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I, likewise, opt for the hypen [-] in Bacon-Smith, to signify that, also, somehow 'unknowable/awesomeness' of joining together with another person. Perhaps, the marriage would've done better had I used the [~], instead, hence the suggestion of 'eternity,' from my perspective . Bottom line on the 'omission' or conjoining of two people, indicated by a hyphen, it remains the same. Some choose to do it. Some choose not. Personal choice, all the way around, in my view.

Kush and others, In the original Hebrew where God is a four letter word (tetragrammaton) yod-heh-vav-heh ( sometimes read Jehovah) the vowels are diacritical marks placed under the consonants. They are not always printed as it assumed that those familiar with Hebrew will know them. The name of God is used only in praying where one personaly addresses "Him", all other references to the deity and quotes of prayers and discussions use substitutes and circumlocutions.

Dear Tom,

it wasn't one of your posts I had on my mind, when I wrote: "I wouldn't, however, start picking on people who use veils for some words...".

I didn't think it was, either, but I'm touched that you took the time to eliminate any possibility of misunderstanding.

Best,

Anne

I guess my main question, at this point, is whether those who are Jewish/of the Hebrew religion feel disrespected by some of us spelling "God" as "G-D"/"G~d." Perhaps, it's seen as an unrightful co-opting of a treasured tradition.

Anne, for me, I do it without concertation with any member of this forum. I do it because, first, I see it as polite because spirituality (embodied in a particular religion form in that case) is a mostly sensitive subject, and second, I do it like I use Chinese sticks to eat in Chinese restaurants (because I like to try other manners of doing usual day to day actions). It is not a religious act for me, and I do not have the impression to follow a priest.

I am fan of Cohen (and only of him - I am not the average fan type person at all - I feel strange to be in a fan club at all, what ever it is - but Ey! (ey!ey! and ey! again. C'est la vie!) but he is not a deity to me. I am inspired by his spirituality and enjoy it very much, tough.

I also think that Cohen is not cramped in his religious back ground because otherwise he would have done a rabbi not a poet. Obviously.

Ligthning, 2 "-" means the contrary of 1 "-". Obviously again, it is NOT use to talk about a sacred act.

BTW I read somewhere on the net (but do not believe everything you read!) that this means : "Fornication Under the Consentment of the King" and that was put on the house where couples had the permission of "Our Majesty" to have children? False or True?

As for the idols of the show business - very paien idea, this, replacing the religions, there is a lot of alternatives. Only no one can return in the past in this regard. This said, It is pleasant enough to gather around an artist and this is enough to continue to do it as long as possible.

Lightning...I must have read somewhere that in ancient Hebrew all vowels were not spelled out, not just in the word 'god'. But I could be mistaken....

Kush, it's in modern Hebrew that vowels are not printed. Newspaper articles, for example, do not use diacritic marks. They only appear in texts where pronunciation is crucial, i.e. poetry or sacred texts. Some consonants (alef, yod, vav) are used as vowels in some words.

Anne....it appears (from a little surfing on the Net) that ancient Hebrew did not even have vowel points which were added later. I could post the link but would rather not at this point coz' I am not so sure of the source. I may later.

anyway, my favorite non-vowel speech is the czech tongue-twister....

"strch prst skrz krk"

strc prst skrs krk - stick a finger through the throat. say it three times fast

Tchoco, I've just finished another book about the English language, and it was adamant about the origins of the word F~ck having nothing to do with Royal blessings (if you know what I mean). I thought that was sad, because it was kinda funny. They think it comes from Latin, French or German origins. Apparently the word in use before 1503 was swive!

That's my bit of nerdism for the day!

and it was adamant about the origins of the word F~ck Wink

That will be lost in the evening of times I'm afraid. If the explanation was good, I guess we had seen from time to time the word like this : fucq (except for Victoria reign, I'm afraid).

Hum... according to the theory of Ms. Bacon-Smith, 1 "~" means "for eternity". The wink after, was therefore absolutely necessary.

Yes, 't'was, Tchocolatl ~ unless we're speaking strictly of my heart. Then, the wink is no longer a necessity.

Kush, you're right, my old Hebrew teacher says the diacritic marks were added in the 8th century. Jews were so dispersed that relying on collective memory for the correct pronunciation of words was not enough, so that system was devised. My apologies.

Lizzytysh, I find your answer about why you, personally, use the hyphen very beautiful. That it stands for all that is unknowable about God. (There, I wrote it.) The explanation I was given was more down to earth.

I also think your question is a very good one:

I guess my main question, at this point, is whether those who are Jewish/of the Hebrew religion feel disrespected by some of us spelling "God" as "G-D"/"G~d." Perhaps, it's seen as an unrightful co-opting of a treasured tradition.

I hope somebody for whom it is a "treasured tradition" will answer. I would be surprised though if they felt disrespected. As you said yourself religions don't have monopolies or copyrights on inspiring ideas.

So, disrespected probably not, but puzzled, maybe, as I would be if I saw a non-Jew wear a yarmulke. It's not quite like eating with chopsticks; it's traditionally a sign of belief in and compliance with a whole set of religious rules. Why do it if you're not Jewish? If you were an orthodox Jew, would you feel honored if non-Jews wore a yarmulke when they visit you? Would you feel offended if they didn't?

The questions above are adressed to a general "you" of course, not only lizzytysh.

I don't know, Anne. I guess I see the wearing of a garment somehow different from the spelling of a concept/reality word. Especially if the tradition has its roots in something as non-spiritual as semantics. It's not semantics, but has to do with pronunciations? I believe that the "unknowable" aspect originated with wherever I read it about Leonard's usage of the hypen. I know that's how I look at it now, but couldn't swear to how I came by it. I believe it was via Leonard's words, however.

I'm puzzle also because I feel like if you would like to read your answer at this question. I'm sorry if my answer shakes your habits.