@yesthatsablusky.bsky.social
It's a major data point for the PIE reconstruction, and a major data point *against* the specific comic scenario.
November 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
It's a major data point for the PIE reconstruction, and a major data point *against* the specific comic scenario.
If that etymology turns out to be true, yes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
If that etymology turns out to be true, yes.
Exactly.
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Exactly.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metathe...
It's when a bunch of nearby sounds switch places.
(PIE is Proto-Indo-European. In fact the version of the root given in the comic is _after_ the metathesis; the usual reconstruction is *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, and there are reasons to suspect that it might have meant "destroyer".)
It's when a bunch of nearby sounds switch places.
(PIE is Proto-Indo-European. In fact the version of the root given in the comic is _after_ the metathesis; the usual reconstruction is *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, and there are reasons to suspect that it might have meant "destroyer".)
Metathesis (linguistics) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metathe...
It's when a bunch of nearby sounds switch places.
(PIE is Proto-Indo-European. In fact the version of the root given in the comic is _after_ the metathesis; the usual reconstruction is *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, and there are reasons to suspect that it might have meant "destroyer".)
It's when a bunch of nearby sounds switch places.
(PIE is Proto-Indo-European. In fact the version of the root given in the comic is _after_ the metathesis; the usual reconstruction is *h₂ŕ̥tḱos, and there are reasons to suspect that it might have meant "destroyer".)
Russians in the audience: what do you mean, everyone knows that the bear is called Michael.
(well, Misha, but that's short for Michael)
(well, Misha, but that's short for Michael)
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Russians in the audience: what do you mean, everyone knows that the bear is called Michael.
(well, Misha, but that's short for Michael)
(well, Misha, but that's short for Michael)
"Prince Zilagon, ruler of the Princedom of Florida, was a great and glorious man who who greatly expanded his territory and struck fear into the hearts of neighboring peoples."
(apparently from an early 19th century Russian novel - not technically fantasy but still incredibly fantastical)
(apparently from an early 19th century Russian novel - not technically fantasy but still incredibly fantastical)
THE PRINCEDOM OF FLORIDA. : languagehat.com
languagehat.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
"Prince Zilagon, ruler of the Princedom of Florida, was a great and glorious man who who greatly expanded his territory and struck fear into the hearts of neighboring peoples."
(apparently from an early 19th century Russian novel - not technically fantasy but still incredibly fantastical)
(apparently from an early 19th century Russian novel - not technically fantasy but still incredibly fantastical)
AFAICT the version in the comic can be almost certainly ruled out, but there's about a dozen other plausible versions that *could* be correct.
My favorite is "orc" (...which can apparently explain an otherwise mysterious scene in Beowulf, but is otherwise one of the less plausible reconstructions).
My favorite is "orc" (...which can apparently explain an otherwise mysterious scene in Beowulf, but is otherwise one of the less plausible reconstructions).
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
AFAICT the version in the comic can be almost certainly ruled out, but there's about a dozen other plausible versions that *could* be correct.
My favorite is "orc" (...which can apparently explain an otherwise mysterious scene in Beowulf, but is otherwise one of the less plausible reconstructions).
My favorite is "orc" (...which can apparently explain an otherwise mysterious scene in Beowulf, but is otherwise one of the less plausible reconstructions).
There had been some research prompted by the comic; it turns out that the answer is tricky because the PIE word had a very rare cluster in it and we don't really know what would happen to it in Germanic, and a lot of other branches did a metathesis there and we don't know if Germanic would have too.
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
There had been some research prompted by the comic; it turns out that the answer is tricky because the PIE word had a very rare cluster in it and we don't really know what would happen to it in Germanic, and a lot of other branches did a metathesis there and we don't know if Germanic would have too.
But yes, lots of extra work (mostly unexpected), tons of documents, and having to build mostly all-new social connections (except for the dozen or so friends who ended up immigrating in the same direction)
It's enough to make me miss Moscow sometimes. Then I look at the news and say not for a while
It's enough to make me miss Moscow sometimes. Then I look at the news and say not for a while
November 21, 2025 at 10:57 AM
But yes, lots of extra work (mostly unexpected), tons of documents, and having to build mostly all-new social connections (except for the dozen or so friends who ended up immigrating in the same direction)
It's enough to make me miss Moscow sometimes. Then I look at the news and say not for a while
It's enough to make me miss Moscow sometimes. Then I look at the news and say not for a while
TFW one of the reasons my family immigrated was to *not* be 3k miles away from extended family - almost all our closeish relatives in Moscow died of old age, and the closest remaining was a cousin once removed
(another reason, of course, was that Russia in 2022 was not a very nice place to stay in)
(another reason, of course, was that Russia in 2022 was not a very nice place to stay in)
November 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
TFW one of the reasons my family immigrated was to *not* be 3k miles away from extended family - almost all our closeish relatives in Moscow died of old age, and the closest remaining was a cousin once removed
(another reason, of course, was that Russia in 2022 was not a very nice place to stay in)
(another reason, of course, was that Russia in 2022 was not a very nice place to stay in)
Rav-Kav in Israel has an anonymous version and a personal version (with name and photo), and on the anonymous card you can buy stored value or a day pass but not any of the monthly passes
(I don't know how exactly it worked before the 2022 reform that got rid of most other categories of contracts)
(I don't know how exactly it worked before the 2022 reform that got rid of most other categories of contracts)
November 21, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Rav-Kav in Israel has an anonymous version and a personal version (with name and photo), and on the anonymous card you can buy stored value or a day pass but not any of the monthly passes
(I don't know how exactly it worked before the 2022 reform that got rid of most other categories of contracts)
(I don't know how exactly it worked before the 2022 reform that got rid of most other categories of contracts)
Incidentally, linking the context because I accidentally started this thread from a post that was later deleted (so it doesn't link to the original).
bsky.app/profile/lanr...
bsky.app/profile/lanr...
I’m going to push back a bit. While many ‘bikes’ are single occupancy (which are possibly the most efficient mover of a person), eCargo Bikes basically future proof your city. Moving mutiple people, products and parcels. And winters, please. Gloves, coat, boots Boom! 😊 spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
OP-ED: E-Cargo Bikes Aren't the Problem – SUVs Are - Spacing Toronto
Picture this: A parent pedals up to their child’s school on an e-cargo bike, their kid safely strapped in, chatting about their day. The pedal assist motor provides just enough boost to handle the wei...
spacing.ca
November 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Incidentally, linking the context because I accidentally started this thread from a post that was later deleted (so it doesn't link to the original).
bsky.app/profile/lanr...
bsky.app/profile/lanr...
Huh. Maybe I'm *also* underestimating how fit college folks generally are.
I stand by my comment that if you find it hard to walk you'll almost certainly also find it hard to bike, though if your commute is longer than about 2-3 km each way then walking might just be infeasible in terms of timing.
I stand by my comment that if you find it hard to walk you'll almost certainly also find it hard to bike, though if your commute is longer than about 2-3 km each way then walking might just be infeasible in terms of timing.
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Huh. Maybe I'm *also* underestimating how fit college folks generally are.
I stand by my comment that if you find it hard to walk you'll almost certainly also find it hard to bike, though if your commute is longer than about 2-3 km each way then walking might just be infeasible in terms of timing.
I stand by my comment that if you find it hard to walk you'll almost certainly also find it hard to bike, though if your commute is longer than about 2-3 km each way then walking might just be infeasible in terms of timing.
If you were lucky enough to learn in elementary/middle school, yes, it's trivially easy after that. (Until you get even a slight injury.)
But in retrospect maybe I'm underestimating how much training driving takes. I think it's usually about 6-8 months, versus maybe 4-6 months for biking? Not sure.
But in retrospect maybe I'm underestimating how much training driving takes. I think it's usually about 6-8 months, versus maybe 4-6 months for biking? Not sure.
November 20, 2025 at 10:22 PM
If you were lucky enough to learn in elementary/middle school, yes, it's trivially easy after that. (Until you get even a slight injury.)
But in retrospect maybe I'm underestimating how much training driving takes. I think it's usually about 6-8 months, versus maybe 4-6 months for biking? Not sure.
But in retrospect maybe I'm underestimating how much training driving takes. I think it's usually about 6-8 months, versus maybe 4-6 months for biking? Not sure.
It is a travesty, of course, that far more stable tricycles/quadcycles are so little culturally accepted except for very small children, and then mostly only as playground fair toys. But OTOH they *also* take up a lot more space.
I'd personally probably be looking at something like cycle rickshaws.
I'd personally probably be looking at something like cycle rickshaws.
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
It is a travesty, of course, that far more stable tricycles/quadcycles are so little culturally accepted except for very small children, and then mostly only as playground fair toys. But OTOH they *also* take up a lot more space.
I'd personally probably be looking at something like cycle rickshaws.
I'd personally probably be looking at something like cycle rickshaws.
Bikes are efficient if you're really fit and/or have a particularly strong sense of balance, and even then they require lots of training (probably at comparable levels to driving if not more so).
I guess in your optimal world everyone learns biking in kindergarten. Maybe then it could work, mostly.
I guess in your optimal world everyone learns biking in kindergarten. Maybe then it could work, mostly.
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Bikes are efficient if you're really fit and/or have a particularly strong sense of balance, and even then they require lots of training (probably at comparable levels to driving if not more so).
I guess in your optimal world everyone learns biking in kindergarten. Maybe then it could work, mostly.
I guess in your optimal world everyone learns biking in kindergarten. Maybe then it could work, mostly.
Valid. In a similar situation in 1999 I would have been on the back (luggage) seat - very tiny at the time...
That said, bikes *are* single occupancy vehicles, effectively, just tiny ones. Tricycles (and more so quadcycles) are in an awkward middle position - halfway to cars except not polluting.
That said, bikes *are* single occupancy vehicles, effectively, just tiny ones. Tricycles (and more so quadcycles) are in an awkward middle position - halfway to cars except not polluting.
November 20, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Valid. In a similar situation in 1999 I would have been on the back (luggage) seat - very tiny at the time...
That said, bikes *are* single occupancy vehicles, effectively, just tiny ones. Tricycles (and more so quadcycles) are in an awkward middle position - halfway to cars except not polluting.
That said, bikes *are* single occupancy vehicles, effectively, just tiny ones. Tricycles (and more so quadcycles) are in an awkward middle position - halfway to cars except not polluting.
It turns out that the medieval period corresponds surprisingly well with the 7th millennium of the Byzantine calendar (which was at the time still the main calendar in Eastern Orthodox lands)
There were, like, actual cults in the years approaching 1492 expecting the world to end with the year 7000
There were, like, actual cults in the years approaching 1492 expecting the world to end with the year 7000
November 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It turns out that the medieval period corresponds surprisingly well with the 7th millennium of the Byzantine calendar (which was at the time still the main calendar in Eastern Orthodox lands)
There were, like, actual cults in the years approaching 1492 expecting the world to end with the year 7000
There were, like, actual cults in the years approaching 1492 expecting the world to end with the year 7000
Rodrigo Borgia as well, though IMHO none of these are the *most* important reason, chronologically speaking, why that year should signify the end of the Middle Ages
November 20, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Rodrigo Borgia as well, though IMHO none of these are the *most* important reason, chronologically speaking, why that year should signify the end of the Middle Ages
Which month of 1492, and if August, which day?
(I'm personally an August 31st fan, though August 11th is also a good one)
(I'm personally an August 31st fan, though August 11th is also a good one)
November 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Which month of 1492, and if August, which day?
(I'm personally an August 31st fan, though August 11th is also a good one)
(I'm personally an August 31st fan, though August 11th is also a good one)
Let's be honest: if you're any of these, biking is even *less* of an option for you than walking, except to the extent that a wheelchair counts as a kind of bike (and/or to the extent that small children occasionally commute by tricycle).
Biking is maybe not *niche* but still very overpopularized.
Biking is maybe not *niche* but still very overpopularized.
November 20, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Let's be honest: if you're any of these, biking is even *less* of an option for you than walking, except to the extent that a wheelchair counts as a kind of bike (and/or to the extent that small children occasionally commute by tricycle).
Biking is maybe not *niche* but still very overpopularized.
Biking is maybe not *niche* but still very overpopularized.
...awkwardly split between "some religions are already doing it" and "what if you live in Murmansk and you don't *have* dawn on some days"
(also, by dawn you mean sunrise, right? or something else? I usually tend to see the term used to mean morning twilight, but that's a period, not a time point)
(also, by dawn you mean sunrise, right? or something else? I usually tend to see the term used to mean morning twilight, but that's a period, not a time point)
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
...awkwardly split between "some religions are already doing it" and "what if you live in Murmansk and you don't *have* dawn on some days"
(also, by dawn you mean sunrise, right? or something else? I usually tend to see the term used to mean morning twilight, but that's a period, not a time point)
(also, by dawn you mean sunrise, right? or something else? I usually tend to see the term used to mean morning twilight, but that's a period, not a time point)
They managed to create a Standard Italian language, they can manage to create a Standard Italian cuisine too. Though I'm not aware of any such ongoing project.
I guess you can use "Italian food" for the union of cuisines from Italy (cf. the situation with "American food", which is similarly varied)
I guess you can use "Italian food" for the union of cuisines from Italy (cf. the situation with "American food", which is similarly varied)
November 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
They managed to create a Standard Italian language, they can manage to create a Standard Italian cuisine too. Though I'm not aware of any such ongoing project.
I guess you can use "Italian food" for the union of cuisines from Italy (cf. the situation with "American food", which is similarly varied)
I guess you can use "Italian food" for the union of cuisines from Italy (cf. the situation with "American food", which is similarly varied)
Also very old trees can sometimes be just straight up unsafe in ways that make cutting them down a useful alternative to hoping it doesn't break anything when it inevitably falls by itself, and this kind of thing can easily (especially after a windstorm) change too fast to realistically get permits.
November 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Also very old trees can sometimes be just straight up unsafe in ways that make cutting them down a useful alternative to hoping it doesn't break anything when it inevitably falls by itself, and this kind of thing can easily (especially after a windstorm) change too fast to realistically get permits.