From lojban@cuvmb.bitnet Tue Jul 30 00:00:25 1996 Received: from punt4.demon.co.uk by stryx.demon.co.uk with SMTP id AA13390 ; Tue, 30 Jul 96 00:00:23 BST Received: from punt-4.mail.demon.net by mailstore for ia@stryx.demon.co.uk id 838664227:28807:1; Mon, 29 Jul 96 19:17:07 BST Received: from cunyvm.cuny.edu ([128.228.1.2]) by punt-4.mail.demon.net id aa28502; 29 Jul 96 19:16 +0100 Received: from CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU by CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU (IBM VM SMTP V2R3) with BSMTP id 2803; Mon, 29 Jul 96 14:16:11 EDT Received: from CUVMB.COLUMBIA.EDU by CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Mailer R2.07) with BSMTP id 4408; Mon, 29 Jul 96 14:15:58 EDT Date: Mon, 29 Jul 1996 14:15:28 -0400 Reply-To: John Cowan Sender: Lojban list From: John Cowan Organization: Lojban Peripheral Subject: Re: may the wind be always at your back X-To: Lojban List To: Multiple recipients of list LOJBAN Message-ID: <838664193.28502.0@cunyvm.cuny.edu> Status: R la stivn. cusku di'e > Running downwind is a rather nervous tack, as there is the > danger of an unintentional jibe, which can capsize the craft. Conveying > wishes to be slow and nervous seem more like a curse than a blessing. Is > there a reference for the assertion that this is a natical term? I am > familiar with this phrase from a plaque that my grandmother had in her > parlor, which was titled "An Irish Blessing May the road rise to meet you, > may the wind be always at your back...may the Lord hold you in the hollow > of his hand." The collation with "road" suggests to me that the reference is to walkers, not sailors; walking with the wind at your back is far more comfortable than facing into it, as a rule, especially in temperate climates. -- John Cowan cowan@ccil.org e'osai ko sarji la lojban