Cacoethes – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/07/2019

It's OK to be a Summer Slacker 

Summertime … and the livin’ is eeeeeeasy. ♪ (Sing it, Janis!) 

Hot and steamy, summer caters to our inner slacker. On the beach, or cooling off in our local pub, we’re certainly leaning towards R&R, with little ambition or …

CACOETHES (kakʹō ēʹthēz’) n. – a hankering (to do something); mania. [WW #228]

The word simply does not roll off the tongue for easy and supple pronunciation, which may obscure its wonderfully visual meaning. When writing, or even in more palpable conversation, cacoethes is straight-up for the first syllable, then wraps itself around your tongue and won’t let go.

What a complicated word for a simple action, don’t you think? Cacoethes may add an elite clinical sound to a Manic Monday* or a busy bee; but trying to spit it out is hardly worth the effort. (Bangles' lament.)

Thinking of its rather varied meanings—from the lighthearted “hankering” to the dark side of “mania”—cacoethes is not a word to use lightly or without purpose.

However, your novel writing might include an educated character who loves to impress, or a psychologist intent on his/her notes, in which case cacoethes is perfect. If you practice its pronunciation to perfection, it’s also a great word to wow your friends with, in casual conversation. If nothing else, they’ll be impressed with your articulation skills.

Word Challenge: CACOETHES. For when you simply must show off your vocabulary, as you slip cacoethes into your week of frenzied 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 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.

Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Syzygy – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/17/2019

Spacey Word for a Spacey Week 

This week’s word is chosen solely for its spacey connection. After all, Saturday, July 20^th is the 50^th anniversary of the US Moon Walk! What a glorious day … then and now … not only for America, but the world.

Do you recall exactly where you were at the time (don’t we all?). I was sweltering through the summer in a Podunk California desert town, with a black-and-white television set blaring throughout the large laundromat.

Some things simply cannot be glorified. Like my life. But still … it was history in the making …

SYZYGY (sizʹɘ jē) n. – 1) a pair of things, esp. a pair of opposites; 2) Astron. a configuration of three celestial bodies, as of the sun, earth, and moon during an eclipse, in an approximately straight line; 3) Gr. & Latin Prosody a measure of two feet, as a dipody / syzygial adj. [WW #225]

With its tongue-twisting spelling, syzygy is unique and not only a divinely odd word with its lack of standard vowels, but each meaning is cleverly unrelated to the others. From a pair, to celestial configuration of three, to a two-foot measurement … syzygy is certainly versatile.

And that’s great news for writers! I glommed on to the sun-earth-moon designation, but the other two have merit, as well; distinctive when applied to both fiction and non-fiction.

Sharon mused, “You know, John and Emily’s rapport personifies syzygy with their opposites-attract relationship.” Or, “The syzygial space between airplane seats is rudely unforgiving.” Let your readers mull over that peculiar sound on their tongue; and venerate you for introducing it to them.

Word Challenge: SYZYGY. Think about its marvelous flexibility as you slip syzygy into your week of triple-threat writing. (Multi-talented: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.)

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.

Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz