CATOPTROMANCY

The answer is so obvious, that I am surprised that any Member should struggle with the definition of this word.

Those of you who have seriously studied semiotics, (the scientific study of the properties of signalling systems), will recall the Yo-ho-ho Theory, (propounded by �The sailor with the navy-blue eyes�).

You will have noticed how anthropo-semiotics, (human behaviours), have been greatly influenced by zo�-semiotics, (animal behaviours). Consequently, sensible human speech patterns are often transformed into nonsensical animal speech patterns.

For example, the Scandiwegian word, �OOM� (cow), becomes, �MOO�. The Nordo-Iraqi word, �ABA� (sheep), becomes, �BAA�. The Kiwi-Maori word, �WIA-OM�, (cat), becomes �MIAOW�

In a similar way, the Dinosaurian Words, �COPYCAT MATRON�, (prehistoric parrot), became �CATOPTROMANCY�.

So, a Matron, (an elderly lady), who is a copycat, (who copies the behaviour of other people), is guilty of CATOPTROMANCY.

For example, she might wear a similar dress, or buy the same perfume, or have her hair styled in the same way as a famous film-star. She is an example of a Copycat Matron.

In the 16^th century, the meaning widened to include all forms of copying. In Mathematics, for example:

�To swear at a hippotamuse is a sequel to some of the scares of the other two guides.�

CATOPTROMANCY

Les Douglas