A boy is about to go on his first date, and is nervous about what to talk about. He asks his father for advice.
The father replies, "My son, there are three subjects that always work. These are food, family, and philosophy."
The boy picks up his date and they go to a soda fountain. Ice cream sodas in front of them, they stare at each other for a long time, as the boy"s nervousness builds.
He remembers his father"s advice, and chooses the first topic.
He asks the girl, "Do you like spinach?"
She says "No," and the silence returns.
After a few more uncomfortable minutes, the boy thinks of his father"s suggestion and turns to the second item on the list. He asks, "Do you have a brother?" Again, the girl says "No" and there is silence once again.
The boy then plays his last card. He thinks of his father"s advice and asks the girl the following question: "If you had a brother, would he like spinach?"
—adj. Irish or highland gaelic. —n. The gaelic language. [early scots form of *irish]
ESPY
v. (-ies, -ied) catch sight of. [french: related to *spy]
ETCH
v. - a reproduce (a picture etc.) By engraving it on a metal plate with acid (esp. To print copies). B engrave (a plate) in this way.
- practise this craft.
- (foll. By on, upon) impress deeply (esp. On the mind). etcher n. [dutch etsen]
ETTE
suffix forming nouns meaning: 1 small (kitchenette).
- imitation or substitute (flannelette).
- female (usherette). [french]
EURO
comb. Form europe, european. [abbreviation]
EVEN
chance n. Equal chance of success or failure.
- money n. Betting odds offering the gambler the chance of winning the amount staked.
- —adj. (evener, evenest) 1 level; smooth.
- a uniform in quality; constant. B equal in amount or value etc. C equally balanced.
- (of a person's temper etc.) Equable, calm.
- a (of a number) divisible by two without a remainder. B bearing such a number (no parking on even dates). C not involving fractions; exact (in even dozens). —adv. - inviting comparison of the assertion, negation, etc., with an implied one that is less strong or remarkable (never even opened [let alone read] the letter; ran even faster [not just as fast as before]).
- introducing an extreme case (even you must realize it). —v. (often foll. By up) make or become even. even now 1 now as well as before.
- at this very moment. Even so nevertheless. Even though despite the fact that. Get (or be) even with have one's revenge on. evenly adv. Evenness n. [old english]
- n. Poet. Evening. [old english]
EVER
adv. - at all times; always (ever hopeful; ever after).
- at any time (have you ever smoked?; nothing ever happens).
- (used for emphasis) in any way; at all (how ever did you do it?).
- (in comb.) Constantly (ever-present).
- (foll. By so, such) colloq. Very; very much (ever so easy; thanks ever so). did you ever? Colloq. Did you ever hear or see the like? Ever since throughout the period since. [old english]
