Author Archive
Idioms: Achillies’ Heel »
By Kaitlin Strohschein. "An Achilles Heel is a person's only vulnerable spot; a serious or fatal weakness," according to the Oxford University Press Dictionary of Idioms. Achilles, son of Thetis the sea nymph, and Peleus the King of the Myrmidons, was the greatest Achaean of the Trojan War, according to the Iliad. When Achilles was an infant, [...]
Plagiarism: intellectual theft »
By Kaitlin Strohschein. At BCC, students may receive failing grades and ultimately be expelled for cheating and plagiarism, according to the Arts and Humanities Division Web site. "It's an academic crime, a form of theft," said Roger George, an English instructor at BCC. Plagiarism, as defined by the Arts and Humanities Division Web site, is [...]
New global philosophy classes. »
By Kaitlin Strohschein. The BCC philosophy department will be offering two new global philosophy courses in the winter 2009 quarter. One of these courses will focus on Buddhist philosophy, and the other on American philosophy. Global philosophy courses "survey and assess major philosophers and philosophical traditions of a specified world region [...]
Idioms: “As certain as death and taxes.” »
By Kaitlin Strohschein. People pay taxes. Then, they die. The above idiom suggests that death and taxes are among life's unpleasant inevitabilities. Two authors are credited with invention of the saying "as certain as death and taxes." The First was the English novelist/journalist Daniel DeFoe who also authored over 500 pieces of writing which [...]
Idioms: “When in Rome, do as the Romans »
By Kaitlin Strohschein "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is a pithy saying with such distinctly pious, Catholic origins that perhaps it is written in stained glass somewhere. In 387 A.D., Saint Augustine moved from Rome to Milan. The renowned theologian, philosopher and author of numerous works of literature including "Confessions" and "The [...]
Idioms: “No Pain, No Gain” »
By Kaitlin Strohschein The next time you burn your tongue on a steaming cup of tea remember, "No pain, no gain!" Although this idiom and tea may at first appear to have few similarities, they share a common heritage: both have strong ancestral ties to England. One of the earliest written uses of the expression is attributed to [...]
Idioms: “Begging the question” »
"Begging the question" is a trick to winning arguments without using logic; it is a logical fallacy. Encarta Encyclopedia defines a logical fallacy as "a mistake made in the process of moving from the premises of an argument to the conclusion."
Idioms: “A needle in a haystack” »
By Kaitlin Strohschein In Bellevue, it is rather difficult to locate a haystack. Finding a needle within one is well nigh impossible. However, even under the best of circumstances, the authors of the above idiom suggest that finding "a needle in a haystack" would be difficult under the best of circumstances. According to the American Heritage [...]
Idioms: “My name is mud” »
By Kaitlin Strohschein Merriam Webster Dictionary defines mud as, "soft, wet earth." It is also the home of earthworms, an ideal substance in which to grow plants, and the main ingredient in mud pies. Although mud serves some important functions, in the above expression it colloquially means uselessness. There are two widely held theories [...]
Where to Go for a “Cup o’ Joe” »
By Britten Stark and Kaitlin Strohschein There are many coffee shops on campus. Though Tully's coffee seems to dominate the BCC landscape, there are other options available. There are several coffee shops that are labeled Tully's (and one Starbucks), which simply serve that coffee. Don't expect to use gift cards issued by either company on [...]
