Douceur – Wordplay Ways™ 09/07/2022

Wordplay Ways to Speak to the Sky 

You know, in the late 18^th century, conversations were so much more graceful and flowing. Of course, as a country, we were still settling in and some of our vocabulary was heavily influenced by the florid French.

When you needed to make an apology, you didn’t offer colorful weeds from a meadow and mumble a barely audible “I’m sorry.” No, you likely spoke firmly and held out your hand with a grand swoop and a ...

douceur (dü-'sɘr; 1763) n. – a conciliatory gift. [WW #321]

Pretty fancy word for a gift of eating crow, but when the French say it, it’s so much easier to swallow! Basically, douceur is what you bring someone when you did something stupid and you’re trying to make peace. It’s the “conciliatory” part that truly defines the action.

Words of yore, like douceur, add a certain flair to your vocabulary. If you’re writing a period piece, of course, douceur is a gift of the right sort. It can also work in modern writing though, too, as an accent word to grab your readers’ attention, like a splashy music refrain.

September’s Monthly Song of Note ♪  
Speaking of music, I tend to choose a Song of Note ♪ different from my other two sites, just to be arbitrary ... and I look for a song that can even remotely relate to words. One out of two will

have to do for this month. I’m siding with Blast from Your Past to take a break and “Speak to the Sky.” At least it refers to the spoken word!        In some of our most profound moments we often raise our eyes to the sky and speak ... either a “thank you” as a douceur to the heavens for saving you, or an emphatic “*%#&*” (epithet) of irritation aimed at nothing in particular. Either way, we speak to the sky.
      Is this what Rick Springfield had in mind oh, so many years ago, when it climbed the September 4, 1972, chart at KERN radio, Bakersfield, California? It’s an uplifting tune to remind you we’re not alone and it’s okay to offer a heartfelt douceur, ‘cause you’re not crazy when you speak to the sky ♪ ... and the world will look better from up there ... ♪ 50 Years Ago this Month.

Word Challenge: douceur. Enjoy a time traveling reverie into another era, as you fit douceur into a flowery month of graceful writings and casual conversations.

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

Cheers to learning a new word today! 
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

Wordplay Ways is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! 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 Ways comments.

[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 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. 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.
           And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

 

 

AFFLATUS – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/03/2022

Waste my Dollars but don’t Waste my Time!

Time waits for no one. A thoughtful observation for an era when time seems to mean nothing, yet individually, time is our most valuable commodity. Others wasting it, can undermine our personal self-worth.

When we waste it ourselves, we often don’t give it a thought. Sometimes, however, our “wasted time” is a mental break we need.

I fight the passage of time with each new month and kick myself for the “important” projects still undone. Until ... I have an aha! moment and find new meaning in the day ...  

AFFLATUS (ɘ-‘flā-tɘs; 1660) n. – a divine imparting of knowledge or power: inspiration. [WW-M #320]

There are times when a little encouragement, afflatus, comes into your day in a spark and a breath of fresh air, to propel you forward, in spite of everything.

Whenever you’re feeling defeated and deflated, our monthly song from the annals of time, is a great afflatus prompt to ...

Monthly Song of Note ♪:  
Hold your head up | hold your head high ... Chris White and Ron Argent of the band, Argent, weren’t wordy, simply reminding you that your time and worth is important, regardless of what

anyone says. Their “Hold Your Head Up” was hitbound on WFIL/Philadelphia’s Top 30 survey at #26, August 7, 1972  ♪. Basically a tune of two stanzas and a short chorus, it was Rod Argent’s keyboard skills that commanded our attention and gave us an afflatus moment. More fun Oldies on the chart ... 50 Years Ago this Month

Word Challenge: AFFLATUS. Whether divine, or a show of inner strength, take a moment in your life and writings to lift your head up, as you fit afflatus into a creative month of inspired writings and casual conversations.

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

Cheers to learning a new word today! 
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

Wordplay Wednesday is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! 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.

[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 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. 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.
               And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz