Two Fools for the Price
of One!
It’s April Fool’s Day!
Many are in favor of skipping pranks, tricks, and
jokes this year, in view of the seriousness of COVID-19. So says a USA
Today article, “In light of the severity of the pandemic, some on
social media called for people to consider skipping pranks altogether this
year, particularly any related to coronavirus.”
I get that, but the majority of us are still
well and sequestered—we need love and levity—and a little frolicking foolishness
to combat boredom and depression.
During our grim global strife, we simply must
make time to laugh. As a wise man once sang, ♪ If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane …♪ (Jimmy Buffett, “Change in Latitudes,
Changes in Attitudes” August 1977)
Staying levelheaded and lighthearted is the only
way we will get through this—together. So here are two Foolplay Wednesday
words for your funny side …
Let’s lighten it up a bit, as some good-natured
virus jokes make the rounds … “Without you my life is as empty as the
supermarket shelf” (I did not make it up—jokes like this one are inevitable) … and
pause for April
Fool’s Day with a tribute to writing with wit …
HARLEQUINADE (härʹli kwi nādʹ) n. – 1) that part of a play or pantomime in which the
Harlequin [comic character] and the clown play leading parts; 2) comic pranks,
lively and mischievous antics, buffoonery. [WW #262]
AND …
TOMFOOLERY (tämʹfōōlʹɘr ē) n. – foolish behavior; silliness; nonsense.
Harlequins are common in medieval
comedies or dramadies, but harlequinade is rarely used in writing about them or the period theatrics. Do some
research, give it some thought and give your modern writing a zany comic edge
with harlequinade.
And tomfoolery is simply an old word you
may not have heard lately, but it’s perfectly silly for today. When work is
done … it’s time for a little tomfoolery!
Get your foolishness on and have some good, clean
fun, in your writing and in your new (hopefully temporary) world order. We all
deserve a little loony levity.
Word Challenge: HARLEQUINADE and TOMFOOLERY. Breathe spirit
into your fiction characters and let the lighter side show of your nonfiction
subjects, as you fit harlequinade and tomfoolery into your week of prankish
and playful 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)
[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by
trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in
her Blast from Your Past series (of
three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT
Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years
1954-1959; and Book
2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic
Seventies!]
*Note: 1) Dictionary
definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes,
we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun!
Think of it as “creative context.” 2) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant
for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may
result in legal action.
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
