Vizard – Wordplay Wednesday™ 05/05/2021

Timing is Everything … Trust the Timing of #5 

In the past year-plus, we have seen so much unfortunate timing, “wrong place, wrong time.” Still, we are also heartened by many fortuitous experiences of “right place, right time.”

Do you believe in coincidences? I do not. Of course, we weren’t issued a set of instructions at birth, and everyone comes with or develops their own beliefs. Over my lifetime, I have come to consider coincidence a term masquerading for “timing is everything” …

VIZARD (ʹvi-zɘrd; ca. 1555) n. – 1) a mask for disguise or protection; 2) disguise, guise. [WW #305-M ~ Monthly Edition]

Is the vizard you wear in society, both a literal and material sign of the real you?

This very post is a vizard in time. It demonstrates the out-of-the-ordinary way you can disguise one word for another. In this case, vizard is a unique text veneer for coincidence, or “perfect timing.”

Is it coincidence that you’re reading Wordplay Wednesday #305 which just “happens” to fall on 05-05 2021 (and “2+0+2+1=5”)? And I just happen to spot this word in time to use it here, on this day? 

And, what are the odds that vizard is only one letter different from “wizard”? Knowing those superstitious folks back in 1555 (more fives!) who popularized the word … I think not.

If you’re a numerology fan, you’ll know that fives are adventurous and seek to invoke change. Just as we change our personal vizards to match our moods, days with an abundance of fives can initiate societal changes … the camouflage doesn’t go away, it simply evolves.

Have some fun with your writing this month and see how many ways vizard can replace more common references for your masked meanings.

Word Challenge: VIZARD. Can you make a coincidence happen? Some think so, which makes this month’s word a perfect fit for fiction and nonfiction writing, as you fit vizard into your week of coincidental writings and casual conversations. (And save it to use its mask again, for Halloween!)

Wordplay Wednesday is now 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  

 

 

Horologe – Wordplay Wednesday™ 02/13/2019

Timing is Everything 

“Timing is everything” is a phrase I turned into a mantra many years ago. I don’t believe in “chance” or “coincidence” except as another mystery of life that we mere humans are incapable of unraveling.

Have you ever been lookin’ for love in all the wrong places? Maybe it was the right place, but the wrong time. How is it that we unexpectedly meet someone who becomes a lifelong partner or friend, in a place or time we didn’t even know we’d be?

We can plan our lives to the nth degree, but the outcome is based on timing … every time …

HOROLOGE (hôrʹɘ lōjʹ; -läjʹ) n. – a timepiece, clock, hourglass, sundial, etc. [WW #203] 

From the beginning of time … oh, exactly when was that? Well, as with much of our ancient history, we can’t say for sure, but apparently horologes began showing up in earnest around 1380s. Obviously, there were ways of calculating days and time for navigation even earlier, but horologes for convenience took their time.

Oldest working clock Salisbury

The Salisbury Cathedral “faceless” clock in England is generally considered the oldest clock still “ticking,” built in 1386 or earlier. When did we adorn our wrists with horologes? “The earliest known wristwatch was given to Queen Elisabeth I of England already in 1571.” (WhichWatch.org) But … it took until the late 1800s for wristwatches to catch on with the masses.

Prague Astronomical clock c.1389

While we have evidence of measuring time since shadow clocks in 1500 BC (giving way to popular sundials), understanding time is still an elusive secret of the Universe. So we’ve thrown our intellect into creating horologes of infinitely more accurate time measurement, as time marches on. Some are purely functional, while others are infinitely striking in their beauty and intricate craftsmanship.

♪ If I could turn back time ♪* … how many times have you uttered that lament? The best we can do is appreciate its importance in our lives and accept that Timing is Everything … and it doesn’t always go our way. When it doesn’t, remember, This Too Shall Pass. (*Cher 1989)

Will you meet the love of your life this heart-filled Valentine’s week? If you do, be sure to check your horologe the moment it happens. Only time will tell if it will last …

Word Challenge: HOROLOGE. Explore the fascinating field of horology, as you fit horologe into your week of timely writing.

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. 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