Mephitis – Wordplay Wednesday™ 04/17/2019

Well That’s a Pile of Stinky Stuff  

When it comes to words, writers can earn the title of wordsmith with their creative, yet appropriate use of a word’s definition. Give it a shot …

MEPHITIS (mɘ fitʹis) n. – 1) a harmful, bad-smelling vapor from the earth, as the exhalation from decomposing organic matter or poisonous gas from a mine; 2) a bad smell, stench. (adj. mephitic)  [WW #212]

I know mephitis pertains to the earth and a natural emission, or biologic classification applied to living organisms (think skunk), but it also aptly describes my week. Frankly, it stinks.

This post is late due to a frustrating and angering episode with my cute little parked PT Cruiser hit by another vehicle in a freak accident. Ruined my day, likely my week-plus, and totaling the car has been suggested, which of course, means I’ll be short-changed in the whole mephitic deal.

So—I won’t go on and make your week a downer, too; just know that in your writing and conversation, you can pull mephitis out of your vocabulary and use it in terms of the second definition to define body odor, bad day, or other stinky situation!

Word Challenge: MEPHITIS. Hopefully, you will only have reason to apply this word to your writing and not your life, as you fit mephitis into your week of odorous prose.

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 on Wordplay Wednesday!

           

@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 about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday 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!]

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Coriaceous – Wordplay Wednesday™ 04/10/2019

Long on Letters Blessedly Short Definition 

Short on time, I opened the dictionary and asked for a quick and simple word for today’s offering. Voilà!

CORIACEOUS (kōʹrē āʹshɘs) adj. – of or like leather. [WW #211]

Friend Vicki's "Roger the Rubber Plant"

Now, the dictionary definition is rather vague and doesn’t narrow its scope in any way. However, per Wiki,coriaceous is a botanical term applied specifically to plants: “coriaceous – Leathery; stiff and tough, but somewhat flexible.” Of course, the rubber plant comes easily to mind.

The beauty of the English language is that we can take a word like coriaceous out of its original context and send it in a completely different direction with intriguing results. “Weathered and wrinkled, Grandpa Jerry raised a coriaceous hand gently to my cheek.”

Word Challenge: CORIACEOUS. What context, other than plants, can you dream up for this interesting word? Put your muse and imagination to work, as you fit coriaceous into your week of fiction or nonfiction fibrous writing.

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 on Wordplay Wednesday!

           

@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 about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday 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!]

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Fictive – Wordplay Wednesday™ 04/03/2019

I Dare Say … Indubitably!

                                                                                                         

It’s a tough trick as a writer or other creative person to speak and write imaginatively without coming off as pompous or arrogant. This week’s word is especially cool because it is deceptively sophisticated. Short and sweet …

FICTIVE (fikʹtiv) adj. – 1) of fiction or the production of fiction; 2) not real, imaginary, feigned  [WW #210]

 

While relatively common, fictive isn’t seen much in a story of fiction … only as a description of the work. Consider slipping it into a character’s vocabulary, polishing their creatively expressive dialogue.

Even in your own casual conversation, how often do you slip fictive into the chat when discussing your books and other writing? I’d guess never … well, that’s okay, neither have I. So what are you waiting for?

Work fictive into your vocabulary for an inventive touch to your hefty arsenal of factual and fictive lexes.

Word Challenge: FICTIVE. Challenge your creative prowess, as you fit fictive into your week of unreal writing.

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 on Wordplay Wednesday!

      

@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 about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday 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!]

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz