Make Magic on Wordplay Wednesday™ May 13, 2015

LATE Wordplay Wednesday – sorry ya-all. It’s one of those days when the Universe had its own schedule for me. But I have an earthy word for you that those in geology will likely know …

Many things – and people – are plain or even rough, on the outside; but if you’re patient, and lucky, you just might find one that holds a real, dazzling treasure on the inside.

Such is the life of a VUG (or vugh, vugg): n. cavity or hollow in a rock or lode, often lined with crystals.

A stunted, homely word with a dazzling, magical meaning, wouldn’t you agree? Some of you may be thinking, wait a sec, this sounds like a geode. Ah, the subtleties of nuance.

 

My understanding is the beauty of geodes is found in a more globular shape than the overall vugs. Both however, can hold the sparkling splendor of crystals. Enjoy.

'Til next time ... have a "wordful" week!

 

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

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Wordplay Wednesday™ May 6, 2015 – with a Greek Twist

Do you take a ZARF with your coffee?

While it sounds like the bark of an overly excited dog, unless you hail from the Eastern Mediterranean you may not be clued in to the ZARF's true finger-saving definition.

ZARF: n. small metal holder, used in the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean region, i.e., Greece, Turkey) to hold a cup of hot coffee.

Steeped in ancient history, we’ve often seen ornate metal holders for coffee cups, in formal settings (for tea, as well); but it also applies to the cardboard cone that embraces Styrofoam cups at your local coffee shop.

Now you know what to call the once nameless “thingy” that saves your fingers from burning as you hurry to work with your favorite steaming beverage. So do you enjoy gourmet coffees? You'll LUV Briki Coffee House ...

WORDPLAY WEDNESDAY April 29, 2015 – Mistaken Identity

Welcome to … Wordplay Wednesday™ 

So many words … so little time! After last week’s Obi-Wan word, still thinking futuristic – if only we could zip around the ‘Net and beyond, at warp speed.

While this week’s word might take your mind to a future Jetsonesque dimension where transgalactic zipping is the norm, it actually belongs in a more native, traditional world. 

SULU: [Space buddy of Captain Kirk? Um, no.] – (Fijian, clothes) n. garment similar to a sarong worn by Melanesians, as in the Fiji Islands.

Speaking of Sulu and Captain Kirk conjures images of the upcoming “Star Duel.” You realize don’t you that both Star Trek and Star Wars are releasing movies soon? Have a preference? …

Wordplay Wednesday April 22, 2015 – May the Force be With You

Do you play Words with Friends®? Or still rally ‘round the ol’ Scrabble® board on Saturday night? (It isn’t just for the 39 and Holding Club folks!) How about crossword puzzles?

However you hone your wordsmithing skills, betcha don’t know the definition of half the numerous three- to five-letter words you play that confound and frustrate your opponents. Can’t you just hear their “What the hell is that word?!” bursting through the Internet at you? Here's another ...

Wordplay Wednesday April 15, 2015 - Taxing Pirates

Pirates are in vogue for Wordplay Wednesday™ ** 

Speaking of tax day … when faced with daily irritating life events, occasionally I eschew the R-rated expletive for a more family friendly but equally expressive, form of frustration – one which often garners a deriding chuckle for sounding like a swarthy pirate. 

Yes, I speak of the colorful, “aargh!”

Ha! You say. That isn’t even a word. Au contraire, my lovelies. Much to my wordsmithing surprise, it turned up in a Words With Friends game played by my author-buddy, John Harnish; but WWF had no definition for it (and neither did John, but it gave him a double-word score!). So …