From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nutshell
Nutshell
that the essence of the nut - its edible part - is contained
inside its shell. The expression further gave rise to the
journalism term nut graph, short for nutshell paragraph.
A likely source of the phrase may be found in Shake-
speare’s Hamlet (Act 2, Scene 2) where the title character
exclaims: "O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and
count my selfe a King of infinite space".
Long before modern electronics, a few scholars made
attempts at condensing massive literary works so they
could be more easily stored. It became an obsession to
some to see just how small they could write. For example,
a copy of the Quran was reduced on a parchment mea-
suring four inches by half an inch. These copies were so
small it was said they could be stored in a nutshell.[4]
See also
• Cashew nutshell liquid
References
[1] "Walnuts as a filler in dynamite, thickening agent,
Korean Pine nuts — shelled, and shell, above; unshelled, below and polisher.", Wikipedia Walnut Article, accessed
November 07, 2010.
A nutshell is the outer shell of a nut. Most nutshells are [2] "Composting Nut shells.", GardenWeb, accessed
indelible and are removed before eating the nut meat in- November 07, 2010.
side. [3] "How to Compost Peanut Shells", Garden Guides,
Heidi Braley, January 2, 2010, accessed November
Usage [4]
07, 2010.
"Where Did the Expression “In a Nutshell”
Most nutshells are useful to some extent, depending on Originate and What Does the Idiom Mean?", Big Site
the circumstances. Walnut shells can be used for cleaning of Amazing Facts, September 23, 2010, accessed
and polishing, as a filler in dynamite, and as a paint thick- November 07, 2010.
ening agent.[1] Shells from pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts,
acorns, and most other nuts (with the exception of
peanuts) are useful in composting.[2] There is a method
for preparing peanuts to be composted, requiring alter-
ing the levels of nitrogen and carbon.[3]
Shells can also be used as loose-fill packing material,
to protect fragile items in shipping.
Idiomatic usage
The expression "in a nutshell" (of a story, proof, etc.)
means "in essence", metaphorically alluding to the fact
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nutshell&oldid=469713127"
Categories:
• Plant anatomy
• Metaphors
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nutshell
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