SUPEREROGATORY – Wordplay Wednesday™ 08/04/2021

Simply Super Marvelous! 

In a world full of fantasy Marvel super-characters and real life first responder superheroes, it’s difficult to imagine “super” as anything but wonderful. Ah, but there apparently is “too much of a good thing” …

SUPEREROGATORY (,sü-pɘr-ʹrä-gɘ-,tȯr-ē; 1593) adj. – 1) observed or performed to an extent not enjoined or required; 2) superfluous [WW #308-M ~ Monthly Edition]

Some music lyrics say the same thing, over, and over, and over … and over. Granted, it may be disguised as chorus, but it’s really a prime example of supererogatory. Yet we still send the song to the top of the charts. That’s when you know, the beat has you hooked, and the lyrics are overlooked. I woke up in love this morning | I woke up in love this morning …  ♪ * Sweet, but I heard you the first time, and when it’s a chorus that repeats also, over and over … (Am I being supererogatory? Heehee.) 

Other examples of this non-super word could easily make their way into your writing … the supererogatory blasting of a horn interrupted her Sunday morning peace… a professor shook his head over the supererogatory school paper submitted with three thousand words, when the assignment was for just one … the audience sat in silence as the speaker droned on in supererogatory bliss… or on a more serious note, how is one to know when a photographer is innocently filming a playground of children, or the time spent seems creepily supererogatory?

Although Microsoft’s synonyms don’t include an antonym selection for supererogatory, think concise and less is more. Fiction or nonfiction, this elongated word may describe a simply annoying instance, or can take on a more sinister vibe. Context is key. 

Remember writers, your words have meaning … unfortunately, like many words, supererogatory may not hold the same connotation for everyone. Know your subject and choose your words wisely.

Word Challenge: SUPEREROGATORY. Give yourself super-writer word powers … as the ol’ saying goes, say what you mean and mean what you say, as you fit supererogatory into your week of various writings and casual conversations.

*Song of the month: “Woke Up in Love this Morning,” by The Partridge Family was climbing the charts and up to #19 at WCFL/Chicago, August 1971 50 Years Ago this Month.

Wordplay Wednesday 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 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  

 

 

BUMPTIOUS – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/07/2021

Ah, I’m Feeling this Word Today!  

Do you ever feel rambunctious and pretty full of yourself but don’t really care? It’s okay to enjoy life boisterously … to a point. ♪ Mr. Big Stuff | Who do you think you are? ♪*

Just know when it wears on your friends, and you become a little too … 

BUMPTIOUS (ʹbɘm(p)-shɘs; 1803) adj. – presumptuously, obtusely, and often noisily self-assertive: obtrusive | adv. – bumptiously / n. – bumptiousness. [WW #307-M ~ Monthly Edition]

Though relatively common, how long has it been since you’ve seen, heard, or better yet, used, bumptious in writing or conversation? It’s fun to pronounce and a great adjective to slip into many different genres of writing. Bumptious can describe a character, a moment, or an era.

In 1803 we apparently needed a new description for the obnoxious and mildly aggressive folks of the world. Could bumptious have come from a “bumpy” relationship, an overly large “bump in the road,” or a rude person “bumping” his/her way through a crowd? Perhaps all of the above.

Final loads of coal wagons toward end of 2^nd Revolution

Whatever its origin, feel free to use bumptious creatively! Attach it to one person, or a whole nation … take the United States, for instance, a country often reviled for its aggressive attitude. 

In 1803 (along with England) we began moving from the First Industrial Revolution into the Second, now often referred to as the Technical Revolution. Subsequently, we slipped seductively into the Digital Revolution, which we currently call home. And we’re still bumptiously moving forward!

 Word Challenge: BUMPTIOUS. Although its current definition skirts rudeness and irritating, try giving it  an inventive design for a softer, more humorous reference. You might be pleasantly surprised at the result, as you fit bumptious into your week of amusingly aggressive writings and casual conversations.

*Song of the month: “Mr. Big Stuff.” Jean Knight put her guy in his place and placed at #2 on the KQEO/Albuquerque radio chart, 50 Years Ago this Month.

Wordplay Wednesday 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 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