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I love that phrase. I ran across it the other night while re-reading Melville's "Billy Budd." It refers to BB lacking the 'sinister dexterity' for satire. At last my knowledge of Latin pays off!
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Re: "Sinister dexterity"
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 6:36 AMI find it somewhat disturbing, being a left-handed person. -
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Re: "Sinister dexterity"
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 7:38 AMIf I remember correctly, "sinistra" is Italian for left handed and sinister since left handed people were considered morally suspect and touched by the devil. The weird religious prejudice (and xenophobia) manifested in left handed children being forced to learn to write with their right hand in many cultures (including English ones). Heather, apparently you're doomed! ;-)
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Re: "Sinister dexterity"
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 6:50 AMAs opposed to an adroit leftist.
Although 'sinister dexterity' brings to my mind a skillful assassin, an adept embalmer, or a criminally-minded surgeon, rather than a particular talent for wit, I can see how it would be rather appropriate. -
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Re: "Sinister dexterity"
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 8:05 AMThe point of the phrase, however, is not to condemn left-handedness. It's another way of saying 'talking out of both sides of one's mouth'. "Dexter" means of the right hand as "sinister" means of the left. It's a great phrase and I wish I'd thought of it. Since I didn't, I can only take delight in it, which is no poor thing.
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Re: "Sinister dexterity"
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 12:23 PMI'd rather agree there - I like the phrase as well.... But the assassin bit to me is one who can appear rather skillfully with 2 "faces" ( sinister bit ) and the ability to talk out of or into any situation with great ease and comfort ( dexterity )
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