Wednesday, December 1, 2021

NIMIETY – Wordplay Wednesday™ 12/01/2021

December—Bells Ring for Lots of Things  

Retailers are lovin’ this month. Especially since last year’s Holiday Season was so restricted and people were not only afraid to share the food and libation for the month, but held tight to their dollars as well, waiting for release from personal and retail restrictions.

This year … not so much … which unleashed a buying frenzy for gifts that points to merry retailers and many shoppers experiencing …

NIMIETY (ni-ʹmī-ɘ-tē; ca. 1564) n. – excess [an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits], redundancy [using more (words) than necessary. [WW #312]

Seriously, the word has been around since 1564 or so, and the most respect the dictionary can give it, is point us to two other, more common, words. Then why is it there? Well, since it is, I’m giving it a whole month of respect, in
a month when it’s so easy to shop to
nimiety.

From the Latin, nimietas, meaning too much, this December, we’re so happy to be able to shop again that the tendency for nimiety is strong and growing in every aspect of life. May I offer some advice? Slow down and enjoy this time.

Has the over-achieving character (or you) in your book or article discovered yet that time is more important than anything? If not, try building the story to that end, so someday … hopefully, sooner than later … the lesson is learned before so much time has passed and all the things we’ve collected to nimiety are unimportant.

Time is the great equalizer. Each day has only 24 hours—nobody has any more than anyone else. Everyone, from poets to presidents, fills those hours, one after the other, until they are all filled up. Every single minute is unique, and once gone, can never be regained. (Psychology Today, “Time is More Valuable than Money,” 09/20/09.) 

December’s vintage monthly Song of Note reminds us that it isn’t expensive gifts piled on top of gifts from unchecked nimiety that make us happy. Winters come and they go | And we watch the melting snow Happiness in our time we spend making moments that turn into cherished memories. *“All I Ever Need is You,” Sonny & Cher, #2 on WCFL/Chicago’s “All Hit Music Survey,” ending December 23, 1971   ... 50 Years Ago this Month. 

Let’s savor our (somewhat) restored freedoms, perhaps with a yummy Egg Nog, and fill December days with a nimiety of good deeds and precious memories, rather than a “shop ‘til you drop” pile of unnecessary purchases. (And, nimiety in December can lead to buyer’s remorse in January.)

Word Challenge: NIMIETY. Look toward the New Year with a nimiety of clarity and hope for a forward-moving world together, as you fit nimiety into your week of December writings and casual conversations. Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Wordplay Wednesday is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! 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 1Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. 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.
               
And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz