"Mundanity?"

[slyc_willie]

So, I'm writing my fantasy novel, and an exchange occurs between my protagonist and a seer of sorts. She describes my main character as being "conceived in fantasy and birthed in mundanity."

Now, in checking various online sources, I find that the term "mundanity" is only referenced by the Free Online Dictionary. It's not in Miriam-Webster, nor is it in Oxford. So, apparently, it's not really a word.

But it fits in the context of the story. It makes sense to me. There is a clear reference to what it means based on the way it is used. I'm going to keep it, even though I expect at least one sharp-eyed reader will point out that I need to go back to grammar school and learn what "real" words are.

Throughout the convoluted evolution of the modern English language, there have been numerous words which have been invented by authors. I believe Shakespeare invented either suspicion or suspect, not sure which. More recently, modern slang terms have made their ways into various dictionary databases. Eventually, they will probably be given "official" status. "Eloquate" comes to mind. It's not really a word, but to me, it conveys a certain meaning. It tells me that a speaker is trying to intelligently describe something.

However, while I may use mundanity or eloquate, I would not use terms such as "conversate," because doing so belies a sense of ignorance regarding the root of "conversation." We don't conversate, we converse. There is already a word in place there.

So, what "unofficial" words do you use? More to the point, should we even use incorrect variations, or slang terms (except in context)?

 

[Handley_Page]

She describes my main character as being "conceived in fantasy and birthed in mundanity."

I'd suggest:

She describes my main character as being "conceived in fantasy and birthed in the mundane."

 

[slyc_willie]

She describes my main character as being "conceived in fantasy and birthed in mundanity."

I'd suggest:

She describes my main character as being "conceived in fantasy and birthed in the mundane."

*sigh*

I think you are missing the point.

 

[Handley_Page]

*sigh*

I think you are missing the point.

Oh Dear. Sorry.

 

[sr71plt]

Yes, it is in Websters (under "mundane" as the noun form).

 

[xelliebabex]

*sigh*

I think you are missing the point.

I got your point slyc and I often make up my own words to fit the moment, not that any come immediately to mind. I have got used to the little red line under words in MSWord but i do try to correct most of them. Admittedly most of mine are in speech and they come along with my accent and Strine (Australian English), having said that of it sounds right to you it shouldn't be jarring and lack understanding by any but the most anal of grammar police. Though I am constantly surprised by teh things people pick up when i have gone to a lot of trouble in editing. I have given up trying to please everyone, not even with good editors can i please everyone.

I would have thought by now Breathalizer would have been added to dictionaries. Its not but i still use it even though i didn't make it up.

and in Australia people are always gonna do stuff, shoulda done stuff and coulda remembered stuff. People get the meanings I assume but i still get spelling hints after using them in dialogue.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I like the idea.

in fact there are plenty of words that are legit but clumsy and awkward, that need to be replaced.

 

[lovecraft68]

I think if you have a character say it, you can get a pass.

In real life-and you want your dialogue to sound like real life- people make up words and butcher the language all the time.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I think if you have a character say it, you can get a pass.

In real life-and you want your dialogue to sound like real life- people make up words and butcher the language all the time.

There are people who invent words to try and impress their betters. I grew up with a guy who did it. He had a genius for inventing new words. And I don't mean to discount the talent.

 

[ishtat]

Ws

There are people who invent words to try and impress their betters. I grew up with a guy who did it. He had a genius for inventing new words. And I don't mean to discount the talent.

William Shakespeare is generally reckoned to have invented and introduced in excess of 2,000 new words to the language - and he had a bit of talent.

 

[patientlee]

So, I'm writing my fantasy novel, and an exchange occurs between my protagonist and a seer of sorts. She describes my main character as being "conceived in fantasy and birthed in mundanity."

Now, in checking various online sources, I find that the term "mundanity" is only referenced by the Free Online Dictionary. It's not in Miriam-Webster, nor is it in Oxford. So, apparently, it's not really a word.

But it fits in the context of the story. It makes sense to me. There is a clear reference to what it means based on the way it is used. I'm going to keep it, even though I expect at least one sharp-eyed reader will point out that I need to go back to grammar school and learn what "real" words are.

Throughout the convoluted evolution of the modern English language, there have been numerous words which have been invented by authors. I believe Shakespeare invented either suspicion or suspect, not sure which. More recently, modern slang terms have made their ways into various dictionary databases. Eventually, they will probably be given "official" status. "Eloquate" comes to mind. It's not really a word, but to me, it conveys a certain meaning. It tells me that a speaker is trying to intelligently describe something.

However, while I may use mundanity or eloquate, I would not use terms such as "conversate," because doing so belies a sense of ignorance regarding the root of "conversation." We don't conversate, we converse. There is already a word in place there.

So, what "unofficial" words do you use? More to the point, should we even use incorrect variations, or slang terms (except in context)?

I am a word maker-upper, so I LOVE it when other people do it. Sometimes I even make up the root. "Lavate"- to use the lavatory. From the Latin "lavatare". Haven't used it in a story though because the footnote would be a pain in the ass.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I am a word maker-upper, so I LOVE it when other people do it. Sometimes I even make up the root. "Lavate"- to use the lavatory. From the Latin "lavatare". Haven't used it in a story though because the footnote would be a pain in the ass.

The average McLIT reader is lost at sea with any poly-syllabic word. Ditto McLIT authors.

 

[slyc_willie]

Yes, it is in Websters (under "mundane" as the noun form).

Hmm. When I checked the various online sources (not having a physical dictionary), it only popped up on FreeOnlineDictionary.com.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Hmm. When I checked the various online sources (not having a physical dictionary), it only popped up on FreeOnlineDictionary.com.

You have the talent and that's what counts. Feynman usta say that he hatched all kinds of nifty ideas only to learn that Newton or someone beat him to it, but with time more and more of his ideas were novel.

 

[slyc_willie]

I got your point slyc and I often make up my own words to fit the moment, not that any come immediately to mind. I have got used to the little red line under words in MSWord but i do try to correct most of them. Admittedly most of mine are in speech and they come along with my accent and Strine (Australian English), having said that of it sounds right to you it shouldn't be jarring and lack understanding by any but the most anal of grammar police. Though I am constantly surprised by teh things people pick up when i have gone to a lot of trouble in editing. I have given up trying to please everyone, not even with good editors can i please everyone.

I would have thought by now Breathalizer would have been added to dictionaries. Its not but i still use it even though i didn't make it up.

and in Australia people are always gonna do stuff, shoulda done stuff and coulda remembered stuff. People get the meanings I assume but i still get spelling hints after using them in dialogue.

One of the beautiful things about the English language is that a lot of people can't tell when a word is legitimate or not.

I like the idea.

in fact there are plenty of words that are legit but clumsy and awkward, that need to be replaced.

I've found this as well. There are times when I am looking for the right word to put into a sentence and I check my thesaurus or an online service, and the suggestions are sometimes for words that I didn't think were actual words.

I am a word maker-upper, so I LOVE it when other people do it. Sometimes I even make up the root. "Lavate"- to use the lavatory. From the Latin "lavatare". Haven't used it in a story though because the footnote would be a pain in the ass.

No pun intended, right?

"Lavate" sounds like an interesting term. Doubt I would find a reason to use it myself, though.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

One of the beautiful things about the English language is that a lot of people can't tell when a word is legitimate or not.



I've found this as well. There are times when I am looking for the right word to put into a sentence and I check my thesaurus or an online service, and the suggestions are sometimes for words that I didn't think were actual words.



No pun intended, right?

"Lavate" sounds like an interesting term. Doubt I would find a reason to use it myself, though.

So lets conspire to change the definitions of great words, to use in place of shit words.


I'll begin: From now on aether is a fabric so thin its substance is almost gaseous. HER NIGHTIE WAS AETHEREAL.

Drat someone beat me to it.

 

[sr71plt]

The issue isn't whether or not "mundanity" is a word or if it can be used as a made-up word. It is a word. So using it as a made-up word is irrelevant. There even are multiple dictionary listings of it online (keyword "mundanity"), including Mirriam-Webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mundane).

HP brought up the more important point all the way at the beginning of the thread: should it be used rather than the more common "the mundane"?

Depends. Do you want a lot of the readers stopping and contemplating that word or does the word itself not have enough meaning to the plotline for the reader to stop and consider whether it is a word and what it means rather than read right through it because it isn't all the important to the story?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The issue isn't whether or not "mundanity" is a word or if it can be used as a made-up word. It is a word. So using it as a made-up word is irrelevant. There even are multiple dictionary listings of it online (keyword "mundanity"), including Mirriam-Webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mundane).

HP brought up the more important point all the way at the beginning of the thread: should it be used rather than the more common "the mundane"?

Depends. Do you want a lot of the readers stopping and contemplating that word or does the word itself not have enough meaning to the plotline for the reader to stop and consider whether it is a word and what it means rather than read right through it because it isn't all the important to the story?

I suspect that a very few people look up definitions, people like you, but I also suspect that the rest either embrace the word and define it themselves or the word jars them like a hole in the road, and they frown and keep going.

 

[sr71plt]

Iand they frown and keep going.

Actually that they stumble for a bit, being thrown out of the flow of the story, before going on. That's what the bain in this is to the storyteller.

 

[patientlee]

One of the beautiful things about the English language is that a lot of people can't tell when a word is legitimate or not.



I've found this as well. There are times when I am looking for the right word to put into a sentence and I check my thesaurus or an online service, and the suggestions are sometimes for words that I didn't think were actual words.



No pun intended, right?

"Lavate" sounds like an interesting term. Doubt I would find a reason to use it myself, though.

Schools in our area call the rest room "the lav". It took me a long time to get used to it.

One of the advantages to speaking 3 languages is the word play. I'm usually the only one laughing though.

Pun definitely intended. I have a little "thing" for PITA.

 

[glynndah]

Actually that they stumble for a bit, being thrown out of the flow of the story, before going on. That's what the bain in this is to the storyteller.

Bane?

 

[tolyk]

Bane?

We will destroy Gotham and then, when it is done and Gotham is ashes, then you have my permission to die

 

[sr71plt]

Bane?

Yep, thanks.

 

[glynndah]

We will destroy Gotham and then, when it is done and Gotham is ashes, then you have my permission to die

I think you have the wrong witch, sweetie.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Characters can definitely get away with saying things that are not proper English while the narrator speaks grammatically correct English.

Whether or not it is the best word for this line of your story is something only the author, and possibly his or her editor later on, can or should answer.

I'm coming to the conclusion that I should not show a story to my writer's group until I am totally done with it to my satisfaction and then let them nit pick and point out mistakes.