Whiffler – Wordplay Wednesday™ 04/08/2020

Mind Wandering is Good for the Soul 

Sitting down to today’s Wordplay Wednesday work, I was all seriousness and solid focus. This week’s word certainly follows that path … but my impish muse had other ideas as I considered a combative …  

WHIFFLER (hwifʹlɘr) n. – a person who vacillates or shifts position frequently in argument. [WW #263]

So it begs the question … which came first … the Wiffle Ball or the whiffler? LOL Sorry, just couldn’t hold it back. My muse danced with glee when I segued into Wiffle Balls before settling down to work.

Well, we could argue the point that in the hotly contested Wiffle Ball contests (tongue-in-cheek), a player could become a whiffler, as he/she argues with the base umpire … right?

Of course, that would mean taking the game of Wiffle Ball* seriously. “Back in the day,” (it was a ‘60s backyard favorite) my younger brother, Donnie, loved the game and begged me to play. Sometimes I even let him win … or maybe I cheated, as I liked hardball and wasn’t that good at the Wiffle-thing. His memory is all I have of him now, but it’s a good one!

Do you have a fun Wiffle Ball memory? Feel free to share and if appropriate, will post asap. Sometimes it’s good to let your mind wander off a bit for a breath of fresh (sometimes silly) air—just remember to rein it back in before the day gets away. Which reminds me …

Back to the Wordplay whiffler … this type of whiffler takes advantage of confusion in an argument and basically seeks the case that will result in a “win.” It isn’t necessarily a bad thing … depending on the topic of the argument … but it can be annoying to the person trying to refute the whiffler’s original claim.

Victory by chaos? It’s been known to happen. Wonderopolis.org comments, “We get our English word ‘war’ from the High German (‘werran’) and Old English (‘were’) words that mean ‘confusion’ or ‘to confuse.’” And there you have it. Or rather, the whifflers have it.

So writers—can’t you just see a whiffler scenario in your fiction characters—especially spousal arguments; or a nonfiction real-life conflict? We know there are more than a few whifflers in politics, for example.

Word Challenge: WHIFFLER. Think about the nuances of a good—or bad—argument, as you fit whiffler into your week of contentious writings.

* By the way, moms-and-dads-at-home-with-kids … the Wiffle Ball link above takes you to a terrific place for parents to find games of ALL kinds! Board games / card games / classroom games / Holiday games & more! Click here: Game On Family’s official site. And no, I don’t receive compensation for links and mentions I make on any of my sites. I just love to share a good find.

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.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Solipsism – Wordplay Wednesday™ 05/02/18

Think Again about the Concept of Alone 

A recent remark by a friend about not wanting to go anywhere, not even to meet with some other authors we know, led me down today’s wordy path. I teased him that he is on his way to becoming a hermit. He replied, “I’m okay with that.”

Later, my little pea brain reviewed our conversation, and I strayed down the yellow brick road, thinking about the philosophy of aloneness. Taken to the extreme …

SOLIPSISM (sälʹip siz’ɘm) n. – 1) the theory that the self can be aware of nothing but its own experiences and states; 2) the theory that nothing exists or is real but the self. [WW #162]

Hmmm, sounds rather narcissistic doesn’t it? Unfortunately, solipsism isn’t any easier to pronounce or understand. Apparently our penchant for self-absorption is complicated, however you express it.

While narcissism is most often considered a negative attribute of extreme egotism, solipsism takes that to a whole new level. Not simply negative snobbery, but to the total exclusion of everyone else.

In reality, solipsism is a fascinating study of the mind. Further explorations of the word go beyond simple definitions to offer a conclusion that no one and nothing exists outside of your mind.

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not sure how that might manifest itself, since without others in the world, how could we be aware of their not existing? How’s that for double-speak? Gives a whole new meaning to “Mind Your Own Business.”

Wrap that up with Existentialism and we could retreat to the ‘60s when numerous philosophies nearly drove us crazy. (Some would argue, “nearly”?!)

It is good, however, to explore different philosophies, in order to understand those who certainly exist outside of our minds (and some within). Without learning and exploring, we are not living.

Word Challenge: SOLIPSISM. Explore the philosophies of the world, but choose your beliefs carefully and wisely. Follow your heart and trust your intuition, as you fit solipsism into your week of contemplative 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? Share your comments below, about Wordplay Wednesday or learning in general. What’s your inspiration?

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

'Til next time ... Cheers to a wonderful "wordful" week … 

                      

@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, 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-D