Taking Flight when not a Butterfly
As anyone over the age of twelve knows,
society is full of all types of people. The kind who are eternally immature and
capricious are often the most exasperating.
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| Fun! PouringMyArtOut |
Conforming isn’t their norm, and some can become needy to their closest companions, for lack of responsible behavior. We either ignore them or want to “fix” them.
Do you know a …
Yep, flibbertigibbet is a real
dictionary word and it isn’t listed as archaic or a colloquialism. It sure is
fun to say!
Our society tends to shun flibbertigibbets,
as not worthy of our time or attention. But who is qualified to judge another’s
innate personality?
I’ve found myself (in my “old age”), more
tolerant of others who never stay in one place long, like a butterfly floating from
flower to flower. There is a difference, however, between flibbertigibbets
who purposely shun society’s trappings to stay one tenuous step ahead of
reality, and one who functions within, but never quite adapts to its
restrictions … the former close their mind and heart … the latter wear their
heart on their sleeve.
For you writers, the word itself is so silly
sounding that it’s likely best for fiction in a lighthearted context. That
isn’t to say it wouldn’t lend itself to a creative description in nonfiction; just
don’t set
yourself up for libel without substantiating evidence that your subject is
truly a flibbertigibbet, as strictly defined.
As Writer’s
Digest reported by intellectual property
attorney Amy Cook, “Quirky people in your life—people who are different and
unusual—are probably the ones you want to write about. Those may be the very
people who don’t want notoriety.” Know
your parameters.
Word Challenge: FLIBBERTIGIBBET. Say it a few times just for fun, as you think about its incongruous
connotation, and fit flibbertigibbet into your week of jocular 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? 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)
[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!]
*Note: 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) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant
for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may
result in legal action.
Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally
visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of
reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own
discretion.
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
