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The fox and the grapes

Please note: This page is a read-only archive of messages posted in the Word Fugitives conference of Post & Riposte.

Topic:	9) The fox and the grapes (1 of 4), Read 89 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Barbara Wallraff ([email protected])
Date:	Wednesday, June 09, 1999 08:40 AM

Eddy Rhead, of Manchester, England, writes: "I would like to know if there is a word for the feeling of wanting being better than the having. A lucky affliction if constantly faced with sinful temptations!"

Topic:	9) The fox and the grapes (2 of 4), Read 77 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Aaron Reneker ([email protected])
Date:	Wednesday, June 09, 1999 05:50 PM

While this may not always apply, "anticipation" is what I would use in this instance. I use the recently released Star Wars movie as an example...the wanting to see the movie (the anticipation) was high, but the movie itself was a letdown for me. This latter feeling is usually called an "anticlimax" or "anticlimactic."

Hope that helps a little!

Aaron Reneker

Topic:	9) The fox and the grapes (3 of 4), Read 68 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	John Posten ([email protected])
Date:	Thursday, June 10, 1999 08:55 AM

This has caught my interest. Carly Simon used "Anticipation" well.

But there are two lines from the Bard that convey a sense that may contribute:
'Present fears are less than horrible imaginings' Macbeth
'It is a consumation devoutly to be wished' Romeo & Juliet (I think)

Perhaps english (should I capitalize) is stuck with 'anticipation.'

Topic:	9) The fox and the grapes (4 of 4), Read 71 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	John Posten ([email protected])
Date:	Thursday, June 10, 1999 09:10 AM

Goethe: Thinking is better than knowing; looking is better than thinking.

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