More from Chrysti M. Smith
Until the Fat Lady Sings
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
The expression "the opera ain't over until the fat lady sings" gained national attention in 1978.
Leotard
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
Jules Leotard is the eponym of the costume worn by dancers, gymnasts and acrobats.
The Full Monty
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
The Full Monty means "the entire amount, the whole enchilada." Why?
Dressed to the Nines
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
"Dressed to the nines," like so many English idioms, is a mysterious expression.
Amazon
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
Who were the original Amazons, and why do they share a name with the South American river and the bookselling giant amazon.com?
Rule of Thumb
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
The genesis of the phrase "rule of thumb" is uncertain.
Good Samaritan
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
The story behind the coinage of the common expression "good Samaritan."
Best Laid Plans
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From: Chrysti M. Smith
A discussion of the origin of the expression "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."
Related Pieces
Piece Description
This Chrysti the Wordsmith module examines the Greek origins of the word epitaph, and provides some examples of inscriptions "above the tomb." "Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute weekday modules are produced at KGLT Montana State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
2 Comments
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Review of EpitaphI like this series. I'm a lover of words, as I believe the majority of public radio listeners are. Drawing from a wide variety of sources, the producer Chrysti Smith has developed a piece that catches the ear very well - it's smooth, entertaining, and informative. I especially liked the epitaph, "I told you I was sick." This piece would work well around Keillor's "Writer's Almanac" or anyplace in the programming schedule where two minutes of intelligence are needed. Good job. |
Broadcast History
"Chrysti the Wordsmith" two-minute weekday modules are produced at KGLT Montana
State University- Bozeman, and broadcast in Montana and Wyoming on
Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio, and internationally
on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network.
Transcript
Epitaph
An epitaph is a parting comment composed by, or in honor of, the deceased. Carved in the granite of a headstone or painted on a piece of wood, epitaphs may be tender and sentimental, as is Mark Twain’s farewell for his daughter Susy: Warm summer sun, shine kindly here/Green sod above, lie light, lie light/Good night, dear heart, good night, good night.
Others may be witty and terse. Observed on a Cleveland, Ohio grave marker: Once I wasn’t/then I was/now I ain’t again. In a Georgia cemetery: I told you I was sick. An obvious non-believer in a Maryland graveyard left this message: Here lies an Atheist/All dressed up/and no place to go.
Julian Skaggs, who died in West Virginia in 1974, had his cremated remains interred in the family burial plot. His parting message reads: I made an ash of myself. And the good professor John Sumner had this in...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
"Pencils--Family Suite"
Stuart Weber
Hired Man's Dream
Bridger Records
1992
Related Website
Minhal Baig
Posted on July 19, 2007 at 04:15 PM | Permalink
Review of Epitaph
Chrysti has a wonderful series! This is truly a useful radio series for listeners. I enjoyed the etymology of the word "epitaph" as well as the various epitaphs found on gravestones. Concise and engaging, Chrysti has a quirky little series that is actually useful to the listener.