|
|
Monday, January 28, 2008Luscious LanguageLast night, I learned a new word. Orgulous. Read it. Speak it aloud. Let it roll off your tongue. Orgulous. Orgulous. Delightful, isn't it? Granted, it's archaic. I doubt you'll hear it in conversation. I stumbled upon it while reading the forward to my Easton Press edition of Pride and Prejudice. As a side note, no, I don't normally read forwards. It's just that I'd finished the novel, and, like a lover reluctant to part from her beloved, I didn't want to close the cover for untold months, until the next beck and call of my favorite author's masterpiece. So, in desperation, I turned to the forward, just to have a few more delicious pages to feel beneath my fingers. That's where Lady Catherine de Burgh was aptly described as "orgulous." Readers of Pride and Prejudice -- or, at the very least, viewers of a decent movie rendition of the same (which immediately excludes the 2006 travesty) -- will be able to deduce the meaning of "orgulous." For those without the pleasure of Lady Catherine's acquaintance: orgulous means haughty. Proud. But doesn't "orgulous" say it so much better? Doesn't the very onomatopoeia of the word spell it out with more depth, more flavor? Orrrrrrrrgulous. Why do the best words in our language die away? Orgulous doctors. Orgulous college professors. Orgulous church ladies. Orgulous administrators. Orgulous female senators. I could really start having some fun here. Naturally, I won't dare to use this word in my writing. For one thing, nobody would know what I meant (except you, my dear readers). For another thing, Eric would ridicule me till the proverbial cows came home. No, seriously. He still quotes some of my absolute-worst, edited-out-sentences from previous drafts. In this house, bad writing dies hard. Orgulous of him, don't you think? And that was my treat for the week. Slim pickings, perhaps. But in my book, a nice, juicy, not-oft-heard word goes a long way. Pun sort of intended. Feel free to share your favorite, lip-smacking words! |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
|
13of my readers are feeling chatty:
Well,
I find such comments as female senators being described as orgulous unbelievable. I must beg you not to importune me any longer with such references to orgulous people of any ilk. You are a disgrace. Obstinate, headstrong - you should be ashamed of yourself. This post vexes me. I am quite put out!
Very good, my darling! Especially for one who falls into the LATTER category. ;D
Ummm...
I thought it sounded naughty.
I was thrilled to find "spasmodically" used in a book. It was a term I bandied about in junior high. It was used to describe the motion of the pendulum in "The Pit and the Pendulum" by Edgar Alan Poe.
I completely understand the reluctance to "leave" a good book. And I love learning new words! Thank you, Jill! Orrrgulous... :D
"Mellifluous" has a nice sound and I believe was once voted the prettiest word or which would make it the most mellifluous.
My wonderful high school english teacher eschewed traditional vocabulary lessons and we had a word of the day. Always a fascinating new word. In addition to mellifluous, some I remember:
borborygmy, urbane, eschew, triskadecaphobia, esoteric... of course I'm not sure if my spelling is as good as my vocabularly.
Personally I believe gigundous should be a word, but my husband insists that it is not every time I use it. Even though he understands exactly what it means.
Oh what a wonderfully inspiring post - only to geeks such as ourselves perhaps (mayhaps? LOL!) but I *needed* some brain candy today!
This is a topic I could lucubrate on endlessly! :-D
(I have no idea where I heard that one...)
Oooh, what a great word! Thank you!
Hope all is well.
I have been watching "The Complete Jane Austen" each week on PBS. (Masterpiece Classics) A great way to be spending my "healing time".
I love words so much.
My Daddy used to give me a "word of the day" too.
So much fun!
Borborgymus - tummy noises! :D
I've always like perfunctory, surreptitious, and propinquity. And then, a couple years back, I learned that the archaic word for things found between the pages of a book (love notes, old receipts, etc.) is "snuffle." I don't vouch for the veracity of that one, though I very much like using it anyway.
Oh my goodness...I am dizzy. Who brought the blonde chick from the armpit who is now completely confused? LOL!
I love visiting here. :)
What tremendous fun!
Dave -- it's no shock that you're a Poe fan. Not in the least. ;)
Tarie -- I like the way you said orrrrgulous. LOL
Debbie -- great words! I remember learning the word "mellifluous" in high school, and then going on to completely over-use it in my writing. Gah. I will have to look up "borborygmy."
Kerrie -- lucubrate?! That one's new to me, too!
Dramamama -- I hope you are recuperating well! And I hope Dave is rubbing your feet while you watch the shows. :)
Mrsatroxi -- ah, thank you for the definition!!
Mommy -- SNUFFLE!!! OK, that's totally my favorite. Love it!
Kelly -- LOL! I was wondering how you were doing up in the armpit right now, what with all the primary hullaballoo. Say the word, I'll prepare the guest room for you down here in the Land of Conservatives! ;)
Mrspilkington -- it's SO good to see you! I will write soon.
Don't tempt me Jill!!!
I am a black sheep up here. BAAAAA
Post a Comment
<< Home