Root and Branch

On the internet today:

The Hartford Courant comments about the origins of the "Root and branch" phrase:

Root and branch - This phrase, which first appeared in written English in 1640, refers to the complete removal or overhaul of something. It alludes to Chapter 4, Verse 1 from the Old Testament Book of Malachi, which promises that a day will come "that shall burn as an oven," reducing the proud and the wicked to stubble and leaving them "neither root nor branch." Gulp.
The phrase pops up quite often in literature. "I've given him up for my part - fairly disowned him - cast him off, root and branch," wrote Anne Brontë in her novel "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall." (Rob Kyff)

Chez Caroline posts about the Brontës and Brontë country. A few Google Earth pictures are published (check this old post of ours for more), including the Brontë Birthplace (on the right) in Thornton that, as we have published, is going to be auctioned, Anne's tomb in Scarborough, Oakwell Hall, the Brontë Parsonage, Top Withins...

Remember Gordon Brown's comparisons with Brontë characters? The New York Times strikes back with an old one, Heathcliff. But we cannot remember that Tony Blair was previously defined as... his Cathy (!)

The brooding Scot ended his decade-long run as a hefty Heathcliff to Tony Blair's chatty Cathy, stepping out of the shadows Friday with visible relief to begin a campaign for prime minister that he has already won. (Maureen Downd)

Finally, The Star Online reviews an old acquaintance of this blog, Marisha Perl's Special Topics in Calamity Physics.

Categories: In the News, References