Thursday, April 18, 2019

Mephitis – Wordplay Wednesday™ 04/17/2019


Well That’s a Pile of Stinky Stuff  

When it comes to words, writers can earn the title of wordsmith with their creative, yet appropriate use of a word’s definition. Give it a shot …

MEPHITIS (mɘ fitʹis) n. – 1) a harmful, bad-smelling vapor from the earth, as the exhalation from decomposing organic matter or poisonous gas from a mine; 2) a bad smell, stench. (adj. mephitic)  [WW #212]

I know mephitis pertains to the earth and a natural emission, or biologic classification applied to living organisms (think skunk), but it also aptly describes my week. Frankly, it stinks.

This post is late due to a frustrating and angering episode with my cute little parked PT Cruiser hit by another vehicle in a freak accident. Ruined my day, likely my week-plus, and totaling the car has been suggested, which of course, means I’ll be short-changed in the whole mephitic deal.

So—I won’t go on and make your week a downer, too; just know that in your writing and conversation, you can pull mephitis out of your vocabulary and use it in terms of the second definition to define body odor, bad day, or other stinky situation!

Word Challenge: MEPHITIS. Hopefully, you will only have reason to apply this word to your writing and not your life, as you fit mephitis into your week of odorous prose.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

           

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

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