Spectacle is one of those words that’s simply fun to say and brings to mind rambunctious antics or unexpected delights. Don’t make a spectacle of yourself, your mother says. So secretly (or not so secretly) you wish to be, in the words of Chambers: a sight, especially one that is impressive, wonderful, ridiculous.
It makes sense then, that eye glasses are also called spectacles. I stopped for ice cream in Grand Marais, MN recently and while I was disappointed to find the shop closed, discovering this envelope exchange taped to the window nearly made up for it.
Ontario Spectacles: Here are your spectacles - Thunder Bay. Thanks a lot for keeping them. Sure could have used an ice cream! Next year!