Today's lesson

Dear Great-Uncle Lou,

Thank you for your email. I've heard it said that you should learn something new everyday. Well, today I was able to learn about the word "amanuensis" because of your note to me.

Amanuensis [ipa: əˌmænjuˈɛnsɪs] is a Latin word adopted in various languages, including English, for certain persons performing a function by hand, either writing down the words of another or performing manual labour. The term is derived from a Latin expression which may be literally translated as "manual labourer".

After giving much thought to this Wikipedia explanation (don't you just love the internet?), I came to the conclusion that you must be talking about Mommy and Daddy. They certainly do a lot of things for me with their hands, like changing diapers, washing laundry, giving me a bath, and so on - not to mention Mommy's labor the day I was born.

So, I just wanted to say "thanks!" You're a good teacher, Great-Uncle Lou!

Love,
Amelia