Starship Asterisk*

owlice wrote:
Chris, maybe it's a difference between editions. I thought you were quoting my quote from the OED, which implies (pretty strongly) that venereal relates to the goddess, and says outright that venusian refers to the planet.

http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=6615&st=15 wrote:
<<The -al derivations (on the Latin Genitive) correspond to attributes associated with the astrological influence of the planet. Hence we have mercurial, venereal, martial, and jovial, (but saturnine, not saturnal) and we don't have uranal, neptunal, or cereal. (Not with those meanings, anyway.)

The -an derivations (also from the Latin Genitive) refer to properties of the planet itself, as I said earlier. To argue otherwise, you have to claim that ALL of the adjectives for the planets are "preoccupied" somehow, and this is clearly absurd.>> --Greg

owlice wrote:

Chris Peterson wrote:According to the OED it does ("of or relating to the planet Venus"). It indicates the usage is obsolete, but that doesn't make it wrong. Nevertheless, for the reasons I gave earlier, I wouldn't use it in discussing Venus outside of some literary context ("the twilight had an air surreal/colored by the light venereal").

No it doesn't! "Venus or her service" -- you really think that refers to the planet?? :shock:

Where's the falling over smilie? That's the one I need here!

(Chris, you are kidding, yes? Pulling my leg?)

Chris Peterson wrote:

owlice wrote:Chris, I didn't even catch the error! Yes, it was obvious you meant venereal. Still, the point remains: venereal does not refer to "of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the planet Venus," either.

According to the OED it does ("of or relating to the planet Venus"). It indicates the usage is obsolete, but that doesn't make it wrong. Nevertheless, for the reasons I gave earlier, I wouldn't use it in discussing Venus outside of some literary context ("the twilight had an air surreal/colored by the light venereal").

owlice wrote:Chris, I didn't even catch the error! Yes, it was obvious you meant venereal. Still, the point remains: venereal does not refer to "of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the planet Venus," either.

owlice wrote:Looks like Depression glass under that ice cream.

owlice wrote:Looks like Depression glass under that ice cream.

Famous Anneapolitan composter: Arcangelo Spumoni

owlice wrote:
English: It's messy, but it works.

• 1) Annapolonians?
  2) Anneapolitans?
  3) Annapolitans

neufer wrote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytherean wrote: Based on Latin principles, the correct adjectival form of the name would be Venerean.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytherean wrote:
<<Cytherean is an adjective meaning pertaining to Cythera (Greek Κύθηρα, also transliterated Kythera or Kithira) , a small island now part of Greece, southeast of the Peloponnesus. It is also an adjective meaning pertaining to the planet Venus.

When planetary scientists began to have a need to discuss Venus in detail, an adjective was needed. Based on Latin principles, the correct adjectival form of the name would be Venerean. However, this term has an unfortunate similarity to the word venereal as in venereal diseases (related to "Venerean" as martial is to "Martian"), and is not generally used by astronomers. The term Venusian is etymologically messy (similar to saying "Earthian" or "Jupiterian"), and a "cleaner" version was desired.

It was suggested that since Venus had a Greek name, as well as a Roman one, this should be used; however, the adjectival form of Aphrodite was "aphrodisial", which again was felt to be unfortunately close to "aphrodisiac", again evoking matters not directly pertaining to astronomy.

A compromise was reached. In Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite was said to have been born from the sea, from which she emerged on a sea shell at the island of Cythera, and as such was sometimes known as Cytherea. The adjective Cytherean was taken from this name and remained popular in scientific literature for some time.

The term has since fallen out of common use. Venusian is the form most frequently used, with others, including Venerean appearing from time to time; the term Cytherean is now mostly found in older scientific papers, but some scientists still stick to the "tasteful" naming. In addition, the word "Cytherean" as an adjective referring to Venus is often found in science fiction of the early and mid 20th century.>>

owlice wrote:There is no meaning of "venerean" which means "of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the planet Venus."

owlice wrote:Actually, "venereal" is incorrect, though had/had been championed by a few writers, notably Heinlein. The OED lists the adjective venusian as meaning "Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the planet Venus or its supposed inhabitants," and cites usage as early as 1874. (Another definition provided is "Of or pertaining to Venusia, an ancient town in southern Italy, and birthplace of the poet Horace; hence used allusively.") Venerean, with cited usage as early as 1575, is listed as obsolete; the OED has its meaning as "1. Connected or associated with, relating or pertaining to, Venus or her service." Venerian, meaning "1.a. Influenced by, subject to, Venus; inclined to wantonness.," is also listed as obsolete.

JEpley wrote:"Venusian" is not a word. The correct term is "venereal".

JEpley wrote:"Venusian" is not a word. The correct term is "venereal".

owlice wrote:

Guest wrote:

geomousey wrote:http://www.atoptics.co.uk/fz505.htm
provides a good explanation

great find! :D

Well, sure; that's why it's one of the links in the APOD text....

Guest wrote:

geomousey wrote:http://www.atoptics.co.uk/fz505.htm
provides a good explanation

great find!