Emerita

Cutter's Log - Stardate 3102.61.40
Current Song - Holding Back The Years (Simply Red)

Ever get that one word stuck in your head after hearing it somehow?

Today, that word was "Emeritus."

Commonly, "emeritus" is associated with college professors that have retired. Those that have retired are not automatically titled with the term, as these are referred to simply as "retired professors." The title of emeritus, which is honorific, has to be bestowed upon by someone or something of higher or equal rank. They can come and go within the college department as they please. On their own time.

Two noteable cases of an emeritus rank: Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned from the head of the Catholic Church more than a month ago, is now considered a "Pope Emeritus." Pat Summitt, who stepped down from the women's basketball head coaching position at Tennessee last year, is a "Head Coach Emeritus."

However, when referring to a female that has been bestowed the rank, the term "emerita" is often used.

"Emerita" was introduced to me after researching the word "emeritus." I had never heard the word used before in person.

In definition, the term (either masculine or feminine) is of Latin origin which means "having served one's time." And they do not serve any more in official capacity, but is forever remembered.

On my own, I happened to come up with the concept of a "Crush Emerita." I didn't think that phrase existed until I did a Google search of it. Turns out only a couple of internet pages had that very term. This Blog entry will be the third such search result.

"Crush Emeritus" had more search results because, as mentioned, the term "emerita" is not used often. In these cases, such crushes are of celebrities and other people that they have never met. They are still considered crushes, but are no longer looked at as closely. However, they still linger somewhere in their hearts.

Personally, I know of four girls that I consider a "Crush Emerita." I wrote a poem about them in February.

They no longer serve as a real crush to me (three are now married and one was a mutual understanding), but are important to me in many ways.

Hence, I dub thee "Crush Emerita."

I have no crush now. I have had many crushes in the past. But these four are worthy of the title.

Moving on now ...