Words
are wonderful, aren’t they? I do so enjoy a casual browse through the
dictionary: it’s a relaxing pastime as well as being educational. It was on one
such meander that I came across xenodochial, meaning friendly to strangers.
Sometimes
words can be deliberately misused. Erik the Red was an ancient Icelandic
warrior who called the arctic land to which he was exiled ‘Greenland’. It was
an early instance of false advertising. It is said that his intention in so
naming it was to encourage other settlers to come.
Another
example is the naming of the long bay in south east Devon ‘Slapton Sands’: the
beach is formed entirely of pebbles and is impossible to walk on
in bare feet. Nevertheless it is very beautiful.
I am
going to Slapton on Monday for two weeks holiday. I do hope the locals will be
xenodochial.
It’s always exciting to
have a shout-out from an editor. My article in The People’s Friend on 6th
June has been singled out for such an honour.
It is
a nostalgia piece about newsreel cinemas. In my childhood, a visit to the pictures
on a Saturday morning was essential. Before the main film came the British
Pathe News. At the time I no doubt declared such an interruption to my viewing
pleasure boring, but now I am surprised at how much the newsreels remain in my
memory.
In
fact British Pathe News and Gaumont News has become part of our collective
memory. Any documentary of historical events will feature such extracts. In Newcastle
upon Tyne we are fortunate to have the Tyneside Cinema which features a free
daily screening of archived film. If you’re in the area, do make time for a
visit. It is a fascinating piece of history.
Do you
remember watching newsreel screenings at your local cinema?
