Worthless Word for the Day

[teapeebubbles]

the worthless word for the day is: palpation

[fr. L. palpatio]
an examination by touch, esp. medical
(the verb palpate is probably by back-formation)

a retired doctor writes:
I once had an embarrassing faux pas in iridology.
I failed to detect a glass eye. I still feel the
shame of it. I had omitted palpation.

"Signs characteristic of tendinitis include lameness,
swelling, increased heat, and pain on palpation."
- TheHorse.com (KY) Feb 2, 2005

"After pregnancy had been confirmed by palpation,
the mares were randomly placed on either infected
or non-infected fescue pasture on Oct. 1, 1987."
- Les Sellnow(!), Western Horseman April 1999

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the Zen koan called "Ganto's Ax" goes on:
Both monks continued their meditation as if he
[Ganto] had not spoken. Ganto dropped
the ax and said, "You are true Zen students."