There seem to be a few theories as to the etymology of the phrase "hocus pocus". My favourite is that it's a corruption of the Latin "hoc est corpus" - "this is the body (of Christ)" - which was originally used to mock the magic of transubstantiation and was subsequently extended to apply to all kinds of magic.
The special event to which the above sign refers is the visit of an old German bloke called Ratzinger, who is something of an expert in hocus pocus. I am a Catholic by birth and an atheist by choice, and I shall keep my opinion of the Catholic church to myself. Nevertheless, the procession is due to pass quite close to the office where I work, so I shall probably take my big lens with me and see if I can shoot one of the most powerful men in the world.
When I was young, a friend remarked on my resemblance to the man who shot the Pope. Some years later, it was said that I resembled Salman Rushdie. Either way, it would seem that I have the countenance of someone who upsets religious leaders. I'm not unhappy about that.
Of course, the really special event on Thursday is that Imp starts the first of her new jobs :-)
Let Glasgow Flourish
5 days ago
Happy shooting! (Only with the camera, of course, I'm an atheist but a pacifist too and even experts in hocus pocus should be photographed with care.)
ReplyDeleteSalman Rushdie I can understand!
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoy your write-ups Sleepyduck, you have a way with words that make me green with envy. Your writings always add so much to your daily photo blogs.
ReplyDeletepassword is banish.
shenanigans would have fit this one too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFDW9b_ejfI
ReplyDelete"Focus" your lens on this one!!
When you say 'shoot' I do hope you mean with your camera (especially given your congenital likeness to religious misanthropes through the ages!)
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Imp in her new job!
Hope you made the most of the photo opportunity, seeing as you'll be paying for it through your tax bill ;-) (and I hear one of his original entourage has described us as 'like a 3rd world country', apparently not intended as a slight.....and with friends like that.....)
ReplyDelete