Penchant for Penning: pick your battles

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Obtrude – Wordplay Wednesday™ 06/12/2019

Pushing Your Words Around

Do you know “intrude” has a fraternal twin?

OBTRUDE (ɘb trōōdʹ, äb-) vt. – 1) to thrust forward, push out, eject; 2) to offer or force (oneself, one’s opinions, etc.) upon others unasked or unwanted [syn. intrude]. [WW #220]

It’s the quiet twin. One of those words that sits in the background, waiting for someone to remember it exists. Obtrude is considered a common word, but apparently not common enough in daily conversation.

You may be more familiar with obtrude’s relative, “obtrusive,” which in addition to pushy, adds conspicuous and garish to its definition repertoire.

“It was absolutely discourteous. With one obtrude shove, she sashayed in front of us up to the door. It was such an obtrusion!” Or … it was so obtrusive! Take your pick.

Try adding it to your casual conversation and count the quizzical looks or uncomfortable silences while your chat-mates struggle to recall its meaning. And how many break down with humility to ask what you said?

Word Challenge: OBTRUDE. While projecting oneself, or a character in a book, consider the intrusive attitude of this word, as you slip obtrude into your week of opinionated prose.

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 (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. 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!]

Note: Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Recalcitrant – Wordplay Wednesday™ 03/20/2019

Apply Sparingly and Choose Your Battles Carefully

There’s a time and place for this word. However, it should come with a warning label: Not to be displayed as a permanent personality trait. It is best exercised sparingly, lest you be forever branded as a difficult person ...

RECALCITRANT (ri kalʹsi trant) adj. – 1) refusing to obey authority, custom, regulation, etc., stubbornly defiant; 2) hard to handle or deal with (n. a recalcitrant person). [WW #208]

Recalcitrant came to me in an early morn dream-state, its four syllables repeating slowly and incessantly through my not-quite-awake brain.

Redhead facts & fun

Redheads are often described as “stubbornly defiant” so I suppose it’s no wonder I applied it to myself while it mulishly pushed me awake.

And Microsoft’s Word dictionary adds a few more rowdy synonyms defining recalcitrant: unruly, intractable, disobedient, and the dreaded, wayward.

However, it’s obvious by the news and plethora of all types of people who push their agenda in recalcitrant obstinacy, that it isn’t “owned” by redheads. We simply personify it.

Word Challenge: RECALCITRANT. As one with a long, recalcitrant history, a word of advice … know when to use it. Lift your head high, and pick your battles for the right reasons (and be reasonable enough to compromise), as you fit recalcitrant into your week of audacious writing.