This is a fairly ordinary word, you might think.
And you’d be right.
The word ‘vacuum’ is recorded in English from 1550 to mean, pretty much what we mean by it today—an empty space, especially a space empty of air, especially one from which the air has been artificially withdrawn.’
Which is how a vacuum cleaner works, isn’t it?
It draws out the air and (in so doing) also sucks up the dust and cleans the floor.
The word ‘vacuum’ is stolen straight from the Latin word for ‘empty’ without any changes.
I remember when I first learned this word as a child, I was delighted to discover a word with had two Us side-by-side.
(I think I’m correct in saying no other words has this letter combination.)
But why are we talking about this?
Because one of the pioneers of robotic vacuum cleaners has filed for bankruptcy.
Even if you don’t own one, I’m sure you’ve seen these little robotics vacuum cleaners on TV at some point.
They tend to be small, round, very low devices that roll on their little wheels across the floor changing direction every time they bump into a piece of furniture.
I take it that the way to use one of these things is to turn it on and then turn in loose in a room while you are somewhere else.
(You don’t want it bumping into your feet as you walk around.)
In fact, the ideal solution might be to turn it on and then leave the house for a while.
Planning to go to a restaurant?
Then turn on your robot vacuum to clean the place up in your absence.
Anyway, all this comes up because the maker of the Roomba vacuum filed for bankruptcy this week.
iRobot was founded in 1990 by M.I.T. researchers who invented the popular robotic household device in 2002.
Roombas are designed to suck up dirt and debris as they move independently around a room, powered by rechargeable batteries.
The company has struggled in recent years with competition from other robotic vacuum makers and customer concerns about data privacy.
So, we can feel sorry for the engineers who invented this thing, if it is indeed their company that has gone belly up.
At the same time, I’d rather push our Dyson around the room myself because (a) I can be sure nothing has been missed, and (b) it will be much quicker than waiting for the little robot to fiddle around.
And all of this grows out of a ‘vacuum’!
TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER SCROLL FURTHER DOWN THIS PAGE >>>>>>
BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
