#lawhimsy writing

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Heliotropic

Heliotropic is the property of some plants of turning under the influence of light. Heliotropic is derived from helio- (a combining form meaning “sun”) and -tropic (a combining form with the meanings “turned toward, with an orientation toward”). Heliotropic was first used around 1870-1875. Heliotropic is a word often used in the plant world since many flowers and plants are heliotropic. I think…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Tohubohu

Tohubohu (pronounced to-hoo-bo-hoo) means chaos; disorder; confusion. Tohubohu derives from the Hebrew phrase tōhū wā-bhōhū (without form and void), which is from from tōhū (formlessness, confusion) and bōhū (emptiness). Tohubohu was first used around 1611 or so.  Tohubohu was first used in a  translation of the Bible, specifically in Genesis 1:2. Tohubohu refers to the emptiness and desolation…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Plenilune

Plenilune is a full moon or the time of the full moon. Plenilune is a Middle English word that derives from the Latin plenilunium, which derives from plenus (full) and lunium / luna (moon). Plenilune is a word with a fairly straight forward definition – a full moon. Plenilune is such a poetic word ~ “The night sky, lit up with the plenilune/a world of dreams come yet to come true…” and a very…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Punnet

A punnet is a small container or basket for fruits or vegetables. Punnet is of uncertain origin but is thought to be a diminutive of pun (British dialect word for pound). Punnet is used mostly in Commonwealth countries (though not Canada) and it’s first recorded usage is around 1815 to 1825. Punnets are usually small and light, yet sturdy and are used to protect fragile fruits and veggies that…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Ensorcell

Ensorcell means to bewitch, enchant, or charm. Ensorcell derives from the Middle French ensorceler, which is an alteration of Old French ensorcerer  from en- (in, into, on) and sorcier (sorcerer). Ensorcell was first used around 1535–45. Ensorcell is such a delightful word and it has several off-shoots including ensorcelled, ensorcelling, and ensorcellment. The ensorcellment of those eyes/ your…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Dactylonomy

Dactylonomy means the use of one’s fingers to express numbers. Dactylonomy derives from the Latin dactylo-(finger, toe) – from the Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (finger)- and from the English -nomy (rules, laws, knowledge) – from the Ancient Greek νόμος (law, custom). Dactylonomy is the official word for counting on one’s fingers – something I do all the damn time. Dactylonomy just helps add a visual…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Berceuse

Berceuse (pronounced ber-süz) is a musical composition usually in ⁶/₈ time that resembles a lullaby. Berceuse derives from French bercer (to rock) and ultimately from the Old French bers (cradle). A berceuse is a soothing, gentle refrain often set to a rocking rhythm usually in 6/8 time. Most berceuses are often simple in form, alternating tonic and dominant harmonies, since the intended effect…

[lawhimsy]

Affirmation Mondays 332 ~ Sometimes it's okay if the only thing you did today was breathe...

Affirmation Mondays 332 ~ Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe…

“Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.” ~ Unknown Breathing is just as important as constantly doing… “Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.” Life can feel as though it’s constantly moving – fast, furious, a never-ending race. It’s just doing, doing, doing and when you feel overwhelmed and beyond exhausted, it’s still go, go go. I mean I have…

[lawhimsy]

Affirmation Mondays 351 ~ We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are...

“We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.” ~ Anaïs Nin We see through our eyes at all times… We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.” This quote (which has been attributed to Anaïs Nin and also has been assigned a Talmudic origin) has a certain resonance in my soul. It’s a resonance that can clang about with all of the wild cacophony of a histrionic circus or…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Saturnine

Saturnine is defined of a person or their manner as slow and gloomy or of a person or their features as dark in coloring and moody or mysterious. Saturnine can also be used to describe someone born under or influenced astrologically by the planet Saturn. Saturnine derives from the Latin Saturninus (of Saturn). Saturnine was first used in the 15th century. Saturnine is an excellent descriptive…

[lawhimsy]

Affirmation Mondays 350 ~ She is art. What the fuck do you expect from Her, other than confusion, beauty, and goddamn soul?...

“She is art. What the fuck do you expect from Her, other than confusion, beauty, and goddamn soul?” ~ Unknown We are all art… “She is art. What the fuck do you expect from Her, other than confusion, beauty, and goddamn soul?” What an absolutely divine quote! When I came across these gorgeous words my soul caught fire with a deeply inspired, long-held knowledge. I am art. You are art. Our very…

[lawhimsy]

Affirmation Mondays 349 ~ Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket...

“Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket.” ~ Unknown Native American Time change is truly the bane of my existence… “Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket.” Since as far back as I can remember, time-change…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Suffragette and Suffrage

Suffrage is the right to vote in public, political elections and referendums. Suffragette is a woman who advocates suffrage for women. Suffrage and Suffragette both derive from the Latin suffrāgium (vote or support) with the additional -ette which is an English suffix that designates a feminine role or identity. Suffrage was first used between 1350–1400 while Suffragette was first used between…

[lawhimsy]

Affirmation Mondays 348 ~ I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman...

“I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.” ~ Virginia Woolf How many of the Anonymous contributors to so much throughout history were women… “I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.” Since time began humans have sought out ways to contribute, to be remembered. Yet, how often…

[lawhimsy]

Word Nerd: Melomaniac

Melomaniac is an individual that is inordinately and abnormally affected by musical or other tones in certain ranges of sound. Melomaniac derives from the Ancient Greek melos (song, melody, tune) and manía (madness, compulsion, mad desire). A Melomaniac is someone with an abnormal fondness for music. Melomaniac goes hand-in-hand with the word melomania, which is an excessive passion for…

[lawhimsy]

Affirmation Mondays 347 ~ Sometimes it's okay if the only thing you did today was breathe...

“Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.” ~ Unknown Go easy on yourself, for you are only human… “Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.” The grind culture needs to take a giant step back and take all of the seats because there is not one of us here who needs to be grinding day in and day out. That is impossible for any functional length of time.…