This week’s
word is fit for a queen! Or king … or irritatingly pretentious person …
GRANDILOQUENCE (gran-ʹdi-lɘ-kwɘn[t]s; 1589) n. – a lofty, extravagantly colorful, pompous, or bombastic style, manner, or quality esp. in language — adj. grandiloquent / adv. grandiloquently. [WW #287]
MAH-velous, dah-ling! … If I do say so myself! Grandiloquence is one of those words that is fun to enunciate, with a spelling that hints at a grandiose definition.
The English language enjoys many similar words of character, some of which are within the grandiloquence definition, or part of its spelling: grandeur, extravagant, eloquence, elaborate, opulence, ostentatious, pretentious … mash ‘em altogether and you get grandiloquence!
Are you parents, still grappling with home schooling? How about organizing a spelling bee? Grandiloquence is a great word for middle-schoolers who are bored with conventional words, or even the ol’ standby, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Spice up your writing, your home schooling, and way of thinking. Auntie Mame exclaimed, flinging her arms wide in grandiloquence, “Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! So c’mon, live!”
And a bonus tip for this week’s Wordplay …
Thursday September 24th is National Punctuation Day! (FYI, the site for this commemorative day is not on a
secure link.) So mind your Ps & Qs! Punctuation
& Quirks* … my literary version of Ps & Qs since there doesn’t seem to be a
definitive explanation! *Quirks in writing … everyone has ‘em, but don’t break
the punctuation rules for your quirkiness without good reason! 
Let’s consider the common comma, for instance … a most misused punctuation mark in writing. Its most popular usage is as a substitute for the word “and”; if you keep that in mind, you’re two steps ahead.
But
there is so much for to the comma. In the grandiloquence definition, for example, its meaning would be skewed if commas were
omitted: “a lofty extravagantly colorful pompous or bombastic style…” The style
is extravagantly colorful? And what’s a colorful pompous? But extremely bogged
down if you loaded it up with an and between each descriptive word.
Word Challenge: GRANDILOQUENCE. What a grand stylistic word! Let your mind create with uninhibited color, as you fit grandiloquence into your week of eloquently extravagant writings and clever conversations.
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 today!
@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!]
*LR Notes: 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) 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.
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
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