The other night I was reading Hans Christian Andersen's classic "The Emperors New Clothes" with 6 year old Bradley.  Bradley cracked up that the king was walking around naked.  I was reminded about how no one wants to be thought of as ignorant or not fit for their job, so they will say and do things that they think other people want to hear.  It is a great, timeless story.  Today, I had my own emperors new clothes experience.

For the past several days I have been writing about this whole Barracuda-Trend Micro affair.  In several articles I used the word Calvary. I was talking about the soldiers riding in on the horses.  Every time I wrote it though I kept getting visions of a cemetery out on Long Island.  Finally, someone had the gumption to write me today and tell me that I meant cavalry, not Calvary.  Well I certainly felt like the emperor with no clothes!

I apologize for my butchery of the English language.  I am also grateful to Jack Walsh for pointing out my error. To the rest of you I ask:  (fixed after the fact) Were you not reading? Were you afraid to be wrong, so didn't want to say anything?  Did you not realize that this was wrong? Or perhaps you just took silent satisfaction in seeing me mess up?  In any event below are the definitions of the two words. I was right Calvary is the place where the crucifixion took place and there is a cemetery in Long Island by the same name.


Cal·va·ry /ˈkælvəri/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kal-vuh-ree] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ries for 2, 3.
1. Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified. Luke 23:33.
2. (often lowercase) a sculptured representation of the Crucifixion, usually erected in the open air.
3. (lowercase) an experience or occasion of extreme suffering, esp. mental suffering.

cav·al·ry   /ˈkævəlri/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kav-uhl-ree] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun, plural -ries.