Classics Retold

Dandle-smack-and-coddle is not a fixed idiom but a cluster of old English verbs that all belong to same semantic field. It can be interpreted as physical affection, indulgence, and over-tender handling - especially of children. Each word has its own history and naunce, and when combined, they create a rich, almost poetic expression of pampering, fondling, spoiling, or overindulgent care.  Let us break it down:  1. Dandle: To bounce a child on the knee, playfully lift, rock, or handle with affection.  She dandled the baby upon her knee. The word derived from Middle English, probably meaning imitative or repetitive motion (like jiggle, or jiggle) It is playful physical action. Rhythmic, gentle action. Parental tender movement. 2. Smack:  Light tapping, kissing sound, or playful slaps, especially affectionate ones. She gave the child a smack upon the cheek. It is friendly, not violent. 3. Coddle:  To treat someone with excessive care, indulgence and protection. Der...

The evening of St Valentine's day. At dusk Boldwood sat down to supper as usual by a beaming fire of aged logs. Upon the mantle-shelf before him was a time-piece on top of which was placed a spread eagle. Upon the eagle's wings was the letter sent by Bathsheba. His gaze lingered on the letter, as he sat eating and drinking, and he fancied the words thereon, although they were out of his sight.  "Marry me"  Since the receipt of the missive in the morning his peaceful existence had been spreading into an abnormal distortion in the particular direction of an ideal passion.  When Boldwood went to bed, he placed the valentine in the corner of the looking glass. He was conscious of its presence even when his back was turned upon it. It was first time in his life that such an event occurred. Some woman's hand had travelled softly over the paper bearing his name. The unknown woman's eyes had watched every curve as she wrote it. She had imagined him the while. What had...

The Bonobo (pan paniscus) like chimpanzee, is another closest living relative of homosapien.  They are found exclusively in the low land rain forests of Congo, south of a river by that name. Purely matriarchal led by female bands. More peaceful than chimpanzees, and frequently use sex as a tool for social bonding and conflict resolution.  They have slender bodies and longer legs, darker faces with pink lips, when compared to chimpanzees. An engendered species. Typically live 40 years in captivity. Like chimpanzees, they are not proficient swimmers, and trapped in Congo basin, south of the river and seperated from their ancestors, chimpanzees. Also known as pigmy chimpanzee because of their small size.  Recent groundbreaking studies published in February 2026 reveal that bonobos possess cognitive building blocks for imagination and pretense-play, abilities long considered unique to humans.  The most significant study published in the Journal Science, centred on Kanzi,...

Sexagesima is second Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the eighth Sunday before Easter. It serves as a key point in the pre-Lenten season, a traditional period used to spiritually prepare for the rigors of Lent.  The name comes from the Latin sexagesimus meaning sixtieth, while it is actually fifty six days before Easter, the name is an approximation used to fit the numerical sequence alongside Septuagesima (70th) and Quinquagesima (50th) Ash Wednesday marks the official beginning of Lent, a 40 day liturgical season (excluding Sundays) of prayer, fasting and repentance leading upto Easter.  Rigors of Lent refers to the traditional  practices of self-discipline, sacrifice and spiritual training that Christins undertake to prepare for Easter.  Some of these traditions, practices and customs existed even before Jesus and had its roots in Jewish,  Greco-Roman asceticism, Indian religions, Buddhism, and Jainism, pre-Islamic Arab traditions and ancient Mesopotamian reli...

In the nineteenth century, 25th March had been observed as the Feast of Annunciation or Lady Day,  an abbreviation of our Lady's Day. It is an age old custom, which had been in practice in English rural societies. It had its roots in the economic life of the people, and evolved in course of time. While the Church provided a name and fixed a date, the custom was largely driven by the economic and agricultural practices and traditions.  The Role of Church in fixing the date. The Church established the date and name and adopted it into their own system. The Church decided to celebrate 25th March as Our Lady's Day; It commemorates the announcement to Mary by angel Gabriel that she was to be the mother of Christ. The day is known as the Feast of Annunciation. In common parlance it is came to be called Lady Day. It was a major celebration observed by Catholic and Orthodox churches. It is the first quarter day of the year, the date when rents are due, farm tenancies begin and servant...

Carnation is a double flowered cultivated variety of clove pink with grey green leaves and showy pink or white colour. Its scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus, Greek term meaning the flower of gods.  Origin: The wild carnation is native to the Mediterranean region, but it is found across globe due to cultivation. It was found growing spontaneously, and its early cultivation history is debated. It is found in (1) Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Sicily, Sardania, Greece, Albania and Croatia; (2) Western Asia: Turkey and parts of Balkan Peninsula (3) Colombia is its leading exporter. (4) Netherlands is its global hub for auction trade. While not native to India, carnations are widely cultivated in India: In regions with cooler climate - Shimla, Kulu, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Highrange Kerala, Bangalore, Ooty and Nilgiris. It is the official flower for Mother's day. They are the National flower of Spain, Monaco, and Slovenia.               ...