[maddog]

Hi I know this may seem a strange question to ask here but here goes.

Alpha & Omega?

I have just about 0 education in both school and religion. So I am not real familiar with these terms. I know that Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last so Im asuming that it can mean the beginning and the end? But these are used for so many different things. Like Alpha Beta and things like that. You know they use it for frats and resteraunts and grocery stores,
for phases of computer programs, for social standings in wolf packs. So anyway Im wondering if anyone with some free time on their hands could educate me in simple terms please.

I feel kinda like a fool asking this here but I wasn't sure who else to ask.

Thank you in advance for any and all replies
Maddog

 

[robmcd]

you basically said it... it's nothing more than the greek alphabet.

it's used extensively in science, when you want to give something a special name. for example, i could call the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter maddog. but instead, i call it p because that's its given name.

there are others you see all the time... for example Rx stands for prescription ... why an R and an x? well- it isn't an R, it's a cap rho (which looks like a P) and it isn't an x, it's a small case chi. so basically Rho chi looks like Px which is a lazy way to write prescription.

here's the entire alphabet:

 

[rkt]

Good question. We can all learn something.

 

[drc]

I'll take a whack at this. My answer could be way off, but hey, that'll just go with the topic, right?

I don't know the history behind the 'Greek traditions' of most college fraternities, but they use letters of the Greek alphabet for their names. I was in the Phi Lambda Sigma frat at NJIT. Don't remember what it stood for. Not entirely sure it stood for anything. You've probably heard of others, Sigma Pi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and so on.

As you've already noted, alpha is the first letter. The first several are: alpha, beta, gamma, delta...

So in software, the first cut at a product is called the alpha release, and usually refers to a buggy build that is tested internally. Beta versions have usually made it past the in house testing group and are then foisted on willing victims, uh, I mean, friendly customers. It can be argued that Microsoft just ships the alpha version then lets the customers debug it for them and then they issue their 'updates'.

God refers to Himself somewhere in the bible as the beginning and the end, "I am the alpha and the omega." I'm a recovering Catholic, and have forgotten most of that stuff.

In wolf packs, elephant herds, lion prides, etc. there's a definite pecking order. The alpha male is just that - the first (or top) male.

Hope this helps, and I hope you don't notice that I made it all up. Whoops. Probably shouldn't have told you that part.

 

[maddog]

Hmmm ok excellent thank you all so much you have made a wiser man today This place is awsome.

I was listening to a song off of Johny Cash's new album and there is a line that says "It's Alpha & Omega's Kingdom Come"
Wich I figured was a biblical term but I got to thinking that those terms are used so often for so many differnt things that it would be good if I had a little background on it. Again thank you.

Maddog

 

[OnePyroTec]

Keeping in the sprit of way off topic, wasn't that a video game palace in the foxhills mall? Also a video game in the early 80's? I was quite good at the sit down version. (or something like that, it has been 20 years)



OPT

 

[Matt R]

After reading the lyrics to the song you are talking about i think the meaning behind Alpha and Omega in this case is more theoretical than the explanations thus far and does relate to religion, more exact, the apocalypse. There is an Alpha and Omega Ministry that practices religion. The name of their group itself associates alpha and omega with religion. The song is about the coming of death, IMO. Here are the lyrics:
The Man Comes Around: Johnny Cash.
Written by John R. Cash.
(© Songs of Cash Music/Bug Music/Bughouse.)
From "American IV: The Man Comes Around", © 2002, Universal.

And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder:
One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see."
And I saw.
And behold, a white horse.

There's a man goin' 'round takin' names.
An' he decides who to free and who to blame.
Everybody won't be treated all the same.
There'll be a golden ladder reaching down.
When the man comes around.

The hairs on your arm will stand up.
At the terror in each sip and in each sup.
For you partake of that last offered cup,
Or disappear into the potter's ground.
When the man comes around.

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers.
One hundred million angels singin'.
Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum.
Voices callin', voices cryin'.
Some are born an' some are dyin'.
It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
The virgins are all trimming their wicks.
The whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom.
Then the father hen will call his chickens home.
The wise men will bow down before the throne.
And at his feet they'll cast their golden crown.
When the man comes around.

Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still.
Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still.
Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still.
Listen to the words long written down,
When the man comes around.

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers.
One hundred million angels singin'.
Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettle drum.
Voices callin', voices cryin'.
Some are born an' some are dyin'.
It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
The virgins are all trimming their wicks.
The whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

In measured hundredweight and penny pound.
When the man comes around.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts,
And I looked and behold: a pale horse.
And his name, that sat on him, was Death.
And Hell follwed with him.

 

[poker]

The song is about wanting a good Havana but only having MiCubanos

 

[robmcd]

The virgins are all trimming their wicks.
The whirlwind is in the thorn tree.
It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.


this is obviously about brandon and phil ...
the virgin a and the prick w

the a to z... the 0 to oo...
the cradle to the grave...


rotflmao

 

[dayplanner]

this is obviously about brandon and phil ...
the virgin a and the prick w

Brandon and Phil?

I think the guys need to be more worried about being around you and your "Caveman Fetish." :r

 

[robmcd]

rotflmao!!! ... good one phil