Cacography – Wordplay Wednesday™ 11/04/2020

Witch One is Spelled Rite?

Back into the “C’s” we go! Like the demonic word, cacodemon, offered up during October’s Halloween extravaganza, this week’s word has its own literary “bad” moon rising …

CACOGRAPHY (ka-ʹkä-grɘ-fē; 1580) n. –1) bad spelling – compare orthography; 2) bad handwriting – compare calligraphy.  [WW #293]

Now, although my primary word source is Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (series), I often refer to more than one authority for a more comprehensive understanding of a word or term.

Usually, they’re all saying the same thing in a different way. But searching cacography was rather like this sample sentence, “The doctor’s cacography left the nurse squinting, trying to make heads or tails of his medical instructions for the patient.” Like the nurse, you just want to go, “Huh?”

Wikipedia’s definition of this word defied all others by adding a whole different dimension: “Cacography is deliberate comic misspelling, a type of humour similar to malapropism.” Sure, sure, that’s the ticket!

Hmmm, so when you’re chastised for your careless cacography, you can dismiss it by claiming it was meant to be funny. Haha. Uh-huh.

Word Challenge: CACOGRAPHY. While there aren’t as many references to handwriting as there once was, you can aptly apply it to descriptive results from more digital typing than script, as you fit cacography into your week of perfectly formed writings and clever conversations.

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) 

Cheers to learning a new word today!

@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

[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!]

*LR Notes: 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) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

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