OTIOSE – Wordplay Wednesday™ 06/02/2021

Frustration to Functionable … Your Choice! 

Some days, you just don’t feel the love of life. Like everything you try ends in frustration. ♪ Hanging around, nothing to do but frown | rainy days and Mondays always get me down … ♪ *

It’s worth the effort to nip that feeling in the bud. Give it a name, take a deep breath and face it head-on. Look for a smile in your day. Nothing is worth more than a few minutes of your time feeling …

OTIOSE (ʹō-shē-,ōs [ʹo-tē-]; 1794) adj. – 1) producing no useful result : futile; 2) being at leisure : idle; 3) lacking use or effect : functionless / adj. – otiosely; n. – otioseness, otiosity. [WW #306-M ~ Monthly Edition]

Applied to people, I dare say, one of the three definitions of otiose fits most of us at least once a week. But only #2 should be allowed over the long haul, wouldn’t you agree? And even with that, too much leisure and you’re at danger of becoming #3.

In writing, however, otiose is a terrific, relatively obscure word to engage your reader’s mind in an instantly recognizable visual scene. In fiction, a character’s whole personality, or a simple day-in-the-life can be described as otiose.

Writing non-fiction, otiose could relate to any manner of overused, under-used, obsolete item or product, or even a service, in review or analysis.

But when it comes to you, transfer your onerous attitude to your writing … Like her presence in class, Lily’s otiose science experiment served no purpose. She soon learned her forte is writing.

Be creative. Uplift your spirits with an intriguing day of writing, allowing only a few otiose moments before launching into refreshed thoughts and infusing action into your story.

Word Challenge: OTIOSE. A fiction character’s personality is the crux of their existence in your story; and sometimes an idle product can be revived. Think of the possibilities, as you fit otiose into your week of exciting writings and casual conversations.

*Song of the month: “Rainy Days & Mondays” put the Carpenters in the top 5 of Rock Radio charts 50 Years Ago this Month.

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  

 

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