Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Wye – Wordplay Wednesday™ 9/06/17



Wordplay Wednesday Mind-Warper 

Short on time, so a little rhyme
       something to noodle your brain
Not for long, not like a song
       jus’ proving our language is insane!

WYE (wī) n. – 1) the letter Y; 2) something shaped like Y. [WW #128] 

Why?! Think about it … words that begin with Y, like yellow or yank, are uttered with your mouth like a U; and those that end with Y, sound like E, unless preceded by an A. Huh?

Soooooo, why does the Y begin with a double-U? And why isn’t it just spelled “Wi”? If there is no “sound” that equals a Y, why do we have it at all? 

Don’t ponder too long, it might stick like a song
    we'll never know Y, lest a spell is cast
One that will host, and conjure a ghost 
     of lexicographers past!

A simple reminder that life doesn’t always need to make sense, but we do need to make jolly fun of it once in a while, to maintain our sanity. Close your eyes and count to ten. When you open them, be intent on seeing the humorous absurdity of your surroundings.

Happy Hump Day!

Word Challenge: WYE. Good question … why? Observe the silliness … and even join in! … as you fit wye into your week of inane writings.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

                        


E-N-D

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Solecism – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/30/17



Silly but Not Stupid or Rude 

When time is of the essence
and no words come to you
Sit back, close your eyes
and …  
Think about all the other times words rolled off your tongue and you wish they hadn’t!

There is simply no rhyme or reason.

solecism (sälʹɘ sizʹɘm) n. 1) a violation of the conventional usage, grammar, etc., of a language, as in ungrammatical use of words (Ex.: “We done it” for “We did it”); 2) a violation of good manners, breach of etiquette; 3) a mistake or impropriety. [WW #127] 

Now that you’ve had a break, and maybe a chuckle, or feeling contrite recalling a faux pas, back to work and wake your muse up … the right words will come … unless of course, they’re on the left!

OK, I’m finished. I promise.

Word Challenge: solecism. Good manners seem to have fallen into disrepair in nearly every aspect of our lives—not just in grammar. Has your writing and perhaps even your demeanor, succumbed to “dumbing down”? Think about it as you fit solecism into your week of proper writings.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

                        

E-N-D


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Atelier – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/23/17



A Home for the Creative Mind 

Workshop, loft, chamber, studio … there are several terms to describe a place where a creative person might follow their muse—particularly an artist. But here’s one that arrives by way of those artistic French folks who have a grand reputation for the dramatic …

ATELIER (atʹ’l yā’) n. – a studio or workshop, esp. one used by an artist. [WW #126]  

The English dictionary, however, does not give a full credit definition. Atelier isn’t just a French translation of studio or workshop, it represents a master artist’s method of teaching others, effectively creating his or her legacy, along the way. An effectively communal system to learn and work.

Usually a small, private conservatory, an atelier offers a place to blend academic training with hands-on mentoring in the fine arts, utilizing a core of assistants, students, and apprentices, directed by the master. Works produced are often released under the master’s name.

One such, is The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an impressive history of teaching credentials that include the influence of French Impressionists. 

If the only impressionists’ names you know are Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet (his Impression Sunrise, 1872, pictured), at least you know two of the best!

The French always have had such wonderful flair for making the common seem bodaciously exotic. Or erotic. Or quixotic. Take your pick, and explore your talents!

Word Challenge: ATELIER. Are you a master in your field? Do you want to be? It’s never too late; think about leading or joining an atelier as you fit it into your week of creative writings.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

                        


E-N-D