At a nearby table in the pub two women, one early twenties one early thirties, are dining on burgers and chips. Beside the younger woman, in a high chair, is her pretty child of perhaps ten months. The mother, as I took it, turns to her friend and says “Look at this.” She holds up a chip near her baby girl’s mouth then withdraws it. She pushes it forward again then withdraws it. The child bursts into tears. The mother smiles and continues with her meal. Some minutes later she gives the girl a chip.
Educational. From the Latin educare, to bring up or rear and the Latin educere, to lead out. The latter is a compound of ex, out and ducere, to lead.
05.02.2009