Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2013 February 26

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February 26[edit]

I just created this dab page. Could somebody please check for me whether interwiki links exist? The primary candidate is obviously a Japanese one. My understanding of written Japanese is precisely zero. Thanks in advance.--Ymblanter (talk) 11:04, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Which Yasui Santetsu do you mean? There are two on that link you gave us, and probably more in existence. Clarification would be very helpful. KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 11:58, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I mean the disambig page. Is there a disambig page on Yasui Santetsu in Japanese Wikipedia?--Ymblanter (talk) 12:26, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
As far as I can see, no. There is one article for Yasui Santetsu (安井 算哲) at [1]. At the top of the article it says something like "This article is about the first generation Go master (head of school) called Yasui Santetsu. For the second generation Yasui Santetsu, see Shibukawa Shunkai". 81.159.110.220 (talk) 12:54, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Great, thank you very much.--Ymblanter (talk) 13:03, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Really hard to figure out phrase[edit]

I've been trying to figure out this sentence and just don't get it. Can someone help me?

"The amount quoted is provided on a net of payer's tax basis and so should be paid in full without any tax related deductions." I"m especially confused by what "a net of" means.

Uqqqq (talk) 11:25, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It's horribly written, but I think you have to read it as "a net-of-payer's-tax basis", in other the amount requested already takes into account any tax allowances that may apply. However, this question seems close to asking for legal/financial advice so if you are in any doubt you should consult a professional adviser. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 11:32, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
PS "net" here is as in Net (economics). AndrewWTaylor (talk) 12:04, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

love handles[edit]

Why the fat deposits around the waist are called "love handles"? What is the etymology of this term? --PlanetEditor (talk) 15:44, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

It's a common place to put your hands when having sex with a person. Since this location provides an easy place to "grab onto" during the act of sex, having good grabbing sites (i.e. bulges of fat to grip) at the sides of the waist are called "love handles". See [2], [3], [4], [5]. Most of these are "folk" etymologies, and not strictly reliable, but there is a general sense that the sexual connotation is well understood; though several of the above (and a Google search confirms) that there are less sexual overtones (for example, where to rest your hands when hugging or putting your hand around someone's waist while walking side-by-side). However, a general consensus seems to feel that the idea that the fact that such fat bulges provide a gripping place during coitus is the predominant opinion as to the origin and sense of the phrase. --Jayron32 15:57, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks! --PlanetEditor (talk) 17:03, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
OED gives "Love handle n. slang (orig. U.S.)(usu. in pl.) excess or unwanted fat at the waist." which also includes its earliest recorded quotation "1970 Current Slang (Univ. S. Dakota) 4 iii.–iv. 20 Love handles, the fat on one's sides." from: "love handle". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.) (subscription required) and for balance cf. Merriam-Webster:love handles --Senra (talk) 23:25, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Also known as "Dunlap disease". ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 21:36, 27 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
He he. Dunlap or Dunlop disease (as in spare tyre/tire)? --Senra (talk) 22:00, 27 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
AS in done lopped over his belt. μηδείς (talk) 22:24, 27 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
The help desks and their tireless volunteers are wonderful. I learn something new every day. Thank you @Baseball Bugs and @μηδείς. Looking deeper, it appears that there is yet another term for love handlesmuffin top—although "That guy has dunlap syndrome. His belly dunlapped his belt" made me giggle --Senra (talk) 01:37, 28 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]
I would argue that there is a difference. "Muffin top" is when someone tries to fit into low-cut, too small trousers, leaving an unsightly bulge above their bottom - it's mainly caused by compression of the trousers, and the implication is that the person is trying to "dress mutton as lamb", and should stick to more suitable clothing. "Love handles" are excess fat (and loose skin) at the left and right side of the waist. Then general implication is that the person is comfortable with this, and there is no particular connotation of unsightliness Bluap (talk) 16:55, 1 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Authority control[edit]

  1. Out of context, and in general, what does authority control mean?
  2. In context, is {{authority control}} a tautology?
  3. Is there a better word or phrase to describe authority control?
See also Wikipedia:Help desk/Archives/2012 October 11#Authority control template

--Senra (talk) 23:13, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]

See Authority control for our article on the subject. I'm not aware of any special meaning of the phrase outside its library management context, although the two words could appear together in a sentence - "The reservoir is under water authority control." The phrase (as applied to libraries) isn't a tautology - "Authority" could be written "author-ity" to bring out its meaning. Tevildo (talk) 23:41, 26 February 2013 (UTC)[reply]