I remember using “esthole” as a writing prompt when you first posted this…I was most inspired 🤩
I recently learned the term “retcon” from watching “Pluribus”…I love words specific to writing ✍🏼 “Retcon is short for retroactive continuity, which is a literary device where new information in a later work changes, contradicts, or recontextualizes what was previously established in a story.” #wordnerd
Ooh, retcon. I would never have fit that definition to the way the word sounds. I'm all, "I’m sorry, but I simply don’t have the bandwidth to retcon right now."
And based on the Pluribus context, is it unintentional or deliberate?
Thanks, Eileen. Love knowing you're out there spreading the good word about estholes.
The main character of Pluribus is a writer and she changes the main character in her fantasy romance books to be a woman, prompting her IRL love interest to ask if she's going to explain in through retcon. Confused? Yeah, me too but I had to look it up.
There are so many reasons that I try to read Chicken Scratch each week... I have told you and I have told many that you have a great gift of words... Honestly, I don't think it's an acquired result of a in depth study of a dictionary ..... It has to be a gift..... So when I read your post each week... the topics and the research impress me and entertain me.... But you word choice is the glue.. Some of your words send me to AI or Google faster than a hungry stomach does to the refrigerator..... So I'm here to say today.... You're a wordsmith.... and I have no words to describe.....
Your comments are always thoughtful and inspiring, Barry. This one...well, gosh. You made my day! Also, I must thank you for taking time to explore words you might not have come across before, in my or anyone else's writing. You are a rare breed and a gift!
Ha! Thanks, Leslie. So, now I have to know: Were they more like a sweet pastry, or a salty slice of bacon? 🥓 Always appreciate sharing breakfast with a friend.
It was more the international flavors--I think I would enjoy living in a culture that has a word like 'Mångata' that visualizes moonshine as a 'moon road.'
Thank you for reading, Jill. For us writers, the words and how they come together are the woodworker's tools, the gymnast's amplitude, and the painter's colors. Appreciate you being part of the experience with me.
Completely enjoyed this, Elizabeth, including the inciting new “bafflegab” word.
(I even mistyped it, and the phone’s autocorrect had it.)
I’ve recently run into the oddity of sanguine, historically related to blood (and often used to describe the color of certain inks), now meaning “peaceful” or “optimistic.” Language is weird. Language shifts are weird. Fascination with the endless multiplicity and nuance of words… makes us who we are. Love the moon road concept and photo!
I’ve been meaning to check out the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows … this was a good nudge. (I saw someone painting all of the words… people have great ideas.)
Ooh, Obscure Sorrows. I just listened to a sample of the book and am newly intrigued. I do wonder about our desire to name everything and the limits therein. Sanguine is a great example, and yes, language is so weird! With a daughter trying to learn Portuguese, I'm more aware then ever of the oddities in American English. From the audio sample: "Words will never do us justice, but we have to try anyway."
I thought we might have talked about the book before. I put it on hold. Not sure I ever looked at it once it was published (vs just a website as it was initially). But I have to say, in the weird way things happen (which we both know), after I commented yesterday, I was moving a few books around on a shelf while waiting on coffee to brew, and ended up with this one in hand, gifted to me at some point, though never read: “The Dord, the Diglot, and an Avocado or Two: The hidden lives and strange origins of common and not-so-common words.” Weird. Yep.
I love this, Elizabeth, but it looks like it's too early in the morning for me to come up with a favorite obscure word. I'm sure I have one, and maybe more. I do love 'doppleganger' and 'rapscallion' and 'whippoorwill' but they're not exactly obscure.
'Bafflegab' is a great word, worthy of repetition, but not so much that it stops surprising and delighting. It's the obscurity that makes words like that special, after all.
Most enjoyable musings, Elizabeth. And how very cool of you to ask various friends and authors to contribute!
"Chotto" reminds me of a guy I worked for once. He was a rare contractor in that he was a true craftsman (he later retired from contracting and became a fine guitar maker), mature, intelligent, long-haired and free-spirited. And kind.
When someone made a suggestion that he didn't necessarily agree with, but he wanted to show respect for the suggestion rather than just shutting it down, his response was always, "That's an option."
Elizabeth, I'd completely forgotten we had that 'conversation' -- still think 'chotto' it is one of the most versatile words in Japanese. There are quite a few others! And while we're on the subject, during a delightful brunch with your dear brother Rob yesterday, Billy explained the MANY and various ways to say thank you. Rob, ever curious, got more language lessons as we three bopped around Tokyo ⛩️ 🥰
So glad to think of Rob there with all of you! I should have asked him to bring me back some words! Thanks for your contributions here, Karen. Always appreciated.
Thanks, Kay! You're so right to choose words according to the situation and recipient. I do love it when I have the wherewithal (or good fortune) to find just the right words in the right moment. I think of it as Mary Poppins magic! ☂
Hey Elizabeth, as someone who loves words, this was right up my street. Mångata is gorgeous, but I’m also rather taken with whichth, a word I genuinely think midlife has been waiting for. 😂
At beyond midlife (though I keep coming across examples of super-seniors who are making me wonder if that will not be true someday), I'm happy to say I hear you loud and clear! Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire. It's wonderful to see you here.
I'm all about reirritate. Well done. Per the final paragraph, that's a tough one. I tend to ask, "What do you think?" which can be a thought-provoker or an epic fail....thanks as always Elizabeth. Off to find the next mangata. ~J
LOL! I can see that soaring or, on occasion, falling hard and flat. Might be another day or two before we can catch the next water-based stairway to heaven, but I'm not sorry to see the rain. Hope you're tucked in with a good book!
I remember using “esthole” as a writing prompt when you first posted this…I was most inspired 🤩
I recently learned the term “retcon” from watching “Pluribus”…I love words specific to writing ✍🏼 “Retcon is short for retroactive continuity, which is a literary device where new information in a later work changes, contradicts, or recontextualizes what was previously established in a story.” #wordnerd
Ooh, retcon. I would never have fit that definition to the way the word sounds. I'm all, "I’m sorry, but I simply don’t have the bandwidth to retcon right now."
And based on the Pluribus context, is it unintentional or deliberate?
Thanks, Eileen. Love knowing you're out there spreading the good word about estholes.
The main character of Pluribus is a writer and she changes the main character in her fantasy romance books to be a woman, prompting her IRL love interest to ask if she's going to explain in through retcon. Confused? Yeah, me too but I had to look it up.
My world is better for it. 😅
There are so many reasons that I try to read Chicken Scratch each week... I have told you and I have told many that you have a great gift of words... Honestly, I don't think it's an acquired result of a in depth study of a dictionary ..... It has to be a gift..... So when I read your post each week... the topics and the research impress me and entertain me.... But you word choice is the glue.. Some of your words send me to AI or Google faster than a hungry stomach does to the refrigerator..... So I'm here to say today.... You're a wordsmith.... and I have no words to describe.....
Your comments are always thoughtful and inspiring, Barry. This one...well, gosh. You made my day! Also, I must thank you for taking time to explore words you might not have come across before, in my or anyone else's writing. You are a rare breed and a gift!
My morning has started with this perfect wordy breakfast treat.
Ha! Thanks, Leslie. So, now I have to know: Were they more like a sweet pastry, or a salty slice of bacon? 🥓 Always appreciate sharing breakfast with a friend.
It was more the international flavors--I think I would enjoy living in a culture that has a word like 'Mångata' that visualizes moonshine as a 'moon road.'
New words in any language are welcome thank you for posting
Thank you for reading, Jill. For us writers, the words and how they come together are the woodworker's tools, the gymnast's amplitude, and the painter's colors. Appreciate you being part of the experience with me.
In the mid 1950s,,, Ithaca NY's main east-west drag,, State Street'
,sported four movie theaters,,, the Far-far,,, the Near-far,,, the Far-near,,, and the Near-near-------
"Nuf said-----------Tra La
This is delightful, Peter! Have to wonder if the person who named them had any Swedish in their blood. Good to see you here. Thanks for chiming in.
Completely enjoyed this, Elizabeth, including the inciting new “bafflegab” word.
(I even mistyped it, and the phone’s autocorrect had it.)
I’ve recently run into the oddity of sanguine, historically related to blood (and often used to describe the color of certain inks), now meaning “peaceful” or “optimistic.” Language is weird. Language shifts are weird. Fascination with the endless multiplicity and nuance of words… makes us who we are. Love the moon road concept and photo!
I’ve been meaning to check out the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows … this was a good nudge. (I saw someone painting all of the words… people have great ideas.)
Ooh, Obscure Sorrows. I just listened to a sample of the book and am newly intrigued. I do wonder about our desire to name everything and the limits therein. Sanguine is a great example, and yes, language is so weird! With a daughter trying to learn Portuguese, I'm more aware then ever of the oddities in American English. From the audio sample: "Words will never do us justice, but we have to try anyway."
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Amy. 💗
I thought we might have talked about the book before. I put it on hold. Not sure I ever looked at it once it was published (vs just a website as it was initially). But I have to say, in the weird way things happen (which we both know), after I commented yesterday, I was moving a few books around on a shelf while waiting on coffee to brew, and ended up with this one in hand, gifted to me at some point, though never read: “The Dord, the Diglot, and an Avocado or Two: The hidden lives and strange origins of common and not-so-common words.” Weird. Yep.
🌠 So cool!
The Dictionary Of Obscure Sorrows has been on my ‘to read’ list for a while!
Love all the comments
Me, too, Jill. The essays may be the seeds, but the comments are the water that helps them grow.
I love this, Elizabeth, but it looks like it's too early in the morning for me to come up with a favorite obscure word. I'm sure I have one, and maybe more. I do love 'doppleganger' and 'rapscallion' and 'whippoorwill' but they're not exactly obscure.
'Bafflegab' is a great word, worthy of repetition, but not so much that it stops surprising and delighting. It's the obscurity that makes words like that special, after all.
Your point about obscurity is a good one, Mona. Now that I've met bafflegab, I think I'll use it where I might have inserted gobbledygook.
Rapscallion is one my husband uses often, though he'll be the first to admit he should probably have been born at least a century before he was. 😅
Thanks for joining the conversation, my friend!
Most enjoyable musings, Elizabeth. And how very cool of you to ask various friends and authors to contribute!
"Chotto" reminds me of a guy I worked for once. He was a rare contractor in that he was a true craftsman (he later retired from contracting and became a fine guitar maker), mature, intelligent, long-haired and free-spirited. And kind.
When someone made a suggestion that he didn't necessarily agree with, but he wanted to show respect for the suggestion rather than just shutting it down, his response was always, "That's an option."
Ooh, I think I'd have enjoyed meeting that fellow, and I may adopt his technique. I have a feeling he wouldn't mind.
Thanks, Don!
Whatever
Suzanne Todd
HAhaha!! I take it this is one of your favorites, Suzanne?
Thanks for reading. ☺️
Elizabeth, I'd completely forgotten we had that 'conversation' -- still think 'chotto' it is one of the most versatile words in Japanese. There are quite a few others! And while we're on the subject, during a delightful brunch with your dear brother Rob yesterday, Billy explained the MANY and various ways to say thank you. Rob, ever curious, got more language lessons as we three bopped around Tokyo ⛩️ 🥰
So glad to think of Rob there with all of you! I should have asked him to bring me back some words! Thanks for your contributions here, Karen. Always appreciated.
Thank you, Elizabeth.
I love playing about with words and learning new ones.
‘Bafflegab’ is great - as are the others you have included here.
My favourite words?
This depends on who is saying them and why!
So what I am feeling is the meaning beyond the usual meaning of the word.
Thanks, Kay! You're so right to choose words according to the situation and recipient. I do love it when I have the wherewithal (or good fortune) to find just the right words in the right moment. I think of it as Mary Poppins magic! ☂
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!☂️
Yes, indeed. Now there’s a good word!
Hey Elizabeth, as someone who loves words, this was right up my street. Mångata is gorgeous, but I’m also rather taken with whichth, a word I genuinely think midlife has been waiting for. 😂
At beyond midlife (though I keep coming across examples of super-seniors who are making me wonder if that will not be true someday), I'm happy to say I hear you loud and clear! Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire. It's wonderful to see you here.
I'm all about reirritate. Well done. Per the final paragraph, that's a tough one. I tend to ask, "What do you think?" which can be a thought-provoker or an epic fail....thanks as always Elizabeth. Off to find the next mangata. ~J
LOL! I can see that soaring or, on occasion, falling hard and flat. Might be another day or two before we can catch the next water-based stairway to heaven, but I'm not sorry to see the rain. Hope you're tucked in with a good book!
Oh, these glorious words! A handful in every language, muttering, "I too am not a bit tame, I too am untranslatable." And they are. 💛🌿
Ah, Whitman. Thank you so much, Elizabeth. This is a beautiful comment.