Books · Observations · People
A 1913 poem dedicated to V. S. Sreznevskaya about lost youth and passing years
1913: Anna Akhmatova, aged 24, regrets that she can never take back her unkissed lips. How swiftly the years do sail by, to be sure
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Observations · Mores · Society
An Observation from the Field of Historical Orthography
According to the 1958 reference manual of the Academy of Sciences, the correct form is “Muž s ženoj pošli na ogorod” [“Husband and wife went (plural) to the kitchen garden”], since the subjects, husband and wife, are equals. But “mat’ s rebenkom pošla na ogorod” [“Mother and child went (singular)
NB! · Observations · Humour
When you have already visited every abode of fashionable vice that night, but towards morning you still end up at Simach
The East · Observations · Society · People
Jacques Chirac suddenly speaks English in Israel, although he usually used an interpreter
Speaking of the French and the English language, one might recall François Hollande or Jacques Chirac, who took a master's degree in the United States and naturally knew the language perfectly well, though I have heard his pronunciation criticised. In reply I offer this footage, famous in its
NB! · Archive · In the Press · New York · Pop Culture
A Very Peculiar Choice of Photograph for the Cover of the Daily News Announcing the Death of Marilyn Monroe
Monarchies · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
An advert has popped up on Instagram for a maker of costume jewellery who has produced a replica of the crown of the British Empire
An advert has popped up on Instagram for a maker of costume jewellery who has produced a replica of the crown of the British Empire. A highly questionable bit of handiwork, though it would be most interesting to see the customer (actually, no). I shall not give a link to
NB! · Archive · Mores · People
Ella Harper, known as the Camel Girl, a circus and amusement show entrepreneur in the US
But jokes aside, the photograph shows Ella Harper (1870-1921), known from childhood as the Camel Girl, an impresaria of amusement and circus shows in the USA. She drew the public's curiosity by her manner of getting about, on all fours, which was owing to the peculiar structure
NB! · Books · Observations
Seasoned bibliophiles advise what to do if valuable books get wet
Seasoned bibliophiles advise what to do if valuable books get wet. Freeze them at once! And that is no joke
Architecture · Faith · Observations · Heritage
Plastic windows installed in the Church of Cosmas and Damian in Kaluga, built in 1794
Plastic windows have been installed in the church of Cosmas and Damian in Kaluga, built in 1794. A very beautiful church in a very lamentable state now conforms perfectly to the spirit of the age and offers a picturesque example of our attitude to a heritage that has not yet
NB! · Books · Observations
When someone complains that I live in too closed a world of books
The East · Observations · Science · Humour
Reconstructing Sumerian phonetics from Akkadian, with four vowels and no sound O
Ever wondered what the Sumerian language sounded like? There is a simple lesson on Sumerian pronunciation. Nobody now living has heard Sumerian spoken, naturally, with the possible exception of Brendan Fraser, who has been known to go gadding about with mummies through worlds several millennia old. So reconstructions of Sumerian
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