AMBIVERT ~ WordWayzzz™ 01/01/2023

Who (or What) Will You be this Year?    

Well now, isn't this a revoltin' development?! Only those "of a certain age" will know my vintage television reference, but still, its meaning is obvious. Life happens, and as we know, not always the way we expected, planned, or hoped.
       So here we are, a full month into the New Year, and January’s article is skimpy and late; and February’s is “not yet ready for prime time.”

All we can do is move forward as life allows … New Year, new words to explore! But how do we possibly top December’s expansive vastitude? With a word that exemplifies its broad-based definition in an unusual way … pretend it’s still January 2023 …

Back in the day (don’t ya love it when your oldsters start a conversation with that? LOL), our radios covered a vastitude of cities, counties—and in Wolfman Jack’s expanse of broadcasting, countries—to bring us new music or our favorite music from every era—similar to now, except we had live disc jockeys behind a mic, and you could actually call them! So for January, we celebrate the Radio Disc Jockeys and Announcers who truly defined an …

AMBIVERT ('am-bi-,vǝrt; 1927) n. – a person having characteristics of both extrovert and introvert. [WW #325]

Why apply ambivert to DJs? In the essence of time (I still have a February word to explore), I’m not going to expound MUCH on this month’s word, and really, just by its spelling, you should have deduced it’s the middle ground of extrovert and introvert.
       Radio DJs, in the vastitude of broadcasting, have the best of both social worlds—they can talk to a globe of humanity, yet not be seen by anyone. The quintessential ambivert.

I will, however, treat you with a tie-in to songs of yore, JANUARY 1973 …

Monthly Song of Note ♪ 
Have you ever experienced a psych test or been asked in a job interview, “If you could be an inanimate object, what would you be?” Here’s my response ... “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio.” (Although she didn’t make it to our BFYP Featured Radio Survey [KRIZ/Phoenix], “Radio” was a solid #15 on WCFL/Chicago’s Super CFL Survey (January 27, 1973).
       Joni Mitchell poured her heart out to her honey in the ambivert form of a radio, and dedicated it at the beginning of the song, “To all the DJs in my fans and audience, it’s called, ‘Well honey, you turn me on, I’m a radio ...’” ♪  As a big fan of pioneering Rock & Roll Radio, I know truer words were never spoken …
       ♪  ... If you’re driving into town | With a dark cloud above you |

Dial in the number | Who’s bound to love you ... ♪ Our DJs were there for us through love, rejection, life turbulences and summer fun.
       My Blast from Your Past big bro site is all about radio ... I bring the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s back to life with fun and frolic behind the mic of the DJs who brought music to life for all of us. Enjoy! … 50 Years Ago this Month.   

Word Challenge: AMBIVERT. Ask yourself, are you an extrovert, an introvert, or as you fit ambivert into your month of self-reflecting writings and casual conversations, does it depend on your mood?

February’s word is coming soon … think sparkly fun!

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

Cheers to learning a new word today!
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

WordWayzzz^TM is currently created 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 harmful to your health! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and WordWayzzz comments.

[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-Dzzz   

 

 

Diablerie ~ WordWayzzz™ 10/05/2022

White Magic Makeover

Well ya-all, I finally got this article posted but sometimes life is not simple or easy ... okay, most of the time it isn’t. But here we are! This month of course, we have a spooky Halloween-appropriate word.

I dare say, in view of the recent pandemic, and apparent Pandora’s box of ailments released from an invisible source, it would seem we are reckoning with powerful, dark forces.

The question is, do we accept that power over us, or do we thrust the cloak aside and walk tall through the invisible veil of Halloween month? Our devils may be different, but our fear of losing control is universal. So chomp down on a chocolate pumpkin while we summon the power within to vanquish ...   

DIABLERIE (dē-'ä-blɘ-(,)rē,-'a-blē-; 1751) n. – 1) : black magic : sorcery; 2) -a : a representation in words or pictures of black magic or dealings with the devil; -b : demon lore; 3) mischievous conduct or manner. [WW #322] 

Like all facets of life, there is a fine line between diablerie and wizardry—generally accepted as a definition of “white magic”—it’s a perfectly good word, but it too, can be misconstrued for dark magic, as in the tales of Harry Potter (not him, of course, but some of his classmates were downright diabolically diablerie!). Wizardry just doesn’t quite have the meaningful flair for its definition that
diablerie has for black magic.

Witchcraft doesn’t work, either, as so many witches can conjure up a cauldron full of mischief, and sorcery can be dastardly without even trying. Thesaurus sites suggest theurgy and other off-base definitions that are abjectly boring.

And, although Webster’s dictionary uses “black magic” in its definition of diablerie, none of those words above mention any connection to “white magic.” So ...

Since this is a website about words, let’s have some wordy fun! Put your thinking caps on and send me your best one-word vocabulary concoction that you can brew up for an all-encompassing meaning of “white magic.” (Will also post the contest on Twitter @PenchantForPen in the next couple of days.)

Rules for White Magic Makeover:

-       Make sure it isn’t already a word

-       Nothing vulgar or otherwise offensive to the general public

-       Provide a brief definition that describes its relation to “white magic”

-       One word per person / email address / Twitter account (your information will NOT be used [or sold/shared] for any purpose other than for me to contact you)

-       Deadline: October 31, 2022, at midnight (of course!)

-       Winner will be announced by November 20, 2022

For all those who submit a word by the witching hour on Halloween, you’ll receive a mention in next month’s “Thanksgiving” issue of Penchant for Penning’s WordWayzzz™ blog, and let all our Twitter friends know how creative you are! A list of entrants’ words will be posted on PFP. What will the winner receive?

Welllllll, I have already decided to submit it to Webster’s folks for consideration. Beyond that, I’ll have to let ya know ... I just came up with the idea while researching for this article, so need to give it some proper thought. But I promise it will be fun-on-a-budget. I don’t have much to work with, so simply enjoy the creativity, accomplishment, and “fame.”

We’ve all had our dealing with the devil in one form or other, in ourselves, or in another, but ... remember, for all the diablerie in the world, there is also the angel-light of white magic ...

OCTOBER’s Monthly Song of Note ♪

Of course, “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles, was my #1 choice from Rocktober 1972, but that tune is beguiling the viewers over at the Blast from Your Past site. So, we’re going with “Thunder and Lightning” by Chi (pronounced “Shy”) Coltrane!
      When we think of dark magic, it’s often with the image of lightning sparks flying and ominous thunder rolling ... so click the song link, close your eyes and hear the rumble ... ♪ I tell you it’s frightening | and you’re in control ♪  ... 50 Years Ago this Month   

Word Challenge: DIABLERIE. Think of all the scenarios in your fiction and non-fiction writings where diablerie is the archetypal definition, as you fit it into a spooky month of all shapes and forms of magic writings and casual conversations.

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

Cheers to learning a new word today! 
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

WordWayz™ is currently created 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 harmful to your health! 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 Wayzzz comments.

[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-Dzzz  

 

 

Douceur – Wordplay Ways™ 09/07/2022

Wordplay Ways to Speak to the Sky 

You know, in the late 18^th century, conversations were so much more graceful and flowing. Of course, as a country, we were still settling in and some of our vocabulary was heavily influenced by the florid French.

When you needed to make an apology, you didn’t offer colorful weeds from a meadow and mumble a barely audible “I’m sorry.” No, you likely spoke firmly and held out your hand with a grand swoop and a ...

douceur (dü-'sɘr; 1763) n. – a conciliatory gift. [WW #321]

Pretty fancy word for a gift of eating crow, but when the French say it, it’s so much easier to swallow! Basically, douceur is what you bring someone when you did something stupid and you’re trying to make peace. It’s the “conciliatory” part that truly defines the action.

Words of yore, like douceur, add a certain flair to your vocabulary. If you’re writing a period piece, of course, douceur is a gift of the right sort. It can also work in modern writing though, too, as an accent word to grab your readers’ attention, like a splashy music refrain.

September’s Monthly Song of Note ♪  
Speaking of music, I tend to choose a Song of Note ♪ different from my other two sites, just to be arbitrary ... and I look for a song that can even remotely relate to words. One out of two will

have to do for this month. I’m siding with Blast from Your Past to take a break and “Speak to the Sky.” At least it refers to the spoken word!        In some of our most profound moments we often raise our eyes to the sky and speak ... either a “thank you” as a douceur to the heavens for saving you, or an emphatic “*%#&*” (epithet) of irritation aimed at nothing in particular. Either way, we speak to the sky.
      Is this what Rick Springfield had in mind oh, so many years ago, when it climbed the September 4, 1972, chart at KERN radio, Bakersfield, California? It’s an uplifting tune to remind you we’re not alone and it’s okay to offer a heartfelt douceur, ‘cause you’re not crazy when you speak to the sky ♪ ... and the world will look better from up there ... ♪ 50 Years Ago this Month.

Word Challenge: douceur. Enjoy a time traveling reverie into another era, as you fit douceur into a flowery month of graceful writings and casual conversations.

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

Cheers to learning a new word today! 
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

Wordplay Ways is currently created 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 harmful to your health! 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 Ways comments.

[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