Thanks for the link Ottery. I had read that but I thought that maybe in the 4 years since that discussion, someone might have other insight on the origins of the word in tune titles.
". . . someone might have other insight on the origins of the word in tune titles."
No further insight is needed. The concept has already been firmly nailed to the the wall. The word simply means "mood". When attached to a place it denotes the mood being in/thinking about that place puts you in.
The origin of its being used in tune titles is simply in the fact that when it was first done the usage was common, everyday language. The continuation of such usage is simply because it has become a standard form, like saying "Once upon a time" at the beginning of a story. It's tradition. I do it because the last guy did it, who did it because. . . .well, that's just the way it's done.
And it's the right word for the job, even today. "Atmosphere" in the modern idiom externalizes the mood. It is NYC that has hubbub and the Rockies that are serene.
If you go to the Rockies it is *your* humor that becomes serene and induces you to dedicate a tune to the place that made you feel that way. Humor is internal and personal.
Oh dear, I've suddenly realized I'm going to have to write three "humours" tunes someday. The Humours of the Battenkill, The Humours of Stratton Pond and The Humours of Mt. Pharoh (a dandy place to sit and play airs on the top of a cliff, overlooking the valley of the Schroon).
Oh cripes *among* the tunes I must write. . .
I think I need a Humours of the Horican too (the Native name for Lake George) to commemorate how I feel while I'm standing waist deep in it, fishing for landlocked salmon, as the first blush of dawn starts to add color to the mountain.
And I need to write The Humours of Varadero (calls for a funky salsa rhythm and a slightly wobbly effect caused by having all your drinks "included" in the price of your holiday package.)
Isn't there something a bit Aristotelian about humours? Phlegmatic, sanquine etc? Humours of Whiskey: there's a sanguine subject for you. Or would that be bilious or melancholic - probably both of those in turn if you drank too much of it
"And if you go to the Rockies...." Like Bonaparte did ?
Does anybody know another tune called "B crossing the Rockies" ? My partner insists neither of the ones I've come up with fit her memory of it. !
And since the original humours, - sanguine, melancholic, cholic and phlegmatic described body fluids maybe humerous just means well balanced and juicy..?
Yes. The word has narrowed in meaning over the centuries.
The greek--and medieval Europe after them--believed that personality and health were the result of the balance of "humours" withiong the body--blood, bile, etc. Too much one made you angry, too much of another happy.
Terms like sanguine, choleric, bile, gall ("he's got a lot of gall") as well as expressions like "venting spleen".
We reatina those expressions, but the connection to the discarded medical theories are long gone.
However, the term "humourous" remains--once a general term, it now relates only to one kind of imbalance, the kind which results in laughter.
A humours(ous?) question...
A humours(ous?) question...
A question was asked at a recent session, and although there were a few good guesses (and several really bad ones), nobody really had a clue.
A quick check here hits over 90 times when searching tunes for "The Humours of ..."
What is/are "humours" anyway?
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
try
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/131/comments#comment1804
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by Ottery
Re: humours?
Thanks for the link Ottery. I had read that but I thought that maybe in the 4 years since that discussion, someone might have other insight on the origins of the word in tune titles.
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
As far as I know it's the gereral feeling of a place. Kind of like saying the hubbub or New York or the serenity of the Rockies.
Mary
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by Antikhntr
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
How about "The Atmosphere" - or even better: the Craic!
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by Innocent Bystander
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Oh - Aidan said it was something to do with chick peas and a greek restaurant.
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
". . . someone might have other insight on the origins of the word in tune titles."
No further insight is needed. The concept has already been firmly nailed to the the wall. The word simply means "mood". When attached to a place it denotes the mood being in/thinking about that place puts you in.
The origin of its being used in tune titles is simply in the fact that when it was first done the usage was common, everyday language. The continuation of such usage is simply because it has become a standard form, like saying "Once upon a time" at the beginning of a story. It's tradition. I do it because the last guy did it, who did it because. . . .well, that's just the way it's done.
And it's the right word for the job, even today. "Atmosphere" in the modern idiom externalizes the mood. It is NYC that has hubbub and the Rockies that are serene.
If you go to the Rockies it is *your* humor that becomes serene and induces you to dedicate a tune to the place that made you feel that way. Humor is internal and personal.
Oh dear, I've suddenly realized I'm going to have to write three "humours" tunes someday. The Humours of the Battenkill, The Humours of Stratton Pond and The Humours of Mt. Pharoh (a dandy place to sit and play airs on the top of a cliff, overlooking the valley of the Schroon).
Oh cripes *among* the tunes I must write. . .
I think I need a Humours of the Horican too (the Native name for Lake George) to commemorate how I feel while I'm standing waist deep in it, fishing for landlocked salmon, as the first blush of dawn starts to add color to the mountain.
KFG
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by KFG
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
And I need to write The Humours of Varadero (calls for a funky salsa rhythm and a slightly wobbly effect caused by having all your drinks "included" in the price of your holiday package.)
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Thanks for the info. I guess I need to write one too. The Humous of Enlightenment
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by RogueFiddler
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Isn't there something a bit Aristotelian about humours? Phlegmatic, sanquine etc? Humours of Whiskey: there's a sanguine subject for you. Or would that be bilious or melancholic - probably both of those in turn if you drank too much of it
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by RichardB
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
"And if you go to the Rockies...." Like Bonaparte did ?
Does anybody know another tune called "B crossing the Rockies" ? My partner insists neither of the ones I've come up with fit her memory of it. !
# Posted on February 7th 2005 by Guernsey Pete
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
ZOMG.
I was SERIOUSLY going to post this same exact topic. Anyways, Humours of Tullycrine is bootifull.
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by armandale
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
In his latest album, 'O'Sullivan Meets O'Farrell,' Jerry O'Sullivan writes,"Humours refers to a whim, fancy or caprice."
He also mentions, "In 18th century England, 'Maggot' would translate to 'favorite' or 'whim.' Apparently many tune titles utilize the word 'maggot.'
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by Pete D
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Yes, this meaning of the word represents the halfway point in it's migration from meaning mood in general, and meaning the specific mood of levity.
KFG
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by KFG
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
And since the original humours, - sanguine, melancholic, cholic and phlegmatic described body fluids maybe humerous just means well balanced and juicy..?
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by JNW
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Or gross and slimey.
KFG
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by KFG
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
A decent amount of *uisce beatha* should be in it.
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by slainte
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Guernsey, I've got a version of Bonaparte crossing his eyes if you want that one.
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by c_ya
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
And don't forget that he kept his hand in his jacket so the troops wouldn't see him crossing his fingers before a battle.
KFG
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by KFG
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Let me get this straight. You could have a humorous humour and not be an oxymoron or redundent?
# Posted on February 8th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: A humours(ous?) question...
Yes. The word has narrowed in meaning over the centuries.
The greek--and medieval Europe after them--believed that personality and health were the result of the balance of "humours" withiong the body--blood, bile, etc. Too much one made you angry, too much of another happy.
Terms like sanguine, choleric, bile, gall ("he's got a lot of gall") as well as expressions like "venting spleen".
We reatina those expressions, but the connection to the discarded medical theories are long gone.
However, the term "humourous" remains--once a general term, it now relates only to one kind of imbalance, the kind which results in laughter.
# Posted on February 9th 2005 by s1m0n