Having to look up words in a story

[Bramblethorn]

they're not difficult, they're simply rare in modern texts. The first is, obviously, French and the second originally German. Normal school children these days are not going to encounter these unless they have a penchant for dabbling in older fantasy works - or happen upon an author who uses them.

I first encountered widdershins in Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and I first encounted Neil Gaiman because of Good Omens, and I first encounted Good Omens because of Terry Pratchett, and I first encountered Pterry because the illustrated Colour of Magic somehow appeared in our school Library and I managed to get my grubby paws on it. Had I not encountered that book in that massively unlikely scenario, I'd certainly never have run across the word.

It's a shame "widdershins" isn't used more. So much cooler than "anticlockwise".

 

[onehitwanda]

It's a shame "widdershins" isn't used more. So much cooler than "anticlockwise".

so much cooler and I love the nod to the Fey that it brings with the second meaning of unlucky or counter to common sense. I used it specifically for that reason in "The lost girl of Avignon"

 

[StillStunned]

they're not difficult, they're simply rare in modern texts. The first is, obviously, French and the second originally German. Normal school children these days are not going to encounter these unless they have a penchant for dabbling in older fantasy works - or happen upon an author who uses them.

The big question of course is why they're not used more. I'd expect a word like "widdershins" to be all over the place, given how popular dark fantasy has become in the YA genre lately.

And it's so easy nowadays to look up words that you don't know. Even my Kobo lets you select a word and look up the definition just by touching the screen.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

they're not difficult, they're simply rare in modern texts. The first is, obviously, French and the second originally German. Normal school children these days are not going to encounter these unless they have a penchant for dabbling in older fantasy works - or happen upon an author who uses them.

I first encountered widdershins in Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and I first encounted Neil Gaiman because of Good Omens, and I first encounted Good Omens because of Terry Pratchett, and I first encountered Pterry because the illustrated Colour of Magic somehow appeared in our school Library and I managed to get my grubby paws on it. Had I not encountered that book in that massively unlikely scenario, I'd certainly never have run across the word.

The Librarian clearly left it there just for you.
Ooook.

 

[alohadave]

Extremely allegedly, given that he never married!

Well not after she cheated on him.

 

[alohadave]

It's a shame "widdershins" isn't used more. So much cooler than "anticlockwise".

If you want some really great urban fantasy, Widdershins by Charles de Lint is fantastic. His Newford books are all good, but I really loved this one.

 

[MelissaBaby]

All over northern Maine you'll see handmade signs on the side of the road, advertising "Bush Hogging".

In Isabel (which I am shameless enough to note is one vote behind in the 2022 awards for Best Novel/Novella, with only a few hours left to vote, if anyone wants to take a hint) I made a recurring joke about people not knowing what it means. At one point, Isabel says "“I do not know what it means to get one’s bush hogged, but I am willing to find out."

I thought for sure I'd get at least one reader asking about it, but nope. I still wonder what some of the more imaginative ones thought it meant.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

That was me making fun of myself, hun .

I’m pretty self-aware for an autie.

Em

Clicked the link... Just wanted t share a quick story I think will amuse you. My girlfriend worked in a T-shirt place in college. I was pestering her one day when a lady came in and ordered two shirts. one that read "sesquipedalian," and another that read "eschews obfuscation." Her husband was a lawyer. You can guess which shirt was for whom.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Clicked the link... Just wanted t share a quick story I think will amuse you. My girlfriend worked in a T-shirt place in college. I was pestering her one day when a lady came in and ordered two shirts. one that read "sesquipedalian," and another that read "eschews obfuscation." Her husband was a lawyer. You can guess which shirt was for whom.

That’s really funny

 

[MrPixel]

All over northern Maine you'll see handmade signs on the side of the road, advertising "Bush Hogging".

Same here in rural Flyover. Fun idea, I’d use it, but most of my FMCs tend to be sans cheveux. Useful trope to have a male esthetician they “tender tips” to. Makes for fun ladies chit-chat. Hmm. Might just have a technician listing “Facial Hair Removal” and “Bush Hogging” on his business card.

I’ll use the occasional “twenty dollar word” - now fifty given inflation. But very much in moderation.

 

[dadadadiox]

Personally, I’m delighted when I read a story and the author has used a word I’m unfamiliar with. It’s a chance to learn a new word. But do some people find inaccessible vocab annoying?

Em

I enjoy discovering new words. I don’t have a deep vocabulary. It’s just average. When I read Christopher Hitchens (big fan) I had to have the dictionary handy.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I enjoy discovering new words. I don’t have a deep vocabulary. It’s just average. When I read Christopher Hitchens (big fan) I had to have the dictionary handy.

I think it’s an attitude thing. I love expanding my vocab.

Em

 

[Zootonius]

I really wish we had a spanking emoji as a quick response. Sigh.

Which may be best seeing how one might be tempted to give Em one on a moment's notice.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Clicked the link... Just wanted t share a quick story I think will amuse you. My girlfriend worked in a T-shirt place in college. I was pestering her one day when a lady came in and ordered two shirts. one that read "sesquipedalian," and another that read "eschews obfuscation." Her husband was a lawyer. You can guess which shirt was for whom.

My English teacher Sr year of HS had an "Eschews Obfuscation" poster in her classroom.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I really wish we had a spanking emoji as a quick response. Sigh.

Not sure what that green stuff at the top is meant to be.

Em

 

[Zootonius]

Perhaps not so obscure a word, but a like mellifluous and one of these days I'll find an excuse to slip it into a story. It is itself, a mellifluous word.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Perhaps not so obscure a word, but a like mellifluous and one of these days I'll find an excuse to slip it into a story. It is itself, a mellifluous word.

I’ve been using that and sonorous quite a bit.

Em

 

[Zootonius]

Not sure what that green stuff at the top is meant to be.

Em

That's a 'peachy' question...

 

[onehitwanda]

Not sure what that green stuff at the top is meant to be.

Em

emerald green lace.

 

[MrPixel]

… It is itself, a mellifluous word.

Or even a euphonious one.

 

[StillStunned]

I think it’s an attitude thing. I love expanding my vocab.

Em

It's not difficult. Just write "vocabulary".

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Not sure what that green stuff at the top is meant to be.

Em

That's the bow on my garter belt, silly...
Shelby

 

[samhasstories]

I don't mind when I come across a word I don't know. Always happy to learn new ones. But sometimes the fancy word just isn't the right word and a simpler one will do just fine. I think some writers use big words because they think it makes them look smart. That's annoying. But then again sometimes the fancy word is the right word.

The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning. - Mark Twain

 

[EmilyMiller]

I don't mind when I come across a word I don't know. Always happy to learn new ones. But sometimes the fancy word just isn't the right word and a simpler one will do just fine. I think some writers use big words because they think it makes them look smart. That's annoying. But then again sometimes the fancy word is the right word.

I agree - I think using an obscure word for the hell of it is a bit obnoxious. My problem is that my definition of obscure doesn’t necessarily line up with everyone else’s.

Em

 

[djrip]

Perhaps not so obscure a word, but a like mellifluous and one of these days I'll find an excuse to slip it into a story. It is itself, a mellifluous word.

Wasn't there something about words that describe themselves recently? Oh yeah, autological. But then there's a paradox about if autological is autological, or if heterological is heterological... I don't know, my brain hurts.