Flibbertigibbet – Wordplay Wednesday™ 01/29/2020

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.

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 …

FLIBBERTIGIBBET (flibʹɘr tē jibʹit) n. – an irresponsible, flighty person. [WW #253*]

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) 

Cheers to learning a new word on Wordplay Wednesday!

@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!]

*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