Manpad; Azeri music (1932)

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"IF YOUR MOTHER SAYS SHE LOVES YOU, CHECK IT OUT"

    Both the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune are always right, like
the pope, and cannot be told otherwise unless successfully sued.
    However, I sent the "Windy City" thing to the USA TODAY writer and to the
Weather Doctor.  Both of them responded immediately and said they would
change their information.  Amazing!
   The USA TODAY guy mentioned "If yoiur mother says she loves you, check it
out," and asked where that phrase comes from.  Anyone?

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MANPAD

   "Manpad" is not in the revised OED?  This frightening story is from the
WASHINGTON TIMES, 5-31-2002:


Missiles smuggled into U.S.
By Bill Gertz
THE WASHINGTON TIMES


     The U.S. government has alerted airlines and law enforcement agencies
that new intelligence indicates that Islamic terrorists have smuggled
shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles into the United States. Top Stori
     Classified intelligence reports circulated among top Bush administration
policymakers during the past two weeks identified the missiles as
Russian-made SA-7 surface-to-air missiles or U.S.-made Stinger anti-aircraft
missiles obtained covertly in Afghanistan, said intelligence officials who
spoke on the condition of anonymity.
     Authorities are looking for three types of "manpads," or man-portable,
air-defense systems, including SA-7s and Stingers, the officials said.
     The SA-7s have a range of more than 3 miles and can hit aircraft flying
at 13,500 feet. Stinger missiles can hit aircraft flying at 10,000 feet and 5
miles away.

(...)

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AZERI MUSIC

   This book is certainly no LONELY PLANET or BAEDEKER, unfortunately, and
had nothing on food.  However, there is the following nice section on Azeri
music--totally ignored by OED.  OED does have one citation for "duduk," in a
"zurna" entry from 1965.  "Duduk" is a national instrument in those parts.
Google shows that "kemantcha" given below is usually spelled "kemancha."

GUIDE-BOOK FOR TRAVELLERS THROUGH TRANSCAUCASIA
VOKS, Moscow
1932
Printed in USSR

Pg. 101:
   _AZERBAIDJAN MUSIC_
   Azerbaidjan music can be divided into classical and folk (urban and
peasant) music.
   Azerbaidjan classical music was the music of the palace.  The "destgiah"
is the chief form of classical music, an instrument (Pg. 102--ed.)  -vocal
form without regular rhythm.  The "destiakh" is performed by a singer
("khanende") playing on the "def", a tambourine accompanied by the "tar" and
"kemantcha".  The "tar" is a musical instrument resembling the lute with 12
metal strings and a leather cover.  The "kemantcha" is a stringed
instrument--an asiatic violin.
   The classical music of Azerbaidjan is strongly permeated with Persian,
Arabain and partly Turkish motifs.  The Arabian-Persian system of harmonies
"mugamat" is closely followed.
   The essence of Turkish music is not found here, but, in the folk music of
the peasants of Azerbaidjan.  Despite all religious prohibitions music plays
an important part in the daily life of the Azerbaidjan peasantry.  Numerous
songs were composed by the people themselves and by individual folk singers
and musicians--"ashugam".  There are songs of love and jealousy, joy and
suffering, historical and legendry national heroes anbd singers.  And lastly
there are songs for special occasions for ceremonies--weddings, funerals, the
daily work of the peasants, ploughing, harvesting, etc.
   The "ashug" is always accompanied by the instruments "sas" and "sarna";
the singer himself plays the "sas", an instrument resembling the lute with
metal strings.
   The "duiduik" and "nei" are common in Azerbaidjan.  The former is similar
to a reed pipe and the latter is a flute-like wind instrument.  Other
instruments are the "nagara" or "dumbek" (small drum) and the "dumbul"--a
small kettle drum wuth indefinite notes.  These instruments are largely used
to accompany songs and dances.