AI for Breakfast
Chris Witham • May 12, 2024
Post 116 - It’s the weekend - Idiom of the day
Make hay while the sun shines
Figurative meaning
"Make hay while the sun shines" means to take advantage of favourable conditions while they last, seizing opportunities when they arise. It emphasises the importance of timing and proactive action.
Typical usage
- Business Opportunities: "The market is booming right now, so let's make hay while the sun shines."
- Personal Projects: "Since we're both off work this week, let's make hay while the sun shines and finish painting the house."
- Career Development: "You have a lot of energy and motivation right now. Make hay while the sun shines and apply for that promotion."
Origin
This idiom has agrarian roots dating back to at least the 16th century. Farmers rely on dry weather to cut, dry, and store hay for winter feeding. If hay is cut while the sun is shining and there’s no risk of rain, it will dry properly and last through the winter. Wet hay spoils easily, so farmers needed to act swiftly during sunny weather to secure their hay for the colder months.
The first recorded use of the phrase in its current form can be found in John Heywood's A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue (1546), which was a comprehensive collection of proverbs and sayings.
https://ota.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/repository/xmlui/handle/20.500.12024/A03168
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: 'An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.' - Benjamin Franklin
EXPLANATION: This quote reminds us of the enduring value of learning and education as a pathway to success.
WORD: Egregious
DEFINITION: Outstandingly bad or shocking.
USAGE: 'The error in the report was so egregious it couldn’t be ignored.'
ORIGIN: From the Latin 'egregius,' originally meaning 'distinguished' or 'remarkable,' later used ironically to highlight glaring faults.
TRADE FOCUS: Chef
AI APPLICATIONS:
- MENU DESIGN: AI creates innovative recipes based on available ingredients.
- SUPPLY MANAGEMENT: AI predicts ingredient needs to minimise waste.
- CUSTOMER INSIGHTS: AI analyses feedback to improve dish offerings.
- SKILL TRAINING: AI provides virtual cooking lessons and techniques.
On 13th January 1898, Émile Zola published 'J'accuse,' an open letter defending Alfred Dreyfus, which became a pivotal moment in the Dreyfus Affair.
IDIOM OF THE DAY: Bite off more than you can chew
FIGURATIVE MEANING: To take on a task that is too difficult to manage.
TYPICAL USAGE: 'She bit off more than she could chew by agreeing to organise the entire event.'
ORIGIN: Likely from the literal difficulty of chewing an overly large piece of food.
IDIOM OF THE DAY: Throw in the towel
FIGURATIVE MEANING: To give up or admit defeat.
TYPICAL USAGE: 'After hours of trying, he threw in the towel and called for help.'
ORIGIN: From boxing, where a towel is thrown into the ring to signal surrender.
AI GENERATED HUMOUR: Why did the AI bring a notepad to the beach? To take down sandy data!
This joke connects AI’s data-driven nature to a playful seaside scenario.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: 'The only way to do great work is to love what you do.' - Steve Jobs
EXPLANATION: This quote highlights the importance of passion in achieving excellence in one’s work.
WORD: Ineffable
DEFINITION: Too great or extreme to be expressed in words.
USAGE: 'The beauty of the sunrise was ineffable, leaving everyone speechless.'
ORIGIN: From the Latin 'ineffabilis,' meaning 'unutterable,' often used to describe profound experiences.
TRADE FOCUS: Jeweller
AI APPLICATIONS:
- DESIGN CREATION: AI generates intricate jewellery designs based on current trends.
- GEMSTONE ANALYSIS: AI evaluates the quality and authenticity of gemstones.
- CUSTOM ORDERS: AI creates virtual previews for bespoke pieces.
- INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: AI optimises stock levels and demand forecasting.
On 6th January 1838, Samuel Morse successfully demonstrated the first public telegraph message, marking a revolution in communication.
IDIOM OF THE DAY: Put all your eggs in one basket
FIGURATIVE MEANING: To risk everything on a single venture.
TYPICAL USAGE: 'Investing all your money in one stock is like putting all your eggs in one basket.'
ORIGIN: Likely from the precariousness of carrying all eggs in one basket, risking breaking them all if dropped.
IDIOM OF THE DAY: Spill the beans
FIGURATIVE MEANING: To reveal a secret.
TYPICAL USAGE: 'She spilled the beans about the surprise party.'
ORIGIN: Likely derived from voting practices in ancient Greece where beans were used, and spilling them prematurely could reveal results.
AI GENERATED HUMOUR: Why did the AI start a podcast? It wanted to amplify its voice!
This playful joke ties AI’s communication abilities to the world of podcasting.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: 'You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.' - Wayne Gretzky
EXPLANATION: This quote reminds us that taking risks and trying is essential to success, even if failure is a possibility.
WORD: Ephemeral
DEFINITION: Lasting for a very short time.
USAGE: 'The beauty of the sunset was ephemeral, fading within moments.'
ORIGIN: From the Greek 'ephemeros,' meaning 'lasting only a day,' often used to describe fleeting experiences.
