A subsistence pattern distinguished by intensive gardening. Essentially small-scale farming, growing all manner of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other plant products.
In societies that subsist on horticulture, there is a strong association with matrilineal families; daughters inherit the land from their mothers. The men clear a patch of forest for a garden and the women take over. This is usually accomplished by slash-and-burn.
The most important relationship in a horticultural society is usually the bond between brother and sister (as opposed to between father and son in many farming societies); a woman marries and her husband is recognized as the father of her children, husband and wife generally live separately and the main father figure for her children is their maternal uncle.
In societies that subsist on horticulture, there is a strong association with matrilineal families; daughters inherit the land from their mothers. The men clear a patch of forest for a garden and the women take over. This is usually accomplished by slash-and-burn.
The most important relationship in a horticultural society is usually the bond between brother and sister (as opposed to between father and son in many farming societies); a woman marries and her husband is recognized as the father of her children, husband and wife generally live separately and the main father figure for her children is their maternal uncle.
Among the societies that practice horticulture are the Maroons of Suriname, the Mosuo and Naxi of China, and numerous indigenous peoples in Indonesia and the Americas, like the Iroquois, Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Zapotec. All of these nations are traditionally matrilineal.
by Lorelili May 26, 2012
A small stick.
By extension of this, someone who is bone-thin, usually unattractively so, whether they are naturally that thin or not.
Usually accompanied by chicken legs and a lack of booty in both sexes, a lack of muscle tone in males, and a lack of breasts and hips and curves in females.
Also see Twiggy, legendary 1960s supermodel who idealized this androgynous, starving waif look.
By extension of this, someone who is bone-thin, usually unattractively so, whether they are naturally that thin or not.
Usually accompanied by chicken legs and a lack of booty in both sexes, a lack of muscle tone in males, and a lack of breasts and hips and curves in females.
Also see Twiggy, legendary 1960s supermodel who idealized this androgynous, starving waif look.
"I'm not a twig and I refuse to be."
-Kate Winslet
This little twig is my granddaughter? Aren't you feeding her?! She looks like a swizzle stick!
-Kate Winslet
This little twig is my granddaughter? Aren't you feeding her?! She looks like a swizzle stick!
by Lorelili November 17, 2009
Also known as a prima donna ("first lady"), and especially in an opera. Refers to the leading lady of the production. The male counterpart is the divo. Plural, including male and female singers, is "divi" (DEE-vee), or, if just female singers, "dive" (DEE-vay).
Also refers to a bratty, demanding, self-centered person, regardless of whether they're a performer or not.
Also refers to a bratty, demanding, self-centered person, regardless of whether they're a performer or not.
Here comes our diva, the spinto soprano Catarina Cassotto... and our divo, the lyric tenor Roberto Daza
Britney Spears- there's a diva. What a bitch!
Britney Spears- there's a diva. What a bitch!
by Lorelili July 02, 2005
(November 27, 1843-September 30, 1888) The third recognized victim of Jack the Ripper. Known as "Long Liz" by friends later in life, for her last name and lanky physique.
Born Elisabeth Gustafsdottir to a peasant family west of Gothenburg, Sweden. Unlike the other victims, Liz turned to prostitution early in life and at five-foot-five, with her dark brown hair, grey eyes, and angular features, she was a striking woman. She was known among Gothenburg police and gave birth to a stillborn daughter in April, 1865. In 1866, she moved to London as a domestic servant and in 1869 she married John Thomas Stride, a carpenter 13 years older than her. Their marriage was stormy and they separated at least twice, for the last time in 1881.
After leaving Stride, Liz lived in a dosshouse and lived off of charity handouts in addition to sewing, housekeeping, and occasional prostitution. From 1885 until her death, she had an on-and-off relationship with a dockworker, Michael Kidney. While described as "calm" and "sober", Liz was arrested several times for drunk and disorderly conduct and she and Michael were often at each other's throats.
Born Elisabeth Gustafsdottir to a peasant family west of Gothenburg, Sweden. Unlike the other victims, Liz turned to prostitution early in life and at five-foot-five, with her dark brown hair, grey eyes, and angular features, she was a striking woman. She was known among Gothenburg police and gave birth to a stillborn daughter in April, 1865. In 1866, she moved to London as a domestic servant and in 1869 she married John Thomas Stride, a carpenter 13 years older than her. Their marriage was stormy and they separated at least twice, for the last time in 1881.
After leaving Stride, Liz lived in a dosshouse and lived off of charity handouts in addition to sewing, housekeeping, and occasional prostitution. From 1885 until her death, she had an on-and-off relationship with a dockworker, Michael Kidney. While described as "calm" and "sober", Liz was arrested several times for drunk and disorderly conduct and she and Michael were often at each other's throats.
Elizabeth Stride often told acquaintances that she'd lost her husband and two of her nine children in the sinking of the "Princess Alice" in 1878 and another survivor had kicked her in the mouth as they swam to safety, causing her to stammer. While Liz was missing the teeth in her lower left jaw, Thomas Stride actually had died of tuberculosis in 1884 and they had no children. This story was most likely to elicit sympathy and financial aid from others.
At 12:35 AM, Liz was seen speaking with a man in Dutfield's Yard, next to the International Working Men's Educational Club on Berner Street. At about 1 AM, Louis Diemshutz, the steward of the club, pulled into Dutfield's Yard with his pony and cart when the pony was startled by something in the darkness and refused to go farther.
Diemshutz dismounted the cart, knelt in front of his horse, and struck a match; he saw Liz Stride lying in the dirt with her throat cut and bleeding.
Beyond the throat wound, Liz had not been injured and her clothing was undisturbed, unlike Polly Nichols and Annie Chapman. Perhaps she was not a Ripper victim, perhaps the Ripper meant to go farther when the arrival of Diemschutz interrupted him. Having botched this killing, Jack had to flee. Leaving the East End and crossing into the City of London, he happened upon Mitre Square... and another victim, Catherine Eddowes.
At 12:35 AM, Liz was seen speaking with a man in Dutfield's Yard, next to the International Working Men's Educational Club on Berner Street. At about 1 AM, Louis Diemshutz, the steward of the club, pulled into Dutfield's Yard with his pony and cart when the pony was startled by something in the darkness and refused to go farther.
Diemshutz dismounted the cart, knelt in front of his horse, and struck a match; he saw Liz Stride lying in the dirt with her throat cut and bleeding.
Beyond the throat wound, Liz had not been injured and her clothing was undisturbed, unlike Polly Nichols and Annie Chapman. Perhaps she was not a Ripper victim, perhaps the Ripper meant to go farther when the arrival of Diemschutz interrupted him. Having botched this killing, Jack had to flee. Leaving the East End and crossing into the City of London, he happened upon Mitre Square... and another victim, Catherine Eddowes.
by Lorelili October 08, 2012
The Gaelic word for "man", that is, an adult male. Pronounced "fair", with a light trill to the 'r'.
Has no likely connection to the English word meaning fright/apprehension.
Has no likely connection to the English word meaning fright/apprehension.
by Lorelili March 20, 2006
A sexually promiscuous woman. May or may not be paid for sex, depending on whether is a prostitute or a slut.
Paris Hilton, the Grand High Slattern, paraded on the red carpet in her usual belt/miniskirt sans underwear and her almost nonexistant top.
by Lorelili May 04, 2007
A character in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Cosette is the illigitimate daughter of Fantine, who had to leave her in the care of the Thénardier family while she worked to support Cosette. Unknown to the illiterate Fantine, the sociopathically cruel Thénardier family abuse the little girl and make false claims about her health so that Fantine will send more money to them. The money is then used for their own expenses and to spoil their own daughters, Eponine and Azelma, while Cosette is treated as a virtual slave... until Fantine's death, when her former boss, Jean Valjean, comes to rescue Cosette, bribing the ruthless Thénardiers to let her go. From there, Jean Valjean and Cosette escape to Paris.
Nine years later, at age seventeen, Cosette is a beautiful, well-bred young woman and doted on by Papa Valjean. Trouble begins when she runs into Marius Pontmercy, a young nobleman and student, and they fall in love. Valjean, worried about his discovery by Javert and about his adoptive daughter's safety, tries to thwart the budding love affair until he realizes that she's no longer a little girl and he has to let her go; out of love for her, he saves a wounded Marius from the barricade. She and Marius eventually marry before Valjean dies, leaving his life story to her.
Nine years later, at age seventeen, Cosette is a beautiful, well-bred young woman and doted on by Papa Valjean. Trouble begins when she runs into Marius Pontmercy, a young nobleman and student, and they fall in love. Valjean, worried about his discovery by Javert and about his adoptive daughter's safety, tries to thwart the budding love affair until he realizes that she's no longer a little girl and he has to let her go; out of love for her, he saves a wounded Marius from the barricade. She and Marius eventually marry before Valjean dies, leaving his life story to her.
Cosette's character is much stronger in the book and the depth of her romance with Marius a major emotional focus while Eponine is a peripheral character, although no less sad and pitiful.
Cosette is the peripheral character in the musical, almost one-dimensional while Eponine's presence is much stronger and shares the pathos with Fantine.
Cosette is the peripheral character in the musical, almost one-dimensional while Eponine's presence is much stronger and shares the pathos with Fantine.
by Lorelili July 28, 2011