Hi Friends:
Ever noticed how certain words become ubiquitous at certain times?
Like the word ‘ubiquitous’ did a couple decades or so ago. Until then, very few people went around saying “ubiquitous”, when they could have just said, “It’s everywhere”.
Well, a few weeks ago, two new words made their entrance.
As the US president attacked America’s allies and cozied up to its enemies, the “in word” became “quisling”.
The term comes from Norwegian Vidkun Quisling, whose regime collaborated with the enemy during World War II.
But now the “in word” is Vichy, used to describe a party or government that collaborates with the enemy. Its roots are also in WW2, when a French marshal set up a collaborationist government in Vichy, France.
US Democrats who recently collaborated with the governing Republicans to pass a controversial spending bill were immediately accused of being “Vichy”.
Not “like Vichy “, but simply “Vichy”. And now “Vichy” has become ubiquitous, while “quisling” is losing its shine.
Do tough times bring out “new“ old words? Words that just lay there quietly dozing for decades, only to be shaken awake and pressed into service, over and over?
Or is there, unknown by me, always a hunt for the next new old word to make its discoverer feel special, more in the know? Like the person who discovers a cool new author, TV show or restaurant which her friends haven’t heard of yet.
I have no objection to either explanation. New or old, rare words have a way of expanding not just our vocabulary but our knowledge as well. Here’s to the next one, which, I hope, will be “Vimy”, meaning a courageous battle leading to a victory.
Or maybe that’s just me showing off.
I hope you’re doing well, in spite of what’s happening around us. I’m sharing a small flower bouquet that my granddaughter made one spring, to lift your spirits and mine.
Cynthia.
Thank you for sharing the news, the words, and the beautiful bouquet, Cynthia. ❤️
Thank you for reading and replying, Miriam!
You’re welcome, Cynthia!
Yes, old words used more frequently. Sometimes words seem inadequate to describe what’s happening in this country. But try we do.
It feels beyond description some days. I’m so sorry – for you, us and the world.
I love this reflection Cynthia. Informative and interesting and VERY well written- or, was that just you showing off! LOL. I love how you turn a phrase. You made me smile, which I think was your purpose, and just the medicine I need today.
Thanks, Marie. These days, I appreciate a smile every day.
My spirits are lifted by your words and the sweet bouquet. A question about these old words which become new again: to which generations do they become new again? Who is the media talking to? You and I may have an inkling of the meaning of old words but what about Gen Z and Gen Alpha? How are they expressing their thoughts about this difficult time? Meanwhile, in NZ, we have a conservative Canadian billionaire angling to take over some of our NZ media. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/360629820/canadian-billionaire-willing-compromise-nzme-board-changes-become-chair Which words will become ubiquitous if that happens?
Darned good question that I cannot answer.
What about “surreal”?
So right. Surreal!
I haven’t heard “quisling,” and I’ve only heard “Vichy” used in reference to WWII in France. Your granddaughter put together a lovely bouquet.
Fascinating. Quisling was, of course, executed. I don’t suppose there’s much chance of that now
I hope there are worse punishments than death for some people.
As an earlier pope once said (paraphrased): Hell isn’t where you think it is. It’s here on earth.
New words to me, but the times we are experiencing require words we are not use to using. Your arrangement is beautiful and reminds why I seek comfort in my garden when the world around me is too strange to understand.
I admit my ignorance, and looked up Vimy. 🙂
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimy
How are we doing amid all that is going on? In her latest post, Laurie Graves had a wonderful quote from the character Gandalf in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. “So do all who live to see such times; but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
Good job, Lavinia! I should have explained the meaning.
Vimy and Vimy Ridge:
These words have special meaning to Canadians because of the heroism (and deaths) of Canadian soldiers while fighting to free France during WW2.
They’re being used again to signify a courageous fight – as trump (lower case is deliberate) stoked fears of a US invasion of Canada.
And yes, I read that post of Laurie’s with that remarkable quote.
Hope you’re doing well, my friend.
I keep waking up on the right side of the ground. Can’t beat that! 🙂
I haven’t come across these yet over here Cynthia – interesting that they have a historical meaning, given that it seems some people haven’t learned their history.
Indeed. But why on earth not?? Are some of us clueless, or just evil? I find myself wondering this these days.
I love words. And so do you. Be well.
Thanks, Cindy. You too!
I love that words come back. A while ago, I remember reading someone saying that they’d complained about modern youth using the term ‘discrespecting’ as in ‘are you disrespecting me’ only to be told that disrespecting is a tudor word which fell out of use … and then into use again in the noughties.
Like the colour combo you chose with the bouquet too!
Thanks, MT. My granddaughter picked those flowers one Mother’s Day for the women in the family.
I really liked the colours too.
I’m crazy about words – new words, new old words, made-up words. I try to sneak at least one of each in my books!
Good observation. Suddenly a word is everywhere – ubiquitous even! Other recent examples include “captured” and “marginalised’. When it comes to prose “liminal’ was in vogue for a while. Also “granular ” And of course – everything is now getting re-imagined! Amazing!
Yes – I remember when liminal was the “in” word!
Nice to hear from you, Josie. I hope you’re doing well.
Hi Cynthia, I liked your observations – Hi from BC. I wonder if words make the rounds when they are discovered or re-discovered. Then we try to incorporate them into routine vocabulary through usage. I think increasing our vocabulary is important and one of the reasons I encourage reading and advocate for public libraries (which offer much much more than books now). I think I become lazy with my own vocabulary but become inspired through reading books because authors use words like paint brushes. In speaking I hear people use words like great or good too often and in Toastmasters I think of good as a crutch word because it lacks description. I have saunter off now, or perhaps amble and no more dilly dallying for me. ♥
Hope you enjoyed the sauntering off, and the ambling, and especially the dilly-dallying!
I agree about our verbal laziness. I, too, use ‘great’ and ‘good’ because they come easily to mind.
I shall endeavour to use ‘fine’, ‘fair’ and ‘outstanding’ in future. Though ‘fair’ has come to mean just okay-to-middling.
Perhaps we should challenge ourselves not only to learn a new word each day, but to use one each day.
For my part, I usually use one made-up word in each of my books (not the ones for children, though there’s an idea!).
Some readers notice. Most don’t. Thanks for your visit.
I love the word a day challenge but simply avoiding good and great is what I do, along with being conscious of ums, and ah’s.
Dear Cynthia,
You are never forgotten. I don’t have a new old word for that, but I can think of lots of words to describe what’s going on in the world, and none, I’m afraid, would be terribly polite.
I hope you’re well. Forgive the much-belated response. I hope your memoir classes are a wonderful success and that you are doing marvelously. (neither new nor old, but infrequently used. 🙂
Hugs,
Jeanne
Thank you, dear Jeanne. I appreciate your reply. My best wishes to you for a good spring-summer.