The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out |
Last week I gave everyone a hint about my THEME this year.
Here it is:
I’m long and short and carry loads far bigger than most things my size.
I twist tongues, delight people who see me, and reveal so much about the inner life.
When I’m in good company I’m exciting, but when I’m not, I soon lose my sparkle.
I have a very large family and a long history.
What am I?
ANS: Words . . . and here’s my first word of the month.
Avuncular
|
This has a wonderful sound that kind of pats you on the head. That’s exactly what you want the reader to feel–a pat on the head–a kindly uncle you can rely on for his understanding.
My agent excuses my writing sins with an avuncular, “Writers will be writers.” Thanks agent with a heart.
Now you know where the word “uncle” comes from!
What’s an A word you like to feel on your tongue and use in your prose? Oh, and if you’ve got a moment this week, hope you’ll click onto my link (see right margin) and enter to win a signed copy of one of my books. I’m doing some spring cleaning!
*Brought to you by:
We also have a Facebook page, email address [email protected], and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge. Join in.
Betty Alark says
Bodacious – good one! Words are always interesting and couldn't hurt to add a few more to my vocabulary!
Enjoy the challenge! I'll have to stop back and increase my vocab.
Laura Eno says
I love the word bodacious! Of course, it has nothing to do with frog eaters, but it's still a cool word and a bit more useable. π
DMS says
Thank you! The riddle was driving me crazy- great one, by the way- perfect theme : ) ~ Jess
Catherine Stine says
Avuncular is a great word and I love that painting. I admire you for doing A to Z, as I chickened out this year due to too many irons in the fire.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I do think I'm in trouble here. I'm hope to make it to H. That's today's goal.
M. J. Joachim says
That's the 2nd time I've run across the word "bodacious" today, and it's barely 8 o'clock in the morning! Oh my:)
C. Lee McKenzie says
That word has a ring to it, so guess that's why it's so popular this early in the morning.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – I got to you yesterday and the Alligator ate the connection! So I stopped .. back now ..
Love the Avuncular word … fun description too … Apple is a pretty good word – as the fruit is so good for us …
Cheers and see you at B … Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Taking apples to the alligators, Hilary!
mooderino says
Is there a word for kindly aunt? I feel there should be.
mood
Moody Writing
C. Lee McKenzie says
From what I know–very little actually–Aunt comes from the 1300's Anglo-Fr. Aunte or Tante.
Lynda R Young says
What's an A word I'd like to feel on my tongue? *A* chocolate… ok, so that's cheating a little π
Medeia Sharif says
I've always loved that word, but I don't think I've had an opportunity to use it in any manuscript.
Jinky says
Cool! I'd love to learn about interesting words and what a great start!! π
Tyrean Martinson says
Great start! I love your theme, and I love that word. I need to work on expanding my vocabulary all the time so I'll be looking forward to all your posts this month.
Christine Rains says
A great start! I have a bit of trouble verbalizing that word, but I love to type it. π
Mark Means says
That's a great word and I'm always looking for new words to expand my vocabulary. I think I'll be taking notes all this month π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Here's to our expanding vocabularies!
SA Larsenγ says
It does have a wonder sound! I agree with Southpaw…very clever.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm not sure why it sounds good to me, but it does.
Southpaw says
Word! Ah ha! Very clever.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Too simple, therefore, too hard to guess.
Carrie Butler says
Oo, this is going to be a fun theme! π
C. Lee McKenzie says
I enjoyed doing this one. Off to check out the others!
Samantha May says
Oh man I am not good at riddles π
I like the word Aardvark. Did you know Arthur (the cartoon) is an aardvark? I always thought he was a weird looking mouse or something…
C. Lee McKenzie says
Now, see I learned something new. I didn't know about Arthur at all.
Al Diaz says
The word uncle comes from avuncular? Who would have guessed? That's a nice painting.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Those Italians! They could certainly paint.
Pk Hrezo says
Great word! Has that same fun to say sound as "ocular." Love the long U sound. And you have an excellent theme. Look forwrad to learning more words. π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Pk. We have to love words, don't we? Where would authors be without them?
L. Diane Wolfe says
Wow, that's the origin of uncle? I didn't know that.
C. Lee McKenzie says
And we don't have too many chances to use this word. That's why the A-Z is so great!
Bish Denham says
I did not know that's where uncle comes from. For me, for today, acceptance is the word.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Ah, yes. I've been working on that for a long time, Bish!
michelle says
Avuncular? Unusual word which sounds chunky and kinda clumsy… yet linked to uncle…? Very interesting…
I like AURA and ARTISTRY… amongst others…
C. Lee McKenzie says
Aura is a great word.
Natalie Aguirre says
Awesome word. I'm amazed at everyone participating too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Natalie! Will we make it to the end of that list?
Barbara Watson says
I'm looking forward to your words! (And my goodness, that's a long list of A-Zers!!)
C. Lee McKenzie says
That list freaks me out.
Laura Eno says
My favorite A word? It starts with an A and ends with two S's, can be modified by adding other words to it,… Ok, I'll quit. π
Awesome!
Laura Eno β A Shift in Dimensions
C. Lee McKenzie says
Love A S S in conjunction with UR A. Great to see you here!
Nancy Jardine says
Allrighty!
I eventually found the comments box! There's a gazillian of names in this hop… π I love the work of Ghirlandaio and his Renaisance contemporaries! That knobbly nose cured my fear, as a last adolescent, that my own nose was too big.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Then this was a perfect image for today!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Alligator!!
And adobe.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Of course, Alligator!