I was on the bus recently (great place to pick up story ideas) and the two people behind me were chatting about a man they both knew. They were speculating as to whether he was ever going to find a partner.

“I wouldn’t ask, if I were you,” one said. “He takes umbrage at personal questions, that one.”

I smiled as they got off the bus, thinking there’s my next Wordy Wednesday.

To take umbrage means to be upset or offended by something someone says or does. I hadn’t thought about the meaning as it relates to providing shade, coming from the Old French umbrage. This in turn is from the Latin umbrâticus, which relates to shade – umbra shade. (Collins Dictionary)

Amazing what comes from a trip on the bus.