<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div><span>I'm going to humbly request that J-J take this one, for two reasons. 1) is that J-J was tied with Ranjit on the last round, and now tied with me, and that seems to average out for a win. 2) is that I had minor eye surgery last week and am still limiting the time I spend staring at a computer screen (a problem given my chosen profession). Hope that's OK! </span></div><div><span><br></span></div><div><span>And, yeah, for the boarding school thing I kind of thought it would be _more_ plausible if there was no explicit connection to Samson of the Bible, etc. I figure there was once some local student named Samson who performed this service for somebody, and the name caught on at, you know, Eton or wherever, and spread from there.</span></div><div><br><blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid
rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "> <div dir="ltr"> <font size="2" face="Arial"> <hr size="1"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b> Ranjit Bhatnagar <ranjit@moonmilk.com><br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> fictionary <fictionary@swarpa.net> <br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:52 PM<br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> [Fictionary] samson post results<br> </font> </div> <br>
<meta http-equiv="x-dns-prefetch-control" content="off"><div id="yiv541344867"><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Nobody sent in a tiebreaker vote, so we have a tie! I'll let you two settle it between yourselves. The actual winner, by points, was the dictionary definition, the post on a boat. And our two human winners, with six points each, were Jacob, with boarding school contraband (candy? cigarettes? porn mags?), and Jean-Joseph, with the demolition jargon.<br>
<br>I'll note that Jacob earned all his points through the votes of others, while Jean-Joseph got 33% of his points by choosing the correct definition. However, I don't have any sense as to who gets the advantage from that. I further note that they both have names starting with J, but J-J has twice as many. <br>
<br>Anyway, the full results follow.<br><br>Take it away.... one of you!<br><br>- ranjit<br><br><br><br>Nicolas: </font>I'm ignoring all of the biblically inspired definitions, because that seems too easy, but maybe that really is correct.<font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
Hutch: </font><span>Throwing out anything about the mail or about "critical structural columns".</span><div><font><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif">Nora: </font></font><span>These were fun to read!<br>
Elliott: </span>I'm eliminating the ones that have to do with actual posts (in the sense of big sticks).<br><span>Linda: </span><span>It's getting harder for me to reply to the ballots by writing between the lines, as my reply doesn't include what has been sent, so, I wish you had numbered the defs for easy reference.</span></div>
<div><span><font color="#222222" face="arial, sans-serif">(Good idea!)<br></font><br><br></span><font><br><br><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">NICOLAS -- 2 pts for correct guess</font><br>
<font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">(no def)</font><br><br><br><br><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">JACOB -- 6 pts</font><br><span style="font-size: small; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; ">samson</span> <span style="font-size: small; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; ">post, n. </span><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">(English boarding school slang) A delivery of contraband sent by
arrangement to a local "day" boy and secretly carried into school. </font><br><br>Joe: </font>This seems like it'd be a useful thing to have. 2 points<br>Elliott: Creative and fun, even if I don't believe it. Two points.<br>
<font><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Nicolas: </font></font>Why not? 1 point.<br>
David: 1 point</div><div>Hutch: <span>Although I said I was throwing out anything about the mail, this one </span><span>remains very tempting.</span><br>
Jean-Joseph: Hmm. Not sure why this would be "samson".<br>Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Maybe a delivery of doggie contraband named Samson!</font></div><div><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Linda: </font><span> I kinda like the boarding school delivery service, as it reminded me of how contraband stuff got smuggled into the prison I taught art at for a year, although I really didn't want to know about all that in case I got someone in trouble--including myself. (I played by the book).</span><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br>
</font><br><br><br><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
JEAN-JOSEPH -- 4 + 2 pts for correct guess<br>
<span>samson</span> <span>post, n. </span>A
structural column identified during a building demolition as being
critical to causing a controlled collapse. Most structures will have
several columns that will need to be eliminated with explosives, in
which case the first one to be blown in a sequenced operation will be
designated the <span>samson</span> <span>post</span>.<br><br>Pierre: </font><span>I'm giving this one two points, because there were originally two samson </span><span>posts.</span><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
Nora: </font>This seems the most plausible to me, so it gets 2 votes!<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Jean-Joseph: </font>Unimaginitive, I know, and I half expected there to be several
obvious definitions along these lines. In the words of the Rev.
Gary Davis, "If I had my way in this wicked world, I would tear this
old building down".<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Joe: </font>I like the derivation from the biblical Samson, but this seems a bit
contrived. Easier to see the biblical connection than the other similar
def, though.<br>Linda: <span>I did see recently a TV show (Science Channel?) about very exquisite demolitions, with the delayed detonations set at various supporting vertical beams, but the name Samson did not come up. </span><br>
<br><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>ERIC -- 3 + 2 pts for correct guess<br><span>samson</span> <span>post</span>, n. Hand-delivery. "To send it <span>samson</span> <span>post</span>" -- to deliver it oneself. Derivation unknown.<br>
<br>Jean-Joseph: </font>Well, the "derivation unknown" gets around the lack of connection to
Samson. One point.<br>Linda: <span>Okay, liking the idea of Shank's mare, I will give one vote to the self-delivery.</span></div><div><span>Pierre: </span><span>One point.</span></div><div><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Nicolas: </font>I think I'll stick to "sneakernet" for this sense.<br>
Nora:<font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"> When
I saw "To send it samson post" my first thought was to give it to
Samson (your dog), and I thought, he'll never take it anywhere! and he
might eat it or pee on it!</font><br>Elliott: No compelling reason to vote for it, although it looks plausible.</div><div><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">
<br><br><br></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">RANDOM HOUSE DICTIONARY via <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://dictionary.reference.com">dictionary.reference.com</a> -- 8 pts<br>samson post, n. (Naut.) 1. A strong bitt or post at the bow or stern of a vessel.</font><font><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "> 2. A king post for supporting cargo-handling booms on the deck of a ship.</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; ">
</font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>Nicolas: </font>This sounds nautical. 2 points.<br>Eric: Two points. Parts of ships are usually suspect, but this seems the best
of what we have. Also, *I* almost sent in a part-of-ship def, so I'll
vote for this one.<br>Hutch: <span>2 points</span><br>Jean-Joseph: Ah, this would be something strong. I'll bite, two points.<br><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span>JOE -- 2 pts</span></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
<span>samson</span> <span>post, n. </span>A short, sturdy <span>post</span> intended to prevent vehicles from entering a pedestrian-only area.<br><br>Linda: </font><span>And two points for the pedestrian-only protection. I'd have thought that the author of that one would have included posts that prevent entry to secure buildings and driveways by terrorists, as well. </span><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
Nicolas: </font>Isn't this a stanchion? Or is that a bollard?<br>Jean-Joseph: Usually known as a bollard.<br>
Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">I like this one, also. If there isn't a special name for it, it ought to have one.</font><br>
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<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br><br></font><font>NORA -- </font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">2 pts<br>
</font>
<font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span>samson</span> <span>post</span>, n. In American football, a special deep <span>post</span>
play, where one wide-receiver runs a short up-the-middle pattern and
the other runs straight up the field, turning in toward the <span>post</span> at about 20 or 30 yards. Named after Paul <span>Samson</span>, head coach of Emporia State University, Emporia KS, from 1904-06, and again in 1908, who developed the play.<br>
<br>Nora: </font>Paul Samson did actually exist, and he was head coach of Emporia State for the dates I mentioned in case anyone was wondering...David: 2 points<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Nicolas: </font>Plausible, but as far as I know football plays aren't generally named after people. Also it seems unlikely that a play from that long ago would persist.<br>
<font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Joe: </font>No dictionary that I respect would call it "American football". This is
America, we just call it "football" here. So I'm afraid I can't vote
for this.<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">
Jean-Joseph: </font>Gotta thrown out the eponyms, just because I need reasons to throw
things out.<br>Elliott: Beautifully detailed (``and again in 1908''). Sounds plausible, though
it may be a transparent forgery to anyone who knows football.<br>Pierre: <span>What's the bandwidth of the wide receiver?</span><br><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br><br></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">PIERRE -- <br>
<span>samson</span> <span>post</span>, n. Any of a series of posts, generally 1.5 to 2 meters apart, which hold up a balcony.<br>
<br>Jean-Joseph: </font>Sort of like my definition, but we have to use our imaginations to
picture the balcony collapsing.<br>Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">My balcony has samson two-by-fours attached to the outside wall.<br>Elliott: </font>The ``1.5 to 2 meters'' makes me suspicious. That seems awfully
restrictive, and architects take lots of liberties for the sake of
appearance.<br><br><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
<br><br></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">ELLIOTT -- <br>
<span>samson</span> <span>post, n. </span>(sl.) A position teaching art, music, or drama in a school district where they are regarded as dispensable.<br><br>Elliott: </font>The Biblical pun may be less obvious than I thought when I wrote this one. Oh, well.<br>
<font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Nicolas: </font>Sad, but seems unlikely to need a word.<br>Jean-Joseph: Hmm, but why "samson"?<br>
Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">Isn't that ALL school districts? (sadly)<br>Linda: </font><span>what I consider essential school subjects, such as music and art, have become far too dispensible according to penny-pinching school districts, whose right-brained students would have a better attitude toward school if the arts were included.</span><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
</font><br><br>
<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br></font><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">HUTCH -- 1 + 2 pts for guess<br>
<span>samson</span> <span>post</span>, n. (fr. Basque) An isolated natural spire, tower, or obelisk, esp. one which leans as if it had been a projectile; hoodoo<br></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
Joe: </font>Not sure I like this definition, but I like the idea of samson having derived from some Basque word. 1 point<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">
Nicolas: </font>I don't know enough about Basque to see if this is a believable word.<br>Jean-Joseph: Not clear how this would come from Basque, unless it's a
hobson-jobson, but then I would have expected more detail about the
Basque word.<br>Elliott: This one comes out of the blue for me. Basque? Shot-looking rock formation?<br><br><br><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span><span><br>
</span></span></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span>LINDA -- </span></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">4 pts<br>
<span>samson</span> <span>post</span>, n. (fr. Australian eventing winner Adele <span>Samson</span>)
A special horseriding seat, in which the rider bounces on the saddle
only half as often as with the regular English hunt position.<br><br>Eric: </font>One point for the phrase "bounces on the saddle".</div><div>Hutch: <span>1 point</span><br>Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">hmmm...
besides mine, this is the only other sporting one, so I will give it my
One vote just because, although I don't think it's very plausible.</font><br>Elliott: Excellent! I like the use of ``seat'' to mean ``way of sitting'', too. One point.<br>Jean-Joseph: The other eponym. Interesting to imagine how the seat would halve
the frequency, unless it had a complex suspension that would
resonate at a subharmonic, but that seems like it would work only
for a specific frequency, or else you'd probably get beating...</div><div><span>Linda: in coming up with a def, I first thought of the Biblical Sampson (sp?) of the long hair, but figured it was too easy. </span><br>
<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
<br></font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">DAVID --<br>
</font><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span><span>samson</span> <span>post, n. A</span> package of hair delivered to a wigmaker via the postal service<br><br>Jean-Joseph: </span></font>The sender must demand payment in advance, knowing that afterwards
he'll be too wimpy to collect.<br>Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span><span>while wearing a hairshirt!</span></span></font><br>Elliott: Hee!</div><div>Linda: <span>the Delilah-image of wig/hair delivery is charming.</span></div>
<div>Pierre: <span>Is that a samson post or a delilah post?</span><br>
<br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><span><span>
<br><br></span></span></font><br><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">JIM --<br>
</font><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><font><span>samson</span> <span>post</span>, n. A load-bearing vertical member whose removal
will compromise the stability of its entire encompassing
structure.</font></div><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>Jean-Joseph: </font>Yeah, I figured there would be at least one other...<br>Nora: <font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2">This is very much like the one I think is the actual definition. Maybe this is the real one? But I'll stick with my gut.<br>
</font><span>Pierre: This goes along with the controlled demolition def. I'll put one hand on each</span><br><span>of them and push, and so I picked one by the R. B. Trary rule.</span><font style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; " size="2"><br>
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