Monday, February 4, 2008

Bellwether

A bellwether is any entity in a given arena that serves to create or influence trends or to presage future happenings. The term is derived from the Middle English bellewether and refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram (a wether) in order that this animal might lead its flock of sheep.

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talk nineteen to the dozen

  to speak rapidly and without stopping