Add some whimsy to your life
Lycanthrope is the fancy and much more romantic way of saying werewolf and it derives from the Greek words lykos (wolf) and anthrōpos (man). Lycanthropes have long been staples in mythology and folklore, which makes sense, since the idea of a lycanthrope, or wolf man, taps into a very primal sense of instinct and horror… Continue reading Word Nerd: Lycanthrope
Thanatopsis is a word that was coined by William Cullen Bryant, author of the poem Thanatopsis. When and where exactly He wrote the poem, and thus created the word thanatopsis are unclear, however it was published in 1817. Thanatopsis was created by combining the Greek term thanatos (death) with the term opsis (a view) and… Continue reading Word Nerd: Thanatopsis
Tsundoku is a Japanese word that every bibliophile is familiar with, whether they know the term or not! Tsundoku (pronounced like tsoon-doh-coo) means the act of buying a new book and then leaving it unread, usually in a pile with fellow unread books. I do this all of the time, not because I don't want… Continue reading Word Nerd: Tsundoku
Limn is one of those charming descriptive words that I run across rather often in my reading. I find sentences such as "the sun limned trees lined the curved road, beckoning me forward." and "Her poetry was limned with a sense of fragile sadness and hope mingled inscrutably together.". Alright, so I actually made those… Continue reading Word Nerd: Limn
Demure and Demur are two words that are easily confused, though each means something slightly different. Demure is used as an adjective for someone who is quiet, reserved, modest, or quiet and who shows some reluctance to show themselves off. Alas, for too long demure was considered the ideal compliment for a woman to receive, and… Continue reading Word Nerd: Demure and Demur
Feuillemort is an incredibly beautiful and rather old word that means having the color of a faded leaf. Feuillemort derives from the French term feuille morte (a dead leaf) and on this, the Autumnal Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere, I think it's a most apt term. Autumn is the season for feuillemort delights, dancing… Continue reading Word Nerd: Feuillemort and an Autumn Word List
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