Language is a good thing, I’ll tell you. Well. In most cases. Language is a good thing when its intent and purpose is that of goodness.
Now that I think of it…. I have heard some language that runs in the complete opposite direction lately. Language which contains hatred and malice and rancor.
But back to the light side. The positive side of language is productive, and worthwhile, and stimulating. It can be shared with others for sure. Tonight, we shared great conversations with our oldest grandson. It fills your heart to have those interchanges.
So there is a good, and a bad. But it would not be complete without the ugly. Well… maybe not ugly… so much as…. funny.
Yes our English Language can be funny too. There are some plucky words about us. And wouldn’t you know? I have my favorites.
Here are a few which have crossed my little brain today. I like to use these funny words… when I can. It makes me happy to say them aloud…. for the most part. Sometimes, I use them completely out of context. Just because it is gets a facial reaction from your counterpart. So… a list of some good ones. Spatter them around… at free will.
Cantankerous – This is when we are being testy, or grumpy, or crusty. I don’t care to be around the cantankerous. Especially when it is me.
Lollygag – I’m not so good at this…. It means to move slowly, or to fall behind. I get accused of the opposite when walking to and fro.
Malarkey – Nonsense, balderdash. As you know, I can be full of malarkey.
Hootenanny – an informal gathering with folk music. I don’t get to very many Hootenannies. But I like to say the word… lots of times in a row.
Donnybrook – An melee, a riot. It reminds me of Rebecca and that Sunnybrook Farm. While I don’t like riots… I think a Donnybrook sounds swell.
Namby-pamby – Weak, with no backbone. Polly “Namby-Pamby” Kronenberger. That’s me.
Canoodle – To hug and kiss. Canoodling is good. This is not to be confused with Campbell’s Can of Noodle Soup.
Nincompoop – A foolish person. Polly “Nincompoop” Kronenberger. That’s me.
Gobbledygook – Nonsense, balderdash. I like a big scoop of Gobbledygook. Every chance I get.
Hoosegow – A jail or prison. This word reminds me of my Geese. Two Gooses on the Looses.
Rigmarole – Nonsense, unnecessary complexity.
Yes, once again, it appears that this Nincompoop is up to the same old Rigmarole. Just a bunch of Malarkey. I hope it doesn’t land me in the Hoosegow. Now that might make me Cantankerous.
Signing off, I think. Maybe not. Yes, on second thought…. Oh holy smokes. I am all Namby-pamby once again. So. Here is a Canoodle, and another Canoodle from me.
“Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”
― C.S. Lewis
“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.”
― N.H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society
“Anyone can speak Troll. All you have to do is point and grunt.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire