Ravel is a quirky and unique word since it can mean both tangle and untangle. How is this possible, you may be asking, well if you stop and think about knitting or sewing (or have had any experience with thread, rope, etc. at any time) you’ll realize very quickly that tangling and untangling are never far apart. In this way, ravel can mean both! I know there have been times when I have been caught in an almost infinite ravel loop, where it seems I’m untangling and tangling the same darn threads over and over again (cats, btw, never help, go figure!).
Poor Eliza’s nightmares consisted of an endless ravel of knitting, tangled wool, and tears.
I like the word ravel and it was really neat to learn that it actually means two opposites that are almost always inevitably joined!
Namaste ~ Ella
*Check out the Word Nerd Index and my Word Nerd Pinterest Board for other superb words!
** If there’s a word you’d like to see added to the Word Nerd roster, please feel free to drop me a line or suggest it in the comments – I love feedback and recommendations!
Lawhimsy 