I find etymology so fascinating.

embarrass, v.t. From French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (from Latin in-) + baraça noose

1: (a) to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties; (b) to involve in financial difficulties; (c) to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress (bawdy stories embarrassed him)
2: (a) to hamper the movement of; (b) HINDER, IMPEDE
3: to make intricate : COMPLICATE
4: to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part) (digestion embarrassed by overeating)


(courtesy of Merriam-Webster Online)

(no subject)

Bush Paints His Goals As 'Crises'

Ugh.

Bush "is wagering a lot," says Michael Tanner of the libertarian Cato Institute. "But success would make him the Republican equivalent of FDR: He's done war and remade the nation's domestic agenda."

Except that FDR didn't fully commit to war until we were attacked, and his remodeling of domestic policy was in reaction to an actual crisis, not because it suited his fancy.

brain links

Third Language Area in Brain Identified

Smoking 'is bad for your brain'

Brain Area May Control Urge to Hoard

Talent 'changes way brain works'

Toys have lasting impact on brain

Breakups Can Be Mapped in the Brain

Brain processes whistled language too