Penchant for Penning

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Quidnunc – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/11/18

Baiting Flies with Honey

Been spending too much time on social media lately? How can you tell? When you turn it all off, and you’re still fuming and frowning. Ya know, that isn’t good for the facial lines or the blood pressure.

Sometimes I yell at the computer screen, so I won’t be tempted to post in public what I really think. If you’re tempted to comment on a particularly offensive post, and start with “You big mouth, lying meddler …” STOP! With a wry grin, try this instead … “I have a right to my opinion. Don’t be such a …”

QUIDNUNC (kwidʹnuŋk’) n. – an inquisitive, gossipy person, busybody. [WW #172]

Generally, the wording is much more derogatory than quidnunc, when perusing the idiocy that pervades online. It occurred to me recently while researching, the word “social” should be replaced with ANTIsocial. It’s a better definition for what it has become: “2) against the basic principles of [polite] society, harmful to the welfare of the people generally” …

There are ways to complain, refute and argue without defamation, inflammatory emotion, and truly vile rhetoric, wouldn’t you agree? Want to turn someone to your POV? It’s true … you catch more flies with honey. What you do with them once you have them, is up to you.

Now we have a term that will make us smile as we ponder the preponderance of social panic. Quidnunc is simply fun to say. Of course, that doesn’t fix the social platforms’ bullying … alas, we have unleashed a monster that cannot be tamed.

Sadly, we have smashed to pieces an old, beloved adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Though not completely true, it was a great comeback line.

However small a drop in the bucket, I have severely limited my time perusing the monster’s collective quidnuncs’ hateful, manipulating, abhorrent, and destructive patter. Life’s angst without it is enough.

How much more pleasant our online experiences would be, if we ALL practiced civilities in our criticisms and protests. Much more productive.

Word Challenge: QUIDNUNC. This could be a great word for millennials who tend to eschew everything that went before them. Town gossip and busybodies are so yesterday. Whatever your generation, consider updating your vocabulary with a smile, as you fit quidnunc into your week of alternative 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-Dzzzzzzzz

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Gemmy – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/04/18

Celebrate Freedom in Glitzy Style

Are you ready for a red, white and blue, sparkly kinda word? Parades, picnics, and patriotic party poppers are on tap today, across the country. “America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” Harry S. Truman.

It would be great if our shiny patriotism would last at least through the week. Don’t forget the sparklers…

GEMMY (jemʹē) adj. – 1) set with gems; 2) like a gem, glittering. [WW #171]

While the word makes sense, I never would have thought of actually using it until I stumbled across it in the dictionary. Gemmy has an upscale slang sound; but I quite like it as an adult alternative for “bling”—a word that was never my thing.

No more passé and #TrendOver bling for me—my new “computer glasses” are elegantly gemmy to match July’s Independence Day sparkle and summer month of sunshine glittering off the Pacific Ocean.

So, have you heard about computer glasses? It was new to me when the optometrist suggested them. As much as I don’t think the huge markup of lenses and frames needs a boost, the concept makes sense.

Think about it … you have reading glasses for close work … distance glasses for driving or watching the neighbors … and *bifocals to meld the two. But a computer screen is in-between. Perfect for a classy pair of gemmy computer glasses for the best computer vision.

I’ve found myself donning reading glasses and leaning into the computer screen, or pulling it forward until it’s closer, neither of which is healthy*—still frustrated with the blurriness. Or, squinting at the screen without glasses. (Like I don’t have enough wrinkles.)

When Dr. O. showed me what I could see sitting back from the screen, with computer glasses (which is likely better for our overall health), I squealed with delight, like a kid with her first July 4^th sparkler!

I know, I know—you can have a HUGE monitor—but with many programs and/or sites, details are often distorted and imperfect. Certainly not gemmy when they should be. Or, you could raise the font size of your text or magnify the page size. All somewhat beneficial, but sadly lacking in crisp content, and still not a health improvement.

* Want to know more? Vision Source is very informative and explains different types of computer glasses, even for those who wear bifocals and trifocals. (This is not an endorsement, as I have no personal experience with their services; but their information is solid.)

Word Challenge: GEMMY. Give this week a patriotic boost with or without glasses, as we march to the sound of proud parade bands in gemmy uniforms. Cheers to your *4^th of July* fun! Enjoy! Stay safe, as you fit gemmy into your week of glittering writings.