Virago – Wordplay Wednesday™ 11/18/2020

 Fine Line Between Obnoxious and Courageous 

Men have often complained that women are so complicated they never know which they’re going to get on any given day … a Pollyanna or a shrew. There’s a word for that …

VIRAGO (vɘ-ʹrä(,)gō; 14c.) n. – 1) a loud overbearing woman : termagant; 2) a woman of great stature, strength, and courage (viraginous). [WW #295]

Any readers thinking they’ve seen this word here before, you’re right! Good memory … Virago was a May 20, 2015 Wordplay feature. And I questioned its definition even back then.

It’s fun sometimes to compare the 2020 dictionary with the 2016 and prior editions … a previous tome did not include the new, #2, more complimentary definition; originally referring only to a woman who is “quarrelsome and shrewish.” So figured it’s high time for an update!

Virago’s revised meaning adds another dimension to strong-willed women while offering an option that suggests a fine line between obnoxious and courageous. We women walk that tightrope every day. Some manage to command admiration while championing an issue; others seen as too demanding, are labeled overbearing (or worse, emotional).

Keep in mind with this word that “great stature” is not necessarily referring to a physical trait. Women with a viraginous nature could include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Hayden Panettiere, Judy Garland, and Dolly Parton—just a few right about five feet tall or shorter, who come to mind.

An interesting facet for your novel’s character or used as an apt adjective for a nonfiction book, virago can express admirable qualities, or on a bad day, an irksome personality.

Word Challenge: VIRAGO. Great word to spice up your vocabulary, as you fit virago into your week of vivid writings and clever conversations.

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 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 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!]

*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. 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.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

 

Fantod(s) – Wordplay Wednesday™ 11/11/2020

Note of acknowledgement and tribute: Anyone who loves puzzles, words, and learning every day, feels the loss this week of a true “gentleman and a scholar.” With the passing of Alex Trebek, longtime host of Jeopardy!, our emotions run deep, yet we’re deeply honored to have had access to his exemplary example of dignity, congeniality and wit, every week. Cheers, Mr. Trebek. 

R.I.P., 2020 Elections 

It’s no secret that after a contentious election, half the country is experiencing depression, frustration, and I dare say, a bad case of the …

FANTOD(s) (ʹfan-,täd; 1839) n. – 1) a. a state of irritability and tension; b. fidgets; 2) an emotional outburst: fit.  [WW #294]

And we put a lot of mental energy into this one, so letting go and accepting results we don’t agree with are particularly despairing.

In our vocabulary for nearly two hundred years, the emotion of the fantods is not new; but I believe our modern society has taken it to the extremes. Sadly, we’ve fanned the flames of irritability and disrespect way beyond reason. Let’s dial it back a bit and give our fantods a dose of kindness.

This week also hails another opportunity to remember and honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our beloved country. (No, not politicians.) Do something special for Veterans Day, November 11^th … another way to dissipate the fantods.

Do you know why we honor them on this day? Says Military.com:

November 11, that honors military veterans, that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including  Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I; major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously observed Armistice Day. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Put your anger to rest, and let it rest in peace. Breathe deep, meditate if you’ve a mind, and channel your fantods into positive action. You’ll feel better for it.  

Word Challenge: FANTOD(s). Stress, which accompanies our temper tantrums also causes dangerous high blood pressure. Think about its causes and effects, as you fit fantod(s) into your week of tranquil writings and clever conversations.

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 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 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!]

*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. 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.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

 

Cacography – Wordplay Wednesday™ 11/04/2020

Witch One is Spelled Rite?

Back into the “C’s” we go! Like the demonic word, cacodemon, offered up during October’s Halloween extravaganza, this week’s word has its own literary “bad” moon rising …

CACOGRAPHY (ka-ʹkä-grɘ-fē; 1580) n. –1) bad spelling – compare orthography; 2) bad handwriting – compare calligraphy.  [WW #293]

Now, although my primary word source is Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (series), I often refer to more than one authority for a more comprehensive understanding of a word or term.

Usually, they’re all saying the same thing in a different way. But searching cacography was rather like this sample sentence, “The doctor’s cacography left the nurse squinting, trying to make heads or tails of his medical instructions for the patient.” Like the nurse, you just want to go, “Huh?”

Wikipedia’s definition of this word defied all others by adding a whole different dimension: “Cacography is deliberate comic misspelling, a type of humour similar to malapropism.” Sure, sure, that’s the ticket!

Hmmm, so when you’re chastised for your careless cacography, you can dismiss it by claiming it was meant to be funny. Haha. Uh-huh.

Word Challenge: CACOGRAPHY. While there aren’t as many references to handwriting as there once was, you can aptly apply it to descriptive results from more digital typing than script, as you fit cacography into your week of perfectly formed writings and clever conversations.

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 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 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!]

*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. 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.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz