Yes, I think you're probably right about this, Martin, that "ancient theory of the
humours," and well, this is all connected, "phlegm, cold & wet" with still saying "I
have a cold," and there is the feeling of coldness at the coldness of the weather.
I'd guess most of us think we know what it is 'to feel cold' or 'to be met coldly'
or to say 'there's a chill' in the air, as there seems to be here this morning, and
so perhaps it's just the transposition from weather and bodily sensations to
feeling, so on that note, stay warm!
best,
Rebecca
---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 10:36:03 +0100
>From: MJ Walker <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Names of the god, was Re: Mark, two translations/same Cavafy
poem
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>I would say to the ancient theory of the humours that played such a role
>in European medical thinking via Hippocrates - "cold feelings" sounds
>like black bile, cold and dry, though phlegm, cold & wet, might also be
>responsible.
>mj
>
>Alison Croggon wrote:
>
>>On 18/1/05 2:02 AM, "Christopher Walker" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>One issue is why (or how) you get temperature mapped onto charity, unless
>>>it's vice versa. I dislike the conventional explanation < unheated
>>>charitable institutions and so forth. On the other hand I'm not entirely
>>>unconvinced, and I don't really have anything better.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>How old are such concepts as "cold" feelings, &c? I'd think they'd go
>>pretty far back, and must be linked to this usage?
>>
>>A
>>
>>Alison Croggon
>>
>>Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
>>Editor, Masthead: http://masthead.net.au
>>Home page: http://alisoncroggon.com
>>
>>
>>
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