Exiguous – Wordplay Wednesday™ 05/09/18

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini … ♪* 

Ready or not, we’re well on our way to summer. What I have never understood is how a minuscule swath of cloth cut into two pieces and called a swimsuit, can cost more than a shoulder-to-ankle muumuu. Such elitism begs for a ten-dollar description …

EXIGUOUS (eg zigʹyōō ɘs) adj. – scanty, little, small, meager. [WW #163]  

 
There. Now don’t we feel better calling the high-dollar bikini exiguous, rather than just plain skimpy? "Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore ... ♪"

That iconic summer song probably wouldn’t have made it to the lowest rung on the top 100 chart, called “Itsy Bitsy Exiguous Yellow Polkadot Bikini.” But I dare say, the song’s innocent effect on our psyche to accept the risqué snippets of cloth into our ‘60s radically changing mores, would still have happened.  
 
And, you're welcome! If you're reading this article after May 18, 2018, you have a fun, vintage song running endlessly through your mind, like this struggling comic character writer. 😎

Ursula Andress in "Dr. No" bikini

Word Challenge: EXIGUOUS. In a world where it seems everything of worth is big and expansive, remember, many good things come in small packages. Think minimal and delightful, as you fit exiguous into your week of slight but significant 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? Share your comments below, about Wordplay Wednesday or learning in general. What’s your inspiration?

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

'Til next time ... Cheers to a wonderful "wordful" week … 

                       

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

*Brian Hyland is still raking in the dough from this itsy bitsy teenie weenie record, first released in June of 1960. It hit #3 on WEEP/Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s top 40 for week of July 30^th. Perfect record, perfect summer, perfect timing!

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, 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!

E-N-D

Solipsism – Wordplay Wednesday™ 05/02/18

Think Again about the Concept of Alone 

A recent remark by a friend about not wanting to go anywhere, not even to meet with some other authors we know, led me down today’s wordy path. I teased him that he is on his way to becoming a hermit. He replied, “I’m okay with that.”

Later, my little pea brain reviewed our conversation, and I strayed down the yellow brick road, thinking about the philosophy of aloneness. Taken to the extreme …

SOLIPSISM (sälʹip siz’ɘm) n. – 1) the theory that the self can be aware of nothing but its own experiences and states; 2) the theory that nothing exists or is real but the self. [WW #162]

Hmmm, sounds rather narcissistic doesn’t it? Unfortunately, solipsism isn’t any easier to pronounce or understand. Apparently our penchant for self-absorption is complicated, however you express it.

While narcissism is most often considered a negative attribute of extreme egotism, solipsism takes that to a whole new level. Not simply negative snobbery, but to the total exclusion of everyone else.

In reality, solipsism is a fascinating study of the mind. Further explorations of the word go beyond simple definitions to offer a conclusion that no one and nothing exists outside of your mind.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not sure how that might manifest itself, since without others in the world, how could we be aware of their not existing? How’s that for double-speak? Gives a whole new meaning to “Mind Your Own Business.”

Wrap that up with Existentialism and we could retreat to the ‘60s when numerous philosophies nearly drove us crazy. (Some would argue, “nearly”?!)

It is good, however, to explore different philosophies, in order to understand those who certainly exist outside of our minds (and some within). Without learning and exploring, we are not living.

Word Challenge: SOLIPSISM. Explore the philosophies of the world, but choose your beliefs carefully and wisely. Follow your heart and trust your intuition, as you fit solipsism into your week of contemplative 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? Share your comments below, about Wordplay Wednesday or learning in general. What’s your inspiration?

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

'Til next time ... Cheers to a wonderful "wordful" week … 

                      

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

  

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, 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!

E-N-D

 

Susurrant – Wordplay Wednesday™ 04/25/18

Put a Spring in Your Spring Step 

Shhhhh … do you hear it? Open your window; or visit a park. Get comfortable and close your eyes. You just might enjoy the rustle of Spring.

SUSURRANT (sɘ surʹɘnt) adj. – whispering, murmuring, rustling. [n. susurrus; WW #161]

April and May are fine months to sit quietly and listen for the susurrant leaves returning to the trees with a soft flourish.

Some words invite peace to your soul, don’t they? Susurrant, with its sibilant sound, whispers with the wind to stir life back into our former wintry existence.

Take advantage. Awaken your passions and pursue your goals. No time like the present!

Word Challenge: SUSURRANT.  Is it time to revisit that list of New Year’s resolutions? Review. Revise. Recycle. Your list. Your house. Yourself. Create synergy as you fit susurrant into your week of renewed 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? Share your comments below, about Wordplay Wednesday or learning in general. Hope to cyber-meet you!

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

'Til next time ... Cheers to a wonderful "wordful" week … 

                       

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

  

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series, 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!

E-N-D