Saturday, May 30, 2009
RANDOM ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA
DOCK- plant. blah blah
DOCKYARDS- previously in reign of henry VIII, kings didn't have naval arsenals or dockyards, nor any regular civil or naval officers or ships of war. did have admirals. the evidence(?) in 1200's blah blah 310-318. did brit DY's
DODO- from puertuguese doudo(a simpleton) large bird formerly inhabiting the island of mauritius, but extinct.
p found M in 1502/1545ish. found said birds. then dutch. no wings. large heads, minor tail. dutch called them walghvogels-nauseous birds. unedible, nasty tasting, tho breast tender. later called dodaarsen/drouten. list of painting of said dodo. blah blah
DOG- blah blah canidae- illust breeds. 324-331.
DOGE- modified form of italian duce from latin dux, a leader or duke. chief magistrate of genoa + venice.
in venice the doge chosen by universal sufferage, office for life + civil, military, + ecclesiastic chief. in 755, his independence was diminished by appointment of 2 assistants/duumvirs, but the doge again retained powers. usually few powerful families, but in 1033 the hereditary despots checked by flabenigo's law. duumivirate back, 6 councilmen blah blah blah
