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Wax ???

Wax ???

(OP)
If liberal arts people "wax poetic",

do engineers  "wax numerical"?

And what does the word wax mean here in this context.  I don't seem to find anything in my dead tree dictionary.

RE: Wax ???

To wax means to increase in some manner.  Still used in astronomy to describe moon/planet phases ("moon is waxing" = becoming more full).  Opposite of waxing is waning.

RE: Wax ???

In that context, wax means to assume that state, or to reach fulfillment in that quality.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: Wax ???

Interesting. I have never heard wax in that way.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: Wax ???

American Heritage dictionary sez "to grow or become ___ "

and sure, I see no reason why we can't wax numerical.  That's really funny.  I'd use it in the context of a meeting with both technical and non-technical people, where the engineer starts to get a bit more numerical than the others were expecting.

In fact I think I'll try to remember to use this.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: Wax ???

"wax lyrical" is an often used term too to describe a rather animated speech or explanation.

RE: Wax ???

This is common, refering to someone getting beat badly.

"He really waxed his @$$"

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

RE: Wax ???

Wax in this context doesn't exactly mean 'increase' as in the expression 'wax and wane'. A description appears in the following link:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/5/messages/783.html
I don't know how reliable this source is but it makes sense. I thought 'wax' had a connotation of 'speak enthusiastically' about something.

RE: Wax ???

nozzletwister:

Or is it "whacked"?

RE: Wax ???

"Wax" in this intransitive verb sense simply means "become", in characteristic.

Wax poetic = become poetic.
Wax nostalgic = become nostalgic.
Wax indignant = become indignant.

"Wax numerical" doesn't really make any sense in reference to a person.

Don
Kansas City

RE: Wax ???

"What do you do for a living?"
"Wax cars."
"You don't look like one."
"Huh?"

RE: Wax ???

eromlignod --

You can become numerical in your speech style.  If I can say, "Dude, don't get all numerical on me" (which I can), I can also say "wax numerical".

Hey--"wax" and "get" (or more specifically "get all") are fancy and informal versions of the same thing in this particular context.  I never thought of that before.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376

RE: Wax ???

Maybe engineers can 'wax technical'.

Wax uncharismatic?

Wax obfuscatic?

LewTam Inc.
Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.

RE: Wax ???

wax ears

RE: Wax ???

Wax obfuscatic!
That's beautiful. I mentioned that to my wife (a Commincations major) and she thinks it describes me to a T because I often spin off into tangents when describing something techgnical and she loses track of what I started talking about.

I would love to use two words in a sentence like that which 99% of the listeners will be clueless of. I have to endeavor to work that into a conversation someday just so I can see the looks on people's faces.

RE: Wax ???

How about...

Wax pleonastic

M

--
Dr Michael F Platten

RE: Wax ???



Shouldn't that be Wax pleonastic superfluously .....?

RE: Wax ???

So where does "Bikini Wax" fit into all this????

Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

RE: Wax ???

jraef,

   Eschew obfuscation.

   I cannot take credit for that one.  It was part of a collection of writing tips that included things like "Mixed metaphors are a pain in the neck and ought to be weeded out."  

                    JHG

RE: Wax ???

On the other hand...?

Waning is used in cartoon land.

"Waning Tewebwee" - meaning: quite the downpour.

What the heck does "On the Other Hand" mean?

RE: Wax ???

"on the other hand" mean not on the other foot.

RE: Wax ???

Wabbit twubbaw. It's been eatin mah cawotts.
Send for an ACME Wabbit Twap.

Bill

RE: Wax ???

I always liked the sound of "waxing gibbous".

RE: Wax ???

(OP)
Artist/Band: Travis Randy
Lyrics for Song: On The Other Hand
Lyrics for Album: Storms Of Life

On one hand I count the reasons I could stay with you
And hold you close to me, all night long.
So many lover's games I could play with you
And on that hand I see no reason why it's wrong

But on the other hand, There's a golden band
To remind of someone who would not understand
On one hand I could stay and be your loving man
But the reason I must go is on the other hand

In your arms I feel the passion, I thought had died
When I looked into your eyes I found myself
When I first kissed your lips I felt so alive
I've got to hand it to you girl, you're something else

But on the other hand, There's a golden band
To remind of someone who would not understand
On one hand I could stay and be your loving man
But the reason I must go is on the other hand

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