Tintinnabulation – Wordplay Wednesday™ 09/01/2021

Ring My Bell and Color My World! 

Writing with the senses in mind, is a must for text in order to reach the emotions of the reader. Do you hear what I hear …

TINTINNABULATION (,tin-tɘ-,na-byɘ-ʹlā-shɘn; 1831) n. – 1) the ringing or sounding of bells; 2) a jingling or tinkling sounds as if of bells . [WW #309-M ~ Monthly Edition]

You can ring my bell or “Colour My World,” whichever strikes your fancy. Either piques my interest, but together, they surround our basic senses and demand attention … tintinnabulation tickles the ear and September’s Song of Note creates a sensational visual.

Which is most pleasing … the deep resonance of large bells, or the Tinkerbell twinkle of tiny bells? We each have a preference, as to how we respond to tintinnabulation.

If these articles do nothing, I hope that each word presented here prompts readers to think, feel, or visualize its presence in our language. My intention is to urge you to explore a new way of perceiving and using tintinnabulation and other words you see in these articles. You may be familiar with the word, but learn a creative new way to use it, or I hope to inspire you to add it to your vocabulary.“Her ears perked up at the tintinnabulation coming from around the corner. The familiar chimes quickened her pace …” Did she hurry away or closer? Your choice!

And, what color is your world? For our new “Monthly Song of Note,”* we can sing in shades of love to  James Pankow’s, “Colour My World.” A founding member of the band, Chicago, he wrote it (with the British spelling), as a love song. We unconsciously color our worlds with hues that stimulate us. While blue, pink, and white hearts (for example) invigorate our minds, it’s the red hearts that make our hearts go pitty-pat. Writing is all about striking emotions in the reader.

In this month’s Wordplay, we favor blue bells to add color to the sound of tintinnabulation and we could add one more word to further enhance the bells … what tone are the bells?

As writers, combining senses without overloading them with adjectives, can create a more vivid visual in a reader’s mind ...

“Her ears perked up at the tintinnabulation coming from around the corner. The familiar sound of the soft blue chimes quickened her pace …” Again, did she hurry away or closer? And now you’ve added another element that gives character to the titillating tintinnabulation of the formerly anonymous bells. 

Word Challenge: TINTINNABULATION. Give your writing depth and breadth without congesting it, as you fit tintinnabulation into your week of colorful writings and casual conversations.

*Monthly Song of Note: “Colour My World,” a B-side song by Chicago, climbed the charts all the way to #3 on the KING/Seattle, Washington, survey for September 1971 50 Years Ago this Month.

Wordplay Wednesday is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t harmful to your health! 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 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. 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.
                And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

 

 

SUPEREROGATORY – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/04/2021

Simply Super Marvelous! 

In a world full of fantasy Marvel super-characters and real life first responder superheroes, it’s difficult to imagine “super” as anything but wonderful. Ah, but there apparently is “too much of a good thing” …

SUPEREROGATORY (,sü-pɘr-ʹrä-gɘ-,tȯr-ē; 1593) adj. – 1) observed or performed to an extent not enjoined or required; 2) superfluous [WW #308-M ~ Monthly Edition]

Some music lyrics say the same thing, over, and over, and over … and over. Granted, it may be disguised as chorus, but it’s really a prime example of supererogatory. Yet we still send the song to the top of the charts. That’s when you know, the beat has you hooked, and the lyrics are overlooked. I woke up in love this morning | I woke up in love this morning …  ♪ * Sweet, but I heard you the first time, and when it’s a chorus that repeats also, over and over … (Am I being supererogatory? Heehee.) 

Other examples of this non-super word could easily make their way into your writing … the supererogatory blasting of a horn interrupted her Sunday morning peace… a professor shook his head over the supererogatory school paper submitted with three thousand words, when the assignment was for just one … the audience sat in silence as the speaker droned on in supererogatory bliss… or on a more serious note, how is one to know when a photographer is innocently filming a playground of children, or the time spent seems creepily supererogatory?

Although Microsoft’s synonyms don’t include an antonym selection for supererogatory, think concise and less is more. Fiction or nonfiction, this elongated word may describe a simply annoying instance, or can take on a more sinister vibe. Context is key. 

Remember writers, your words have meaning … unfortunately, like many words, supererogatory may not hold the same connotation for everyone. Know your subject and choose your words wisely.

Word Challenge: SUPEREROGATORY. Give yourself super-writer word powers … as the ol’ saying goes, say what you mean and mean what you say, as you fit supererogatory into your week of various writings and casual conversations.

*Song of the month: “Woke Up in Love this Morning,” by The Partridge Family was climbing the charts and up to #19 at WCFL/Chicago, August 1971 50 Years Ago this Month.

Wordplay Wednesday is currently created for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank you for stopping by! 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 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. 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.
                And please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz