Dr D's column: Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and who should play second fiddle
Since ‘Lionel’ comes from the word lion, can the king of the jungle be asked to play lieutenant?
By ET Bureau | Updated:
Agencies
He is one of the leading doctors in the country. He values his privacy (but not of his clients.)
Dear Dr D,
Consider this headline about me: “Antoine Griezmann admits thought of being ‘Lionel Messi’s lieutenant’ made him turn down Barcelona move”. Now my etymological dictionary describes the word ‘lieutenant ’ thus: “late 14c., “one who takes the place of another,” from Old French lieu tenant” substitute, deputy,” literally “place holder” (14c.).
The notion is of a “substitute” for higher authority. In the specific military sense the meaning is of “army officer next in rank to a captain and commanding the company in his absence” and comes from the 1570s.
Now, Doc, I’m no lieutenant. I’m a World Cup winner, which Messi (I believe the etymological root of that name is “dirty or untidy state of thing”) is not. He may have scored more goals than me but so what? He’s older and has been around longer. I’ll get there. Now I have no problem accepting that Messi can be my leader. But I need to know why I should submit to him. Why cannot he be my lieutenant instead?
AG,
Atletico Madrid
Dear AG,
I have zero interest in sports and no idea what to make of this. However, it may interest you to know that the name ‘Antoine’ is from the Latin ‘Antony’, the most famous of whom, Mark Antony, was Caesar’s lieutenant. And second, that ‘Lionel’, comes the word lion. The king of the jungle cannot be asked to play second fiddle.
STATUTORY WARNING: This humour column is not for the weak-kneed or the thin-skinned.
Dear Dr D,
Consider this headline about me: “Antoine Griezmann admits thought of being ‘Lionel Messi’s lieutenant’ made him turn down Barcelona move”. Now my etymological dictionary describes the word ‘lieutenant ’ thus: “late 14c., “one who takes the place of another,” from Old French lieu tenant” substitute, deputy,” literally “place holder” (14c.).
The notion is of a “substitute” for higher authority. In the specific military sense the meaning is of “army officer next in rank to a captain and commanding the company in his absence” and comes from the 1570s.
Now, Doc, I’m no lieutenant. I’m a World Cup winner, which Messi (I believe the etymological root of that name is “dirty or untidy state of thing”) is not. He may have scored more goals than me but so what? He’s older and has been around longer. I’ll get there. Now I have no problem accepting that Messi can be my leader. But I need to know why I should submit to him. Why cannot he be my lieutenant instead?
AG,
Atletico Madrid
Their moves on the football field made waves in the World Cup. Here’s what the biggest stars of the tournament are up to now.
(In Pic: On the left is Luka Modric, and on the right is Harry Kane.)
Dear AG,
I have zero interest in sports and no idea what to make of this. However, it may interest you to know that the name ‘Antoine’ is from the Latin ‘Antony’, the most famous of whom, Mark Antony, was Caesar’s lieutenant. And second, that ‘Lionel’, comes the word lion. The king of the jungle cannot be asked to play second fiddle.
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STATUTORY WARNING: This humour column is not for the weak-kneed or the thin-skinned.
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