Wordie: Pelf: Comments

Comment by yarb, 13 days ago

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:34:22 +0000

I was dazzled by the gold and jewels which he laid out in burning row before me, and became a living monument in my own person, that miraculous transformations are effected by the power of pelf, as well as by the wand of love.

- Lesage, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, tr. Smollett, bk 7 ch. 7

Comment by Minerva, 9 months ago

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:55:03 +0000

For though your honour is kind to me in worldly pelf, yet what shall a man get to lose his soul, as holy scripture says, and please your honour?

Joseph Leman to Lovelace, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson

Comment by yarb, 9 months ago

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:22:07 +0000

Curiouser, "matted pelf" is (or was, until now) a googlewhack. I now feel drawn by kismet towards the poet Gongora.

Comment by yarb, 9 months ago

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:14:44 +0000

I suppose so. But my mistaken definition of pelf was concurrent with a correct understanding of pelt. For some reason the phrase "matted pelf" sticks in my mind.

Comment by sarra, 9 months ago

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:02:42 +0000

That would be because of pelt.

Comment by yarb, 9 months ago

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:24:13 +0000

For some reason I always thought this word meant animal hide or fur.

Comment by chained_bear, 9 months ago

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:13:51 +0000

"A miser's mind thou hast
Thou has a prince's pelf
Which makes thee wealthy to thine heir--
A beggar to thyself."
--I forget, but I want to say "Shakespeare"

Comment by Grammar, 9 months ago

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:10:50 +0000

The ultimate question in the derivative suit, is whether a sentient and alert corporate Board of Directors...would conclude he is entitled to depart from its employ while claiming pelf approaching $800,000,000.