Talking Numbers
Talking Numbers : Numbers have always fascinated mankind. The ancients attached mystical significance to numbers and believed they held all the mysterious to the origins and systematic functioning of the universe.
Indeed, numbers can talk if only we know how to decipher their secret meanings. The word number itself has many meanings, besides the regular mathematical definition, one of these being: a song, dance or other musical item, according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary. In this chapter, we will let numbers do the talking in unlocking the meaning of hitherto esoteric or meaningless words. The words on these pages are either directly derived from numbers or have numbers embedded in their etymology (roots) or meanings. You are welcome to share your talking numbers with the rest of the world by submitting them to us. We will add those words in these lists. Baker's dozen : Phrase A group of thirteen In the days of yore, a baker's dozen consisted of 13, instead of 12. Bakers adopted the custom of adding an extra loaf to a dozen sold to the retailer, as the thirteenth was the latter's profit! Bakers were also said to follow this practice to ensure the proper weight and avoid any penalty for short measure. Biannual : adjective Occurring twice a year : semi-annual Biennial : adjective Taking place every two years : lasting for two years Bicameral : adjective With two chambers (as in a legislative body) Bicentenary : noun The two-hundredth anniversary of a significant event Bifurcate : verb To divide into two branches or forks Bigamy : noun The offence of marrying someone while already being married to another person Monogamy, on the other hand, is the practice of being married to or having a sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Bilingual : adjective Speaking two languages fluently Bisexual : adjective : 1. Sexually attracted to both men and women. 2. Having characteristics of both sexes. noun : A person who is sexually attracted to both men and women
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