A little digging will unearth the roots of our language and habits. For instance, our word “sandwich” is derived from the Earl of Sandwich, who lived in the time of George III. This gentleman would not depart from the gambling table for hours on end. If his play happened to coincide with dinner, he would cancel his regular meal and order a slice of meat to be served to him between two pieces of bread. The biography* of the Earl claims that we are his debtors for his discovery of the sandwich. Charles Dickens later used the phrase “sandwich man” to describe someone who walks about with a clearly legible message on his chest and back placards.
An example of a superstition is the fear of walking under a ladder. This must have been a contagious fear, for it seems to have started with the ancient belief that spirits lived in trees or wood. “Knocking on wood” was a way of calling up the friendly spirit to protect one from harm. Today, a clergy member might sneer* at this custom, expecting that such superstitions would have receded* into the past with witches and ghosts by this time.
Another expression, “giving someone the cold shoulder,” has been traced to the Middle Ages, when a host would serve his guests a cold shoulder of mutton or beef instead of the customary hot food. This was a transparent attempt to show the guest he was no longer welcome. The host had thus found a more charitable* yet effective way of expressing his feelings without using a scalding remark.
- Unearth
- Depart
- Coincide
- Cancel
- Debtor
- Legible
- Placard
- Contagious
- Clergy
- Customary
- Transparent
- Scald.
- Roast
- Beef
- Rye.
***
- Unearth: Unearth means to discover or uncover something that was previously hidden or buried. It involves bringing to light or exposing something that was unknown or forgotten.
- Depart: Depart means to leave or go away from a place. It refers to the act of starting a journey or moving away from a location.
- Coincide: Coincide means to occur at the same time or in the same place. It involves two or more events, circumstances, or situations happening simultaneously or in close proximity.
- Cancel: Cancel means to annul, revoke, or terminate something that was previously planned, scheduled, or arranged. It involves calling off or discontinuing an event, appointment, or agreement.
- Debtor: A debtor is a person or entity that owes money or is obligated to pay a debt to another person or entity. It refers to someone who is in a state of financial obligation.
- Legible: Legible describes something that is clear and easy to read or decipher. It refers to the readability or comprehensibility of written or printed text.
- Placard: A placard is a sign or poster that is displayed in a public place to convey information, advertise something, or provide instructions. It is typically used for public communication or advertisement purposes.
- Contagious: Contagious describes a disease or condition that can be transmitted or spread from one person, animal, or object to another. It refers to the ability of an illness to be contagious or infectious.
- Clergy: Clergy refers to the group of ordained religious leaders or officials, such as priests, ministers, or rabbis. They are responsible for leading religious services, providing spiritual guidance, and performing religious rituals.
- Customary: Customary refers to something that is done or practiced according to tradition, habit, or established norms. It indicates a behavior or practice that is considered typical or usual within a particular culture or society.
- Transparent: Transparent describes something that allows light to pass through and can be seen through clearly. It refers to the quality of being see-through or easily understandable.
- Scald: Scald refers to the act of burning or injuring the skin with hot liquid or steam. It involves the exposure to extremely hot temperatures that cause pain, redness, or blistering.
- Roast: Roast can refer to a method of cooking food, particularly meat, by exposing it to dry heat in an oven or over an open fire. It can also refer to a humorous or playful form of criticism or ridicule directed towards someone.
- Beef: Beef is a type of meat that comes from cattle. It is a common source of protein in many cuisines and is known for its rich flavor and texture.
- Rye: Rye is a type of grain that is commonly used for making bread, whiskey, and other food products. It has a distinct flavor and is often used in baking and distilling processes.
***
- Unearth: Menggali, menemukan, mengekskavasi
- Depart: Berangkat, pergi, meninggalkan
- Coincide: Sama, bertepatan, sejalan
- Cancel: Membatalkan, membatalkan, membatalkan
- Debtor: Debitur, orang yang berhutang, peminjam
- Legible: Mudah dibaca, jelas, terbaca
- Placard: Spanduk, papan pengumuman, plakat
- Contagious: Menular, menyebar, menyebar
- Clergy: Klerus, rohaniawan, pendeta
- Customary: Biasa, umum, kebiasaan
- Transparent: Transparan, tembus pandang, jernih
- Scald: Terbakar air panas, terbakar, luka bakar.
- Roast: Panggang, memanggang, membakar
- Beef: Daging sapi, sapi
- Rye: Gandum hitam, gandum sejenis, jenis gandum.
***
Shadows of Destiny
Once upon a time in a quaint village named Everwood, where the whispers of ancient secrets lingered in the air, a series of mysterious events began to unfold. The village was known for its peaceful demeanor until a fateful day when a local farmer, Angus, decided to unearth a forgotten relic while plowing his fields.
As Angus delved into the soil, an ancient chest, marked with a placard that seemed to glow with an ethereal light, was uncovered. Little did the villagers know that this discovery would set in motion a chain of events that would forever alter the course of their lives.
News of the finding coincided with the arrival of a charismatic stranger, a wanderer by the name of Elara. Her arrival brought both curiosity and unease among the villagers. Elara, with her mesmerizing eyes, claimed to possess the ability to unveil the secrets of the past. The timing seemed oddly perfect, as the village was about to celebrate its customary annual festival.
As preparations for the festival were underway, a contagious excitement spread through the village. However, the air of anticipation turned to despair when a calamity struck. The village granary, stocked with the finest rye and succulent beef for the feast, caught fire during a freak accident while preparing a grand roast. The flames scalded the hopes of the villagers for a joyous celebration.
In the midst of chaos, Elara stepped forward, claiming to have foreseen this misfortune. She suggested that the ancient chest held the key to reversing the tragedy. Intrigued and desperate, the villagers gathered as Elara recited an incantation, invoking the guidance of the village’s long-forgotten protectors, the mystical clergy.
As the incantation echoed through the village, the flames flickered, and time seemed to stand still. The ancient chest revealed a forgotten pact, declaring that the village’s prosperity was tied to the respect and balance they maintained with nature.
In an unexpected turn, the flames subsided, and the granary was miraculously restored. The village learned a valuable lesson about the consequences of neglecting their traditions and the debt they owed to the land that sustained them.
And so, the festival continued with a newfound reverence for the ancient ways, marking a departure from the ordinary and a journey into the extraordinary. The shadows of destiny had been unveiled, leaving Everwood forever changed.
***
The Sandwich Conspiracy
The aroma of roasting beef filled the air, mingled with the acrid tang of burning paper. Father Michael, renowned for his impeccable sermons and transparent demeanor, stood amidst the smoldering remains of a placard that once declared his upcoming charity event. A hidden message, scrawled in barely legible script, sent a shiver down his spine: “Depart with the debtor or the feast burns.”
A cold dread settled in his gut. The message referred to Thomas, a struggling farmer drowning in debt. Customary Christian duty compelled him to help, but Michael had a sinking suspicion this was more than a simple plea for aid. The timing was too coincidental – the event aimed to collect funds for the very same farmer.
Panic threatened to scald his resolve, but Michael steeled himself. He couldn’t abandon Thomas, and the note hinted at a deeper contagious plot. Leaving a cryptic message for his assistant, he slipped away, a placard tucked beneath his cloak, its blank surface concealing a hidden blade.
He found Thomas huddled in a ramshackle barn, desperation etched on his face. As Michael revealed the message, a cloaked figure emerged from the shadows. It was Ezra, a rival clergyman harboring a grudge against Michael and the church. He’d manipulated Thomas’ debt, orchestrated the “charity” event, and planned to frame Michael for its cancellation.
A tense standoff ensued. Ezra held a torch, threatening to set the barn alight. Michael, armed with his hidden blade and righteous fury, saw no other option. He lunged, a desperate gamble in the flickering light. The clash was swift and brutal, the blade gleaming like a beacon in the smoke.
In the end, Ezra lay defeated, his true colors unearthed. Michael, wounded but resolute, secured the barn and helped Thomas escape. The event was cancelled, but whispers of the priest’s bravery and the foiled plot spread like wildfire.
Returning to the church, Michael addressed the congregation, his voice hoarse but clear. He spoke of manipulation, hidden agendas, and the debt, not of money, but of truth and justice. His words, transparent and powerful, resonated with a newfound force.
As the congregation dispersed, a young boy approached Michael, eyes wide with admiration. “You’re like a knight in a sandwich, Father,” he declared, offering a simple roast beef on rye. Michael chuckled, the gesture warming him more than any meal could. It was a reminder that even amidst darkness, authenticity and courage could prevail, leaving a taste of hope long after the fire had died down.
