[dpihl]

Found this on the internet just now. Thought you all might enjoy having a chance to re-read this classic bit of literature.

 

[TweedyDon]

Thank you!

 

[Orsini]

Found this on the internet just now. Thought you all might enjoy having a chance to re-read this classic bit of literature.

That's nice reading.

"bete and beautiful"

What does "bete" mean? I can't find it in my dictionary...

 

[Quay]

That's nice reading.

"bete and beautiful"

What does "bete" mean? I can't find it in my dictionary...

Since you asked I'm happy to oblige. "Bete" is now an obsolete form of beet, which is itself now obsolete in the sense Wilde is using it. Basically in his day someone or something that was "beet" or "bete" meant having been put in the best form, amended, reformed, etc., so that they would be the perfect sort of person in no need of any further refinement. In this case I think he's talking about those who need no improvement in manners, dress or speech while noting also the importance of beauty.

Wilde was known to turn a phrase in many a new way and it's possible that one could then read it also as a variant of "beat" which would have meant a bundle of flax, as a kind of reference to something golden.

Thank your Orsini for getting my mind in gear. Several past teachers of mine are smiling.

Cordially,
A.Q.

 

[Orsini]

Since you asked I'm happy to oblige. "Bete" is now an obsolete form of beet, which is itself now obsolete in the sense Wilde is using it. Basically in his day someone or something that was "beet" or "bete" meant having been put in the best form, amended, reformed, etc., so that they would be the perfect sort of person in no need of any further refinement. In this case I think he's talking about those who need no improvement in manners, dress or speech while noting also the importance of beauty.

Wilde was known to turn a phrase in many a new way and it's possible that one could then read it also as a variant of "beat" which would have meant a bundle of flax, as a kind of reference to something golden.

Thank your Orsini for getting my mind in gear. Several past teachers of mine are smiling.

Cordially,
A.Q.

That is very interesting. Thank you for explaining that to me.

 

[Sam Hober]

Found this on the internet just now. Thought you all might enjoy having a chance to re-read this classic bit of literature.

Heart-warming, a great story.

Thank you.