Would a Tantalus Stop the Ubiquitous Sabrage of Champagne?

It’s Friday, so it must be time to have a look at some more interesting and rarely used words.  Let us start with “sabrage”, the technique of opening a champagne bottle with a sabre. Now this is one that I certainly suggest that you do not try at home!  The history of this unusual pastime is believed to date back to France and the victories of Napoleon’s army all across Europe. It is believed, that at parties given to celebrate these successes, the cavalry would open the bottles of champagne with their sabres. Indeed, I think Napoleon may have encouraged this as he is known to have said, "Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it."  Either way bottles of champagne were required! These days sabrage tends to be used only at ceremonial occasions, such as weddings. Unbelievably, the record for the greatest number of champagne bottles sabered in one minute is thirty two. This amazing achievement was accomplished by Julio Chang in Marbella, Spain in April 2011. I must admit, having witnessed a champagne bottle being opened in the more conventional way of “popping” the cork, that led to a scene involving a shattered light bulb and a screeching cat, I think to involve a sabre must certainly be left to the professionals.

Keeping on with the alcohol theme have you heard of a tantalus? This is a locked case containing wine bottles or decanters, where the contents of the bottles are still on view.  It is believed that they were first used to prevent servants stealing from their masters. The term originates from Tantalus, a Greek mythical figure who received the terrible eternal punishment of having to stand in a pool of water, where the water always receded when he tried to drink.  Above his head was also a fruit tree, with low branches, but the fruit always eluded his grasp. Therefore, he was forever unable to eat or drink. The name Tantalus is also the origin of the verb “to tantalise” meaning to arouse a desire or expectation for something unobtainable. You can see how the experience of someone who is tantalised can compare with Tantalus, the thing they most desire is out of reach.

We could have a little cheat when it comes to looking at words beginning with “u”. Many words can be changed to mean the opposite by putting “un” in front of them. Let me give you a few examples to explain: approachable becomes unapproachable, meaning discouraging and reserved, assuming becomes unassuming, not arrogant or pretentious and unbiased simply means without bias.  However, the word I want to leave you with this week is ubiquitous meaning to appear to be in many places at the same time, to be everywhere! There are many examples of how we could use this word, maybe to describe a politician in the run up to elections or a popular television advertisement. It just has a certain ring to it –  I hope you will use it too!  

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