Word of the Week - 10-13-2008

Word of the Week
OCULIST
Pronunciation: \ˈah-kyuh-lihst\
Function: noun
Etymology: French oculiste, from Latin oculus
Date: 1615
1 : ophthalmologist
2 : optometrist


Interesting Fact

Gypsum is a very soft mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate.
Gypsum occurs in nature as flattened and often twinned crystals and transparent cleavable masses called selenite. It may also occur silky and fibrous, in which case it is commonly called satin spar. Finally it may also be granular or quite compact. In hand-sized samples, it can be anywhere from transparent to opaque. A very fine-grained white or lightly-tinted variety of gypsum is called alabaster, which is prized for ornamental work of various sorts. In arid areas, gypsum can occur in a flower-like form typically opaque with embedded sand grains called desert rose. The most visually striking variety, however, is the giant crystals from Naica Mine. Up to the size of 11m long, these megacrystals are among the largest crystals found in nature.
Gypsum is a common mineral, with thick and extensive evaporite beds in association with sedimentary rocks. Gypsum is deposited in lake and sea water, as well as in hot springs, from volcanic vapors, and sulfate solutions in veins.

The word gypsum is derived from the aorist form of the Greek verb μαγειρεύω, "to cook", referring to the burnt or calcined mineral. Because the gypsum from the quarries of the Montmartre district of Paris has long furnished burnt gypsum used for various purposes, this material has been called plaster of Paris. It is also used in foot creams, shampoos and many other hair products. It is water-soluble. It is used in drywall, fertilizer, and as a tofu (soy bean curd) coagulant, making it ultimately a major source of dietary calcium, especially in Asian cultures which traditionally use few dairy products. It is also used as school or blackboard chalk

Because gypsum dissolves over time in water, gypsum is rarely found in the form of sand. However, the unique conditions of the White Sands National Monument in the US state of New Mexico have created a 710 km² (275 square mile) expanse of white gypsum sand, enough to supply the construction industry with drywall for 1,000 years. Commercial exploitation of the area, strongly opposed by area residents, was permanently prevented in 1933 when president Herbert Hoover declared the gypsum dunes a protected national monument.
Commercial quantities of gypsum are found in Jamaica, Iran, Thailand, Spain (the main producer in Europe), Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in Canada, and in New York, Michigan, Indiana, Texas(in the Palo Duro Canyon),Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Nevada in the United States. There is also a large mine located at Plaster City, California in Imperial County, and in East Kutai, Kalimantan.

Trivial Pursuit
Here are this week’s questions:
Global View (Geography):
What mid town Manhattan eatery did Tom Wolfe call “the Versailles of American corporate culture”?

Entertainment:
What band was mistakenly billed as “The V2s” and “VR” in its early days?

News:
What Michigan island’s carriage horses have too many harness sores and are poorly shod, according to the U.S. Humane Society?

Written Word:
What Scott Turow sequel stirs up the personal life of the DA from Presumed Innocent?

Life and Science:
What can concerned parents try to prevent by remembering the offbeat rhyme: “Now you lay me down to sleep, on my back for safest sleep”?

Games and Sports:
Who took exception when Vanity Fair asked if he had “the smallest jockstrap in wrestling”?

Here are last week’s answers:
Global View (Geography):
What astronaut is depicted showing Sammy Davis Jr. a moon rock, at Mammoth Cave Wax Museum? Neil Armstrong

Entertainment:
How old was Bjork when she signed her first record deal – 7, 11, or 15? 11

News:
What 2000 Republican presidental hopeful dove into a mosh pit to gain an ”endorsement” from Michael Moore’s cable TV show? Alan Keyes

Written Word:
What dyspeptic dogs “always bark at night” according to Lewis Grizzard’s book title? Chili Dawg

Life and Science:
What name did the World Meteorological Organization take off a list of hurricane names in 2001, after complaints from Jewish groups? Israel

Games and Sports:
Who was the first pitcher since Mickey Lolich in 1968 to win three games in a World Series? Randy Johnson