While browsing through dictionary.com, you might discover (and it ought not to come as much of a surprise) that the word “mister” is related to the word “master.” That they sound alike is a bit misleading I think. I believe they’re connected, but the path is a bit more circuitous (though not exactly serpentine.) Let’s begin.
Hierarchical feudalistic Europe; a bunch of people work for a higher-up (the master) who ostensibly, in turn, protects them. In a generic sense, the word “lord” means master. Think “lord of the castle.” In French, “lord” is “seigneur.” So, “my lord,” becomes “mon seigneur.” Say that a few times fast and we have efficient Frenchmen coming up with “monsieur.” The English overhearing “monsieur” came up with their version, “mister.”
That’s how I believe it happened. “Mister” began appearing in the 1500s, and as soon as I get around to it, or get my butt in gear (see below), I’m going to find references proving that “monsieur” is much, much older. That wont prove the connection, but might bolster my claim somewhat.
Motivational Tools:
So I was flipping through the channels and I came to an infomercial featuring Kevin Trudeau’s book Natural Cures.
During the informercial, Kevin-the-quack-and-conman tries to pursuade viewers of a variety of absurd claims such as:
- The Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the pharmaceutical cartels are suppressing information about natural remedies and natural cures for virtually every disease
- Food producers are using illegal mystery food additives to make people fat
- That the primary indicator of your health is the pH of your urine (“If your body pH is alkaline, you can not get cancer,” he says.)
In a sentence, Kevin makes me sick. His southern preacher style and relaxed smile preys on millions of uneducated people who would benefit from traditional medication and health care. He is a charlatan. Apparently the FTC agrees with me:
FTC report
Quack Watch link 1
Quack Watch link 2
Quack Watch link 3
Case Watch
Further reading:
Infomercial Watch
Here’s a quick guide on how to spot a quack
Ok, maybe this blog entry is just a ploy to convince the likes of Grady Kelly, multimedia graphic artist/programmer extraordinaire to help a brotha’ out with my sorry excuse for a website.
Mr. Kelly is the senior web designer at RemedyMD (where I am also employed) as well as the president of IntermixCreative, a local Internet application design/implementation firm:
So, what do you say Mr. Kelly? Will you pimp out my web site?
