Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Eidolon - Boo! – Wordplay Wednesday™ 10/30/2019


Is it Good? Is it Bad? I’m so scared 

We tend to ignore, refuse to believe, or fear, that which we cannot touch or see. Is it good or bad? It all depends …

EIDOLON (ī doʹlɘn) n. – 1) an image without real existence, phantom, apparition; *2) an ideal person or thing (adj. –  eidolic). [WW #240;*Americanism]

Phantom of the OperaPatrick Swayze in Ghost … the Bell Witch … all could arguably be seen (or not) as an eidolon, in its original definition. I’m not quite sure how to take the second description, however. The two aren’t just unrelated, they’re polar opposites!  
Of course, Webster might argue there is no such thing as an “ideal person”—à la apparition—in which case, I would have to agree. Although, “idol” once tentatively served in the eidolon capacity; the dictionary now relegates that definition to obsolete/archaic, keeping idol as an image of a god or other worshipped object of reverence.

For our purpose and weekly fun—after all, it’s Halloween!—we’ll focus on (or try to) that which is not there. The problem comes in when our eyes perceive an eidolon, but our minds are confused by its ethereal existence. Is it or isn’t it real?

From seances to exorcisms, haunted houses to a watery oasis in the desert … how can we trust what we hear
or see? It could be a broad daylight welcome vision, or a famously inky night, wispy clouds floating across a blood-red full moon. Turning to surreptitiously peek over your shoulder, the hackles rise on the back of your neck. You shiver uncontrollably, feeling an ice-cold chill blow across your cheek. What—who—is that shadowy figure gliding behind? You try to run, but your feet don’t get the message. Spinning around again to confront your fear, the eidolon faded into the night.

On Halloween eidolons are often unfriendly, but they can be sociable, insistent and irritating … and some even have a sense of humor. Think Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) in GhostOda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) to Molly (Demi Moore) about Sam, “I don't know you. I don't know Sam but let me tell you what he did to me. He kept me up all night singing ‘I'm Henry the Eighth I Am.’”

Word Challenge: EIDOLON. Will you face your fears this Halloween and slip eidolon into your week of spooky, unearthly writings, with trepidation or a humorous twist?

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) 

Wicked Witch of the West       

[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. 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!]

Note: Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary.
Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Gorgonize – Wordplay Wednesday™ 10/23/2019


Her Stare would Freeze Jello 

‘Tis the Season of the Witch, ya-all. What’s your vision of a witch? Wicked Witch of the West or sparkly Glinda, Good Witch of the North?* Of course, there are male witches too—but Season of the Warlock just doesn’t have the same spooky ring (and wasn’t a cool song by Donovan). (*From Wizard of Oz, the best witchy movie to watch this time of year.)

For some of us, our witchy woman character with the petrifying scowl didn’t come from a movie or Halloween costume. She influenced our childhood as a family or friend alter-ego …

GORGONIZE (gôrʹgɘn īz’) vt. – to petrify or stupefy, as with a look. [WW #239]

1895 by Carlos Schwabe
Any of three Greek mythology sisters with snakes for hair, known as the Gorgons is likely responsible for this mind-freezing word. Did you know Medusa had two sisters? One look from Stheno (sthee-noh), Euryale (yoo-rye-uh-lee) or the famed Medusa, caused such horror that the beholder instantly turned to stone. Gorgonize at its worst.

While the Greeks feared the Gorgon, my pillar of stone happened when my angered mother turned her flashing black eyes on us … trust me, we froze! Of course, never able to stay irritated with us long, she softened quickly. Nevertheless, we felt the gorgonizing tingle of her glare.

Throughout the centuries, witches, warlocks, and sorcerers have shared a reputation for a gorgonizing stare that can stop you in your tracks. Or turn you into a stone pillar. Or fixate on your mind with an image of horror.

Oooooohhhh, lighten up! Are we spooked yet? If gorgonizing doesn’t do it for your inner horror being this week, perhaps next week’s final spooky word will make you quake in your boots—or sandals, or slippers, or—but I digress.

Word Challenge: GORGONIZE. A horrifyingly fun word to slip into your casual Halloween conversation, or gorgonizing week of malevolent writings.

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) 

Wicked Witch of the West       

[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. 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!]

Note: Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary.
Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz