Fanfaronade – 200th Wordplay Wednesday™ 01/23/2019

Welcome to Wordplay’s 200^th Weird & Wondrous Word!

As I pound the keys for Wordplay Wednesday’s TWO HUNDREDTH week, I can’t help but marvel at the advancement of writing through the ages.

25 centuries old tablet image authored by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

From primitive drawings on cave walls to ancient papyrus filled with hieroglyphs, to automatic speech recognition (ASR) software, humans have an innate need to express themselves: “As beer was a very popular beverage in ancient Mesopotamia, many of the earliest records extant have to do with the sale of beer.” Cool.

In my humble opinion, however, computers have all but extinguished our unique individuality in not only what we write, but the artistic flair with which we once wrote. Who pens like John Hancock anymore?! 

The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association reminds us, “Though computers and e-mail [and texting] play an important role in our lives, nothing will ever replace the sincerity and individualism expressed through the handwritten word.”

In that mindset, let’s celebrate and support the art of handwriting, with National Handwriting Day! Today, pull out a tablet or grab a piece of printer paper, and your favorite pen or pencil, and write something. Even if it’s just a grocery list. Give it some flair!

While you write, excuse me for giving myself a pat on the back for bringing you the 200^th Wordplay Wednesday, with much …

FANFARONADE (fanʹfɘ rɘ nādʹ) n. – boasting talk or showy action, bluster.  [WW #200]

Whether you blow your own horn, or trumpet someone else’s good deeds and accolades, make fanfaronade a part of your vocabulary … because everyone deserves an eleven-letter word in their honor, once in a while.

Word Challenge: FANFARONADE. Look around you—does someone in your office, family, or circle of friends merit a little fanfaronade as you work it into your week of celebratory 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 your New Year and 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 (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday 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!

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz

Anyone can write a book ~ What are you waiting for?

Memories and attitude make us uniquely human.

Writing them down is what sets us apart as individuals. ~ LinDee Rochelle

Were you teased as a youngster for writing in your “diary” or keeping a “journal”? Did your little brother break the lock and read it? (Like mine did.) Did you dig out your old ones recently, and think, wow, I had some great ideas … maybe I can update them …?

Writing is often one of those “love / hate” human practices. I truly believe it’s an innate trait in order to love it. While you may be in the class that fairly abhors it, you can make it work to your advantage – and you might find you can tolerate the process to express yourself, if not outright learn to enjoy it.

Those who kept the once-ubiquitous diary or journal have a head start, for sure. But what did we write? Memories and attitudes. 

It was interesting research, reading the various “expert” opinions about any differences between a diary and a journal. 

“When I was a kid” (I know young’uns hate that preface), the perceived (pre-teen) notion of a diary was something giggly girls kept about their inane daily experiences, in gushy, blushing prose. A journal was a scientist’s or other professional’s experimental log or recording of a journey (think Captain Kirk’s Star Trek logs); and young guys simply didn’t write. (You realize, I hope, this is tongue-in-cheek, with a chuckle. But I'm serious about your book.)