ETYMOLOGY: After Bluebeard, nickname of Raoul, the blue-bearded main character in a fairy tale by Charles Perrault (1628-1703). In the story, Bluebeard's wife finds the bodies of his previous wives in a room she was forbidden to enter. The feminine equivalent of the word could be black widow. Earliest documented use: 1795.

A few weeks ago we saw baddies from the real world, and now it's time to visit the rogues' gallery from fiction. This week we'll see a killer, BLUEBEARD a maimer, ? a seducer, Don Juan a petrifier, ? an evil scientist. Frankenstein

MEANING:noun: A person imposing conformity without concern for individuality.

ETYMOLOGY:After Procrustes, a giant in Greek mythology, who stretched or cut his victims to make them fit his bed. He was killed by Theseus. From Greek Procroustes (stretcher). The word is more often used in its adjective form procrustean. Earliest documented use: 1581.__________________________________ ROCRUSTES - small iron rocks

MEANING:noun:1. A beautiful and seductive woman, especially one leading others into disaster.2. Something attractive that is potentially disastrous.3. A device that makes loud sounds, used for warning signals.[What a great spot this would have been to introduce the word "ululating" !]

ETYMOLOGY:After Siren, one of a group of sea nymphs, whose enchanting singing lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks around their island. Also see femme fatale. Earliest documented use: 1340.

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SIRENO - the male counterpart, though inclined to be nosy. A great sword-fighter, too. See Roxanne for references.

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