Wednesday Word

The Letter

Thomas Wilmer Dewing  (1851–1938)

holograph \HOL-uh-graf, -grahf, HOH-luh-\, adjective:

1. wholly written by the person in whose name it appears: a holograph letter.

noun:
1. a holograph writing, as a deed, will, or letter.

Ex:
“An unexpectedly thoughtful young man," said Chase, straightening the frame of (Queen Victoria's holograph letter. Originally, he had planned to put the Emerson autograph between those of Longfellow and Tennyson but then he had had second thoughts about keeping a valuable letter addressed not so much to him as the Secretary of the Treasury and so, with a sad heart, he handed it over to the Treasure archives...
-- Gore Vidal, Lincoln: A Novel, 1984

Holograph entered English in the 18th century from the Greek holos + graph, meaning "whole written." ~ www.dictionary.com

So, in retrospect, this work of are could have been called The Holograph.  Also, when I write love letters to Hubby, I'm actually writing love holographs.  LOL  Interesting, but it doesn't have quite the same punch as the word letter. 

Wednesday Word

I almost skipped over this word today until I read the last definition...

Scabrous \SKAB-ruhs\, adjective:

1. full of difficulties.
2. having a rough surface because of minute points or projections.
3. indecent or scandalous; risqué; obscene: scabrous books.

Scabrous is related to the common word scab. Both terms come from the Latin word scaber meaning "rough."  via dictionary.com

There's no doubt in my mind that some folks out there would consider the picture above indecent or scandalous, while others would see it as obscene.  I, myself, find it beautiful, touching, artistic and yes, perhaps a touch risqué.  It seems possible that my issue is not so much with the word scabrous (though I'm not crazy about the sound) but the adding of risqué to the definition.  

Here's the definition of risqué...

Daringly close to indelicacy or impropriety; off-color: a risqué story.

 

Indelicate not indecent

Off-color is certainly true

And I would add my own words to this definition - tantalizing, sexy, naughty.

To link risqué with scabrous, devalues the word risqué.

 

More than likely mindset plays a big part in the use of these words.  If someone were to call me or my writing scabrous, I'd feel some offense.  But call me risqué and I'll smile happily for days.

 

Wicked Wednesday...

~Whew~ Do I need some of the heat above!  Warm water, sunshine and wicked kisses all good for beating back the below zero weather in my neck of the woods.  ;)


Word of the Day

word-hoard \WURD-hawrd\, noun:

A person's vocabulary.
 ~dictionary.com

~Hmm, do you have a large or small word-hoard?~

Wednesday Word of the Day...

 Amygdaliform \uh-MIG-duh-luh-fawrm\, adjective:

Shaped like an almond.

~What a huh?  Seems like it would be easier to just say "hey, you're shaped like and almond."  Then duck out of the way of a fist!~

Amygdaliform derives from the Greek amygdale, "almond." -form is the common suffix denoting "in the shape of." A portion of the human brain is known as the amygdala, named for its resemblance to almonds.  ~dictionary.com

Also, a quick Happy Birthday Holler to my wonderful hubby...you're looking sexier than ever, my love!