Penchant for Penning: fiction

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Cacodemon – Boo! Wordplay Wednesday™ 10/07/2020

Playing with Weird Words of Howl-o-ween Month!

Welcome to our 1^st week of 2020’s weirdly wonderful Howl-o-ween words! In the mood to get spooky? We’re here to help …

CACODEMON [or cacodaemon] (kakʹō dēʹmɘn; 1594) n. – an evil spirit: demon. [WW #289]

Ah, this Howl-O-Ween word comes to us from the Ancient Greeks. Which makes it really old. Besides its evil spirit, a cacodemon is believed to count shapeshifting in its spooky repertoire.

As with many words of demonic implications cacodemon is often associated psychologically, with belief in spirit possession, and the host subject labeled insane. Hmmm, define insane.

Particularly appropriate for fiction, cacodemon begins the month of words that may surprise you in the many ways they’ve already been inserted into our lives. Of course, books and TV series abound with cacodemons, and we likely gloss over the word. You may recognize it, but do you truly understand its role? (Image/left: A cacodemon from 1863 Dictionnaire Infernal.)

Remember the death metal bands of the 1980s and ‘90s? “Caco-Daemon” appears in a song title … in its one-word form, it has been shapeshifted through a multitude of video games … and given evil inspiration to abstract artist, Paul Klee, whose interest in art of the mentally ill was reflected in his 1916 work, Cacodemonic. (Image right: Paul Klee's abstract art.)

Whatever your beliefs, October is a great month to explore your writing and create space for the cacodemons of this world, otherworlds and netherworlds, along with all of October’s wonderfully weird words. Horror, Sci-Fi, and fantasy buffs unite!

Word Challenge: CACODEMON. The glory of this word and its shapeshifting capabilities, is you can create its persona in any form, as you fit cacodemon into your week of horrific writings and creepy 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!

Wicked Witch of the West
@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

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Malentendu – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/05/2020

Build Your Vocabulary Not an Arsenal

After last week’s perplexing and potentially sly insult with widdershins, yes, this week we have yet another word for your vocabulary’s oh-so-subtle list of descriptive umbrages. Due to its pronunciation, this week’s word almost sounds like a compliment.

Now mind you, I am not urging you to build your vocabulary as an arsenal for rudeness … unless you’re writing a fictional work and it fits your character’s persona. However, in real life conversation, if the pointy-toe shoe fits … but don’t force it … gently. Ah, oui, oui, mon ami …

MALENTENDU (mȧ län tän düʹ; French) adj. – misunderstood, poorly conceived (n. – a misunderstanding). [WW #280]

Once you master the pronunciation of this transplant from the shores of France, you’ll find malentendu an ideal word to graciously tell someone their idiotic idea, concept, or process is completely B.S. After all, the English think the “language of love” sounds so elegant, right? You will appear cosmopolitan, rather than discourteous.

Using malentendu in some circumstances may temper your temper, and by not exploding with expletives or other vulgar American terms, you are reminded to attract more flies with honey than vinegar. (The flies, of course, are a metaphor for what you want to achieve … otherwise … ewwww.)

Option 1: “Seriously, Ron, you want to move us back to California?! Have you lost your freakin’ mind?! Why in hell do you want to return to a state of political greed and pathetic drive to be first and mistakenly best, that keeps everyone so poor?”

Option 2: “But Ron, while your idea to build a retirement community in California is admirably motivated, its malentendu reasoning needs solid footing. There are many more welcoming and affordable locations. Let’s work together to find a wonderful alternative for the company.”

Word Challenge: MALENTENDU. In your writing, it’s an exceptional word for mundane situations. In conversation, have some fun and try out a French accent; it comes naturally with tongue in cheek, as you fit malentendu into your week of well-managed writings and clever conversations.