When I was in the U.S. Army, there was a saying. "A bitching troop is a happy troop." I complained too, but it was about something more concrete than "The Army Sucks." When I heard someone say that I would add "and not even in the fun way." It helped break the mood of despair and misery with new troops.
Seneca understood what it meant to suffer misfortune, but he also knew that you didn't have to let misfortune run over you. To tough it out was what made a soldier worth his salt. That was especially true during a field exercise in the middle of fuck'n winter. I mean, who the hell are we going to fight in the middle of a blizzard? NO ONE. The only blizzard the young troops were interested in was at Dairy Queen.
In Kansas, it was cold. No wait! It was God Damned Cold. You could count on your testicals to climb up into your belly, when you got out of that warm toasty sleeping bag. But endure we must. Most times it was to demonstrate that you were tough enough to handle it. The other times it was to avoid a disciplinary action, having failed to "Soldier Up." But I digress. The show must go on come hell high water.
Being a Canadian citizen and big time supporter of Canadian musicians, I beg to differ about your opinion of Trooper (the band).
I have seen them perform live multiple times and they continue to bring the house down!! I have met (& partied) all the (original) band members as well. Since being founded in 1975 by Ra McGuire (vocalist) and Brian Smith (guitarist), they are and will continue to the best party band this country has to offer!!
I once was in a (very) amateur production of Taming Of The Shrew. The lead male broke his ankle, and his understudy was hit by a car the same afternoon - in ICU.
Pete (the male lead) did the three performances, including the choreographed fights and carrying Kate off stage, over his shoulder - without a cast because his boots wouldn't fit over it!
Firstly, A. Gnosticthefirst has an awesome name and an even better comment. But, James, every time I read your work, I learn something new. I bought your first book for my son for Christmas. Book 2 will be this year. :)
I have lived life under both definitions. I must admit one was much more fun than the other, but the other did get me to all the {military) garden spots of the world in the 80's and 90's.
Thank you, James! If anything proves your trouperdom, it's your CB&C. A lesser person would have let it slide, but your creative comeback game is on pointe!
Next, please do “nauseous” and “nauseated.” I’m going to run mad and I sound like such a jerk when I (gently) correct someone who has just announced that he makes other people sick.
Maintaining sanity on a long road tour for a rock band is not without its challenges. The band Trooper were troupers in a bright white sports car.
The word etymology is sometimes confused with entomology. There's a bug in the dictionary.
Well done.
Good old General Hand Grenade…
Ignus arum probate miseria fortes viros = "Fire tests gold, misfortune strong men." - Seneca
When I was in the U.S. Army, there was a saying. "A bitching troop is a happy troop." I complained too, but it was about something more concrete than "The Army Sucks." When I heard someone say that I would add "and not even in the fun way." It helped break the mood of despair and misery with new troops.
Seneca understood what it meant to suffer misfortune, but he also knew that you didn't have to let misfortune run over you. To tough it out was what made a soldier worth his salt. That was especially true during a field exercise in the middle of fuck'n winter. I mean, who the hell are we going to fight in the middle of a blizzard? NO ONE. The only blizzard the young troops were interested in was at Dairy Queen.
In Kansas, it was cold. No wait! It was God Damned Cold. You could count on your testicals to climb up into your belly, when you got out of that warm toasty sleeping bag. But endure we must. Most times it was to demonstrate that you were tough enough to handle it. The other times it was to avoid a disciplinary action, having failed to "Soldier Up." But I digress. The show must go on come hell high water.
Trouper and trooper, rein and reign, so many little wrong things.
At least trooper can be used with some accuracy to mean brave endurance. But rein and reign have two completely different meanings.
The latest one that makes me crazy is lead when they want led. Oy!
Seated and seeded.
Not a misused homophone, but just as irritating: Out of pocket.
Being a Canadian citizen and big time supporter of Canadian musicians, I beg to differ about your opinion of Trooper (the band).
I have seen them perform live multiple times and they continue to bring the house down!! I have met (& partied) all the (original) band members as well. Since being founded in 1975 by Ra McGuire (vocalist) and Brian Smith (guitarist), they are and will continue to the best party band this country has to offer!!
This of course, is just my opinion!!
Not a comment on their musical or performance abilities. Merely an assessment of record sales. ABBA is one of the bestselling bands of all time.
I like this.
I once was in a (very) amateur production of Taming Of The Shrew. The lead male broke his ankle, and his understudy was hit by a car the same afternoon - in ICU.
Pete (the male lead) did the three performances, including the choreographed fights and carrying Kate off stage, over his shoulder - without a cast because his boots wouldn't fit over it!
Now THAT'S a Trouper!
It so figures they were talking about artists and someone made it about the military.
I had no idea, and appreciate learning the etymology of the word, and its correct spelling.
Firstly, A. Gnosticthefirst has an awesome name and an even better comment. But, James, every time I read your work, I learn something new. I bought your first book for my son for Christmas. Book 2 will be this year. :)
I think I’ve used both interchangeably. Shame on me as an English major.
I have lived life under both definitions. I must admit one was much more fun than the other, but the other did get me to all the {military) garden spots of the world in the 80's and 90's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG_brDZoLAs
I thought I was going to see ABBA, my bad.
Love it! (Especially the hair!)
Thank you, James! If anything proves your trouperdom, it's your CB&C. A lesser person would have let it slide, but your creative comeback game is on pointe!
Next, please do “nauseous” and “nauseated.” I’m going to run mad and I sound like such a jerk when I (gently) correct someone who has just announced that he makes other people sick.
Thank you!