Hiassen: thicken his blood

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Marius Hancu - 05 Feb 2010 07:28 GMT

Hello:

Are there connotations between "thicker blood" and more courage?

----
For ten minutes the detective stood under a cold shower, a ritual
meant to thicken his blood in preparation for the return to Minnesota.
Rolvaag believed that living in South Florida had turned him in a
weather wimp.

Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 71
----
--
Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Lars Eighner - 05 Feb 2010 07:51 GMT

In our last episode,
<7f97ea90-bb05-4262-b6a1-b843fd6ab0ec@p24g2000yqm.googlegroups.com>, the
lovely and talented Marius Hancu broadcast on alt.usage.english:

> Hello:

> Are there connotations between "thicker blood" and more courage?

He means to harden himself to exposure to cold.

It is folk belief that becoming acclimatized to cold weather involves
thickening of the blood.

> ----
> For ten minutes the detective stood under a cold shower, a ritual
> meant to thicken his blood in preparation for the return to Minnesota.
> Rolvaag believed that living in South Florida had turned him in a
> weather wimp.

> Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 71
> ----
> --
> Thanks.
> Marius Hancu

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Lars Eighner <http://larseighner.com/> Warbama's Afghaninam day: 65
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Marius Hancu - 05 Feb 2010 08:11 GMT

> > Are there connotations between "thicker blood" and more courage?
>
> He means to harden himself to exposure to cold.
>
> It is folk belief that becoming acclimatized to cold weather involves
> thickening of the blood.

Ah, I think I've seen that.

> > ----
> > For ten minutes the detective stood under a cold shower, a ritual
> > meant to thicken his blood in preparation for the return to Minnesota.
> > Rolvaag believed that living in South Florida had turned him in a
> > weather wimp.
> > Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip, p. 71

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / February 2010

Hiassen: thicken his blood