Bhutto is mourned as Pakistan reels

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you explain to me the meaning of the word "reels" in the following title
"Bhutto is mourned as Pakistan reels".

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by vil

Dear teachers,

Would you explain to me the meaning of the word "reels" in the following title
"Bhutto is mourned as Pakistan reels".

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

"Bhutto is mourned as Pakistan is thrown off balance/staggers".

vil,
The assassination of Bhutto has rocked the people of Pakistan. Metaphorically, it is similar to a prize fighter who receives a staggering punch to the head.

Bhutto's push for increased freedom in Pakistan will be greatly missed!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[vil]

Hi Amigos4,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I am afraid I might make a mistake, but I couldn't help offering a better word on this place, namely "cataclysm". Recently I piled up errors. I have to be more restrained.

Regards.

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by vil

Hi Amigos4,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I am afraid I might make a mistake, but I couldn't help offering a better word on this place, namely "cataclysm". Recently I piled up errors. I have to be more restrained.

Regards.

Hi, vil! Happy Saturday!

Don't be afraid to make 'mistakes' in this forum. We all stumble every now and then. Remember, it is far better to practice your writing skills than it is to sit passively while others advance.

'Cataclysm' is a terrific word to describe a disaster. It is often used when referring to a natural disaster, such as a typhoon or devastating fire or flood. But, certainly, the assassination of a major political figure could be referred to as a cataclysmic event.

Keep posting your comments and questions, my friend! I enjoy seeing the progress you are making!

Cheers,
Amigos4

[vil]

Hi Amigos4,

Thank you for your encouraging words took such blessed effect on me as hot New Year's punch, which was swallowed in large gulps by me. Cheers.

Maybe in this place (in the mentioned above article's title) fits such a word in here as "collapse" ("societal collapse") as in "What cause the Soviet Union collapse?" or "What happened in the collapse of the Soviet Union?".

Regards.

V.

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by vil

Hi Amigos4,

Thank you for your encouraging words took such blessed effect on me as hot New Year's punch, which was swallowed in large gulps by me. Cheers.

Maybe in this place (in the mentioned above article's title) fits such a word in here as "collapse" ("societal collapse") as in "What cause the Soviet Union collapse?" or "What happened in the collapse of the Soviet Union?".

Regards.

V.

Vil, save some of that New Year's punch for me!

I like the way you think, amigo! Keep experimenting with our language!

'Collapse' may be a little premature in this case. Pakistan still exists and Musharraf is still in power. If, and when, his administration no longer maintains control we could see a 'collapse'. So, paraphrasing the news headline, we might say 'Bhutto is mourned as Pakistan staggers but does not collapse". (Visualize the boxer who is staggered by his opponent's punch but does not collapse to the floor. He hasn't lost the bout but he's in serious trouble!)

Cheers,
Amigos4

[vil]

Hi Amigos4,

I agree unconditional with your statement referring the term "collapse".

I noticed your superior pun "New Year's punch" and "boxing punch", What fun it is to speak with a man, who grasps the meaning of words, even the meaning of the half-expressed words?

To the next bout.

Regards.

V.

[MrPedantic]

As a (probably superfluous) footnote:

"Reel" (both verb and noun) implies a spinning motion. When your head or your mind "reels", you therefore have a sensation of giddiness in some contexts, and of confusion in others.

A sudden blow may cause such giddiness; thus if we say that a boxer reels, we in effect infer his giddiness from his motions (staggering, etc.).

Best wishes,

MrP