I came across Craven in my Dictionary of English Place Names (Oxford University Press 1991). Craven, a district of North Yorkshire, is thought to be an old Celtic name meaning garlic place. This led me to ponder the meaning of craven as a word, which is very cowardly; not at all brave. It is thought to be an adaptation of the Old French cravent meaning defeated or beaten.
Language never fails to fascinate me. If you want to share a word, I’d be delighted to hear from you.
It’s half term
And the little girl in the charity shop
Says we have the best toys.
Reassuring rheumatologist
And snowdrops at Calke.
On a Tuesday morning, my partner volunteers in one of our local charity shops and often messages me to come and buy a few things. I never know what they might be but tea towels are a regular favourite – she’s a collector extraordinaire. This time, there were three items; a tea towel in a tin, a tin with teapots on it and a jigsaw.
When I got home, I studied the jigsaw and became fascinated by the word ‘Hygge’ on the front. As well as some information on the box, I headed to the visit Denmark website. Here it describes the fullness of its meaning. Hygge – pronounced hoo-gah – is about creating a warm atmosphere, enjoying the best of life with other people. They give some examples, such as the cosy glow of candlelight.
If you enjoy doing jigsaws, you probably get a sense of Hygge and the design on this one demonstrates that sense perfectly too. I think we all need more Hygge in our lives. Thank you Denmark.
Here’s my week summed up. I’d love to hear your ‘sum ups’ – in 25 words or less.
Volunteer, go to physio,
Cat to the vet.
Results of biopsy
(Must it always rain
When I go to the hospital?)
Time to write.
Do you have a word for Wordy Wednesday? I’d love to hear your favourite word or the one that best sums up how you feel today.
In the past few weeks I’ve had many medical appointments and I’m left feeling discombobulated. Confused, a bit off kilter and out of balance perfectly describes my experience.
Said to have first been recorded in the early 1800s in the form discomboberate, it might not be a great feeling but it’s still a grand word.
Busy charity shop day
B12 jab, happy birthday me
Write, write, write.
Feet, a scan and biopsy
Cats and a day out.
It’s Wordy Wednesday again and, today, I bring you a word whose origin lies in Scotland. It’s been used in proverbs and poems, including by the famous Scottish bard, Robert Burns. It’s also, I believe, one of those words that sounds like its meaning somehow.
Crabbit – out of humour or in a bad temper. It’s a word, given my Scottish heritage, that I often heard during our many visits to Scotland when I was a child.
She’s awfy crabbit the day!
Exhausted from physio
Snip, snip salon
Lunch with friends
Let’s write, write and write.
Vet with our little wanderer
And so the week ends.
mywordshare 