Friday, January 20, 2012

Pharaoh

Faux Pharaonic Mask, Antique Shop, Mount Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok
(Velvia slide film)
The word for the day is Pharaoh. It is a noun meaning "great house", and applies to the official title of the kings of ancient Egypt. The word dates from the reign of Akhenaten (about 3,500 years ago), but was made popular by its use in the Bible, especially in the Book of Exodus. Famous Pharaohs include Ramesses the Great, Tutankhamun and Steve Martin.

The phrase "Pharaoh's Chicken" refers to the Egyptian Vulture, the symbol of which appears commonly in hieroglyphics. A philosophical question that might be asked is, "Which came first, Pharaoh's Chicken or the road kill?"



Completely unrelated to today's word (but it rhymes) is the phrase "fair row", which is when Crew teams don't cheat during a race.


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19 comments:

  1. JoeJanuary 20, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    It may not be real but is sure looks effective.

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  2. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahJanuary 20, 2012 at 12:27 AM

    Real or not, spooky sense in such close proximity !

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  3. cieldequimperJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:14 AM

    Perhaps that's what the lady at the antiques shop on my post yesterday was looking at, lol! I wouldn't want a pharaoh at home though...

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  4. Joop ZandJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    Very nice shot Doug.

    Greetings,Joop

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  5. GinnieJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:58 AM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this close up, Doug...and all the wonderful text!

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  6. Victoria/SwedenJanuary 20, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    Very nice!

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  7. yzJanuary 20, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    love the close up and the details

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  8. hugoJanuary 20, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    What a detailed and amazing portraiture! You've brought him to life, I must say... Just couldn't take my eyes off his!!!

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  9. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 20, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    Amazing art! Thanks for so interesting post!
    Léia

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  10. franzJanuary 20, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    what fun it is to read your "explanations" - this is "far out" (it doesn't exactly rhyme, but it comes close enough ... ;-))

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  11. A.BarlowJanuary 20, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    Nice man! Seems to pop out of the screen.

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  12. fabrizioJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    impressive here your use of details, great historical work, interesting as always

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  13. FilipBlogJanuary 20, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    Super picture, I would love to visit Egypt.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  14. KalaJanuary 20, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    Wonderful details and light here Doug.

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  15. ChristopherJanuary 21, 2012 at 12:20 AM

    Whimsical delight--always a great pleasure to visit your photoblog Doug.

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  16. Traveling HawkJanuary 21, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    an interesting close-up

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    Love the close up shot and the text.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  18. DomLOrthaJanuary 24, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Very nice and neat close-up! Love the comment you wrote too!
    Have a nice day.

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  19. rianFebruary 5, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    haha.. clever wordplay there.. and that's a beautiful capture you got here..

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