Interesting Trivia from the Library

The suffixes, “mit,” and “mis,” come from the Latin meaning “to send.” Modern day usages of these suffixes are dismiss, admissible, commit, emissary, omit, or permit. Sometimes knowing a part of a word is helpful when learning new vocabulary.

Word for the Day: malerific-(adj) means evil.

An Interesting Bit of Historical Trivia:

Early in the birth of our nation, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends and shared a great deal of philosophical letter writing and collaborated in the writing of the Declaration of Independence, though Jefferson, ultimately penned the document.

Adam’s election as POTUS, however, split the friends almost irreparably. Jefferson had paired up with James Madison in an effort to undermine Adam’s efforts at passing legislation and governing as he believed was outlined in the spirit of the Revolution. In the process of all his subterfuge, Jefferson somehow got a few items published that hinted at Adams being a bit of a fuitcake. Eventually, the two former friends ran against each other in the third presidential election, and with Madison’s assistance with the “Adams as a fruitcake” campaign, Jefferson won. (Possibly the birth of political mudslinging?) The election marked a period of total silence in their friendship.

Beyond this slight on his person that Adams felt Jefferson had done (besides being totally unsupportive of a friend during his presidency), Adams was beginning to resent the popularity that Jefferson and Washington enjoyed as a result of their involvement with the development of the nation. Adams was jealous because Jefferson had merely penned a document that reflected Adams’ philosophy and goals. Adams felt like a bit of a limp dishrag being neither the author of brilliant prose nor the warrior for a nation. At some point during this period, Abagail Adams, John’s wife, began corresponding with Jefferson despite the animosity between her husband and Thomas Jefferson. Abagail’s writing, while being a friendly pastime, was also an attempt to bring two old friends to reconciliation. This pursuit ultimately won over the two men, and Jefferson and Adams, late in the lives, picked up their pens and once again enjoyed lively banter and debate through correspondence.

Adams, on his death bed, said, “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” Adams had no way of knowing that Jefferson had died at 9:50 AM on the same day Adams would later succumb to death—July 4, 1826.

These and other interesting things you can find in your campus library.

Have a great day!