_cat]

Very apt :)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes! Happy year of the ophidian! 🐍