Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Words

Hello people! Today is the first Wednesday of June and time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post, created by the one and only Alex Cavanaugh. My insecurity at the moment is about the deadline I've given myself to complete book #3 by August. However, that's not on my mind today...which could be the issue.




I’ve talked about this before. Now, I believe it deserves a post of its own.


As a writer, I know why there are twenty different words to describe afraid, happy, sad, surprised, etc. After all, if there was only one word to describe a feeling or situation most books would end up sounding like a first grade reader. 


Let me turn to my thesaurus…okay, here we go: characterize, define, depict, illustrate, portray, all to describe the word describe….get the picture?

After a day of writing I go back and try out my own narration. That’s the best way for me to see if the sentences flow. Sometimes, when reading out loud, I find myself ending a sentence different from what I’ve written (that’s how I know it doesn’t sound like I talk.) 

Also, this process helps me catch where I have used the same word a couple of times in the same paragraph. Believe me, the way I write, that happens a lot (see paragraph above), mostly because I have to give myself permission to just write and not edit at the same time. If I did, I’d never get past the first paragraph. That’s when I use the thesaurus…such a handy tool for a writer.


But the point of this post is about words themselves. Who comes up with them? Who gave the Oxfords and Websters the thumbs up to say what becomes a word? There are some weird ones out there. 

For example, the other day a friend of mine on Facebook posted this word:

Ultracrepidarianism - Luckily he was kind enough to give the meaning - the habit of giving opinions and advice on matters outside of one’s knowledge or competence.
He also added: “A condition I sometimes suffer from.” (which I found amusing)

Here are a few others:

Tmesisthe sole term in the English language to begin with tm – the insertion of one or more words between the words that make up a compound phrase, as in “what-so-ever” inserted in the middle of “whatever.” (I thought it was a dash…)

Deipnosophista person skilled in the art of dining and dinner-table conversation (a host?)

Mumpsimusa traditional custom or notion that is adhered to although it has been shown to be unreasonable (over-kill?)

Floccinaucinihilipilificationthe action or habit of estimating something as worthless (a snob?)

Presenteeismthe compulsion to spend longer at work than is required or to continue working despite illness (martyr? germ-spreader?)

Spaghettificationthe process by which (in some theories) an object would be stretched and ripped apart by gravitational forces on falling into a black hole (the big oops? – actually thought for sure this word would have something to do with meatsauce)

Spitchcockan eel, split, then grilled or fried (really?)

Triskaidekaphobiaextreme superstition about the number thirteen (paranoid?)

See what I mean? Okay, I’m done, oh, except for this last one. Kerfuffle.

Have any weird words to share? I’ve got more, but I’m gonna stop.
You’re welcome...


 























19 comments:

  1. I like that word "ultracrepidarianism".

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  2. M.R. R. - I know right? Could be used often:) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. This was lots of fun, Terry! One of the things that is fascinating about language today is how rapidly it is evolving and changing. I often give my writing the read aloud test for flow. It helps me work out something that feels awkward. Good luck with your August deadline!

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    1. Thanks Fundy Blue - what fascinates me is how little of the English language we actually use:) Reading aloud definitely works for the awkward-ness!

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  4. Wooooooot!!! AUGUST!! DO IT!!! My favorite new thing for getting word count in is Scrivener's handy, dandy tracker. Do you use Scrivener? If not, we must talk so I can convince you of how awesome it is. It has so many cool functions that organize life for the savvy writer!

    Can't wait to read your next draft, Mamma! August... August... August...

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    1. Jules - I've heard of Scriveners but never looked into it. Think the time is now! We'll have to talk some time soon when baby girl is napping:) Thanks for the comment. Love you bunches:)

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    2. Yes, yes we do!! She sleeps pretty good in the afternoons these days, so we must plan a date!

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  5. August WOW! That's ambitious, but you totally have this. And I love the word kerfuffle. It works for all manner of shenanigans, doesn't it?

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    1. So many words, so little time. I just like the word kerfuffle but can't see it coming out of my mouth for anything correctly. But you're right S. L Hennessy, it works for all manner of shenanigans:)
      Love to you and yours...

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  6. People with presenteeism should be flogged.

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  7. I am a reader (and in awe of writers) but very, very partial to words. Tolkein once said that he thought that the most beautiful words in the English language were 'cellar door'. Taken away from its meaning it is musical, but ...
    I am also fascinated by the words we don't use. No-one is ever described as gruntled. Disgruntled yes, but not its opposite. And how about mittent rain?
    Love the words you gave us in this post. Some new, some familiar (and one of my brothers certainly is guilty of the first.

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    1. Hi there Elephant's Child! - as I stated above, I'm fascinated by the amount of words in the English language we DON'T use! Finding strange words is fun. And I agree about gruntled. Who is ever gruntled?
      As for the first word (ahem...) I know many:)
      Thanks for stopping by...

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  8. Wow. Never heard of those before:)

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    1. Sandra - thanks for stopping by.
      I hadn't either. Funny what one can find when googling "unusual words." The only ones I had ever heard were the first and kerfuffle. The rest...didn't have a clue:) Thanks for stopping by...

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  9. Hi Terry, Pitstopping by to return the 'Thanks for stopping by'.
    Hope you have a pleasant productive evening.
    Hugs

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  10. I thought tmesis is something like "un-bloody-believable"...

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    1. Hi Misha! You're right. It's a word inserted into another just like you said. I was just making a silly comment about the dashes...
      Thanks for stopping by!

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