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mensa

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:44 am
by Philip Hudson
I am interested in the origin and uses of the word mensa. It has been mentioned in Alpha Agora but I don’t see it as having been used as a Good Word. I have done some research on it, and would like to hear the Good Doctor's take on the word.

While "thumbing" through some old Alpha Agora threads, I came upon one in which a contributor boasted that he was a brick layer and a member of the Mensa organization. A carpet layer working in my house bragged that he was a member of Mensa. He joined to meet girls. Wow! Was he hard up! I have had Mensa members urge me to take the test and join. I have even had Mensa members tell me that I qualify for membership on the basis of my achievement. I have no desire whatsoever to identify myself with this self-aggrandizing group of egomaniacs. I can handle my egomania in the privacy of my own home, thank you. After suffering from a stroke, I was identified as an egomaniac by a shrink who said it was a bad problem for me because I wasn’t intelligent enough to be an egomaniac. Angst and assurance rolled into one package, that. This paragraph is somewhat tongue in cheek.

I am so glad there are no tests required to contribute to Alpha Agora. Keep it clean and be respectful seem to be the only rules.

BTW, I have laid lots of bricks and flooring in my day.

Re: mensa

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:22 pm
by William Hupy
Mensa (pron.: /ˈmɛnsə/; Latin: [ˈmensa]) means "table" in Latin, as is symbolized in the organization's logo, and was chosen to demonstrate the round-table nature of the organization; the coming together of equals.

Re: mensa

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:20 pm
by Philip Hudson
Does anyone watch "The Big Bang Theory" on TV? I believe it it is the number one comedy program. Bunch of "mensas"? No round table.

Re: mensa

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:11 pm
by eberntson
A law dictionary had this gem:

MENSA ET THORO. The phrase a mensa et thoro is applied to a divorce which separates the husband and wife but does not dissolve the marriage. Vide Divorce.

I enjoy the show "The Big Bang Theory" a great deal. it is not very often that physics is the root of humor on popular television.

E

Re: mensa

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:32 pm
by Philip Hudson
Thanks for MENSA ET THORO, eberntson.

I to am a fan of "The Big Bang Theory". If one is a scientist of any kind, and an engineer is a kind of scientist, Sheldon to the contrary notwithstanding, "The Big Bang Theory" is very relevant and hilarious.