On being sent to Coventry.

[trof]

"In the 17th century, when this phrase is supposed to have originated, Coventry was a small town. It is suggested that the phrase, although we now use it in an allusory sense, originated from people being actually sent there.

The story - and it is no more than that - is that Cromwell sent a group of Royalist soldiers to be imprisoned in Coventry, around 1648. The locals, who were parliamentary supporters, shunned them and refused to consort with them.

The first known citation of the allusory meaning is from the Club book of the Tarporley Hunt, 1765:

"Mr. John Barry having sent the Fox Hounds to a different place to what was ordered was sent to Coventry, but return'd upon giving six bottles of Claret to the Hunt."

By 1811, the then understood meaning of the term was defined in Grose's The Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue:

To send one to Coventry; a punishment inflicted by officers of the army on such of their brethren as are testy, or have been guilty of improper behaviour, not worthy the cognizance of a court martial. The person sent to Coventry is considered as absent; no one must speak to or answer any question he asks, except relative to duty, under penalty of being also sent to the same place. On a proper submission, the penitent is recalled, and welcomed by the mess, as just returned from a journey to Coventry."

And now it appears that I have been sent to Coventry here at DU.
I believe the demographics have changed and that may be the reason.
Most of the elders, like 180, are gone.
And some of the fun people, like matcom, just don't come here any more, or rarely.
Youth prevails?

So the things I have to say, which used to elicit many replies (at least once in a while) are ignored (no, not "ignored", at least I don't think so) and receive no comments and...sink.

No, this is not a 'pity party', nor another 'I'm leaving DU' drama queen/king swan song.
Although a modicum of ego may be involved.
;-)

It's just the realization that my posts no longer make for interesting conversation here.
Not just in The Lounge, but, for me, The Lounge isn't much fun any more.
I get no more 'give and take'.
I guess that's my problem, and not yours.
:shrug:

Well, things change.
And DU certainly has.
Will Pitt used to be a staple here.
I liked to read what he had to say.
I haven't seen a post from him in quite a while.
I guess he's moved on too.

To the few of us who still remember the good ol' days, here's a
:grouphug:

Right now I'm involved in a city council campaign.
My candidate, if elected, would be the very first black woman on the city council of this rural coastal Alabama town ever.
God, I'd like to see the good ol' boys on the council have to deal with this woman.
:evilgrin:

Anyway...I've enjoyed the ride.
I'm not leaving, but I won't be around on a regular basis for a while.
Not until the election.
And who cares, anyway?
:-)

Throwing out the

glub...glub...glub...glub...glub...glub...

[ThomCat]

1. I care.

:(

I'm sorry you feel like you're on the outside now.

It's true that there seems to have been a big shift here.

:hug:

[trof]

2. Thanks.

This really isn't a 'please love me' post.
Just how things are (or seem to be to me) now.

[trof]

3. And now? I go to cook All American Burgers. Recipe:

All-American Burger

1 pound Tennessee Pride County Sausage (mild, sage or hot)

2 pounds ground beef

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced or cm HALF cup minced onions (optional)

Blend all ingredients in a large mixing bowl with hands. Form into patties. Grill burgers 15 minutes or until cooked in center. Splash with additional Worcestershire sauce, if desired.

[KamaAina]

4. You'll be supporting the Sky Blues, of course

Coventry's entry in a lower division of English football (not throwball).

[nomorenomore08]

7. Heh, throwball. Good way to put it.

I'm a fan of American football myself, but I can't help but be amused by the linguistic discrepancy there. Good example of a term becoming almost totally divorced from its etymological root ("almost" because there are still kickers/punters).

[DarkTirade]

5. Things shift, that happens.

:hug:

I actually haven't noticed you around much lately. Come by more often. :)

[no name no slogan]

6. Nothing wrong with taking a break for awhile

Things seem to ebb and flow around here. I've not been spending as much time here for a variety of reasons myself.

Take some time off and come back later. Chances are it will all be different in a few months.

And I've been to Coventry (in real life) a couple times myself. For an industrial city, it's nice. The Cathedral is a sight to behold.

[MrScorpio]

8. Dude, how about a beer?

Hang in there!

[mainegreen]

9. See you at election time again.

Until then, good fishing!

:toast:

[Zuiderelle]

10. I care.

Very much. And I agree with you, that things have changed, and that the conversation and opinions that used to matter here don't so much anymore. And it's not very much fun either.

Good luck to your candidate. I'd love to see her win. Please let us know how it goes at least.

:hug:

[Zuiderelle]

11. Kick.

Please return from your trip to Coventry. :)

[rug]

12. At least you weren't sent to the Cooking & Baking Group.

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. Hey, trof, I'll miss you.

Anyone who knows Crystal Lake, IL, can't be all bad.

This grey head who follows me around prevents me from posting too much.

Best of luck to your candidate. See you after my Senator wins the.....I am afraid to say it, but you know what I mean.

ON edit: and I am not youth.

:hi: