Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Word of the Day/Week/Month


ennui - –noun
a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom: The endless lecture produced an unbearable ennui.

n. Listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; boredom: "The servants relieved their ennui with gambling and gossip about their masters" (John Barth).

Word History: Were they alive today, users of Classical Latin might be surprised to find that centuries later a phrase of theirs still survives, although as a single word. The phrase mihi in odiō est (literally translated as "to me in a condition of dislike or hatred is"), meaning "I hate or dislike," gave rise to the Vulgar Latin verb *inodiāre, "to make odious," the source of the Old French verb ennuyer or anoier, "to annoy, bore." This was borrowed into English by around 1275 as anoien, our annoy. From the Old French verb a noun meaning "worry, boredom" was derived, which became ennui in modern French. This noun, with the sense "boredom," was borrowed into English in the 18th century, perhaps filling a need in polite, cultivated society.

It may be because Christmas has been taken down. It may be because of the overcast weather. It could be because I messed up and didn't get down to Acanthus for their Installation (I thought it was on the 9th and it was on the 2nd). It may be because I have sort of gone off my diet and don't feel I am accomplishing anything but I don't seem to feel the passion right now. Perhaps I have learned to subdue my passions (I doubt that) and can go on to improve myself.

For whatever reason I don't much feel like I am doing my blog justice. I woke up this morning with an idea. I was going to blog about a hymn - "Day by day the Manna fell." I was going to talk about how "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." (Mary Baker Eddy) (I always think about that when I am feeling poor) but decided that would be too preachy. Yesterday it was going to be about the Lord's Prayer. I might have been able to write an interesting post about the misuse and use of it but for some reason ennui/apathy/and something else set in and you got sand painting instead.

I originally wrote the "peculiar art" post - published it and then went back half a day later and revised it. I seldom do that. I think perhaps the map at the bottom of the page scares me. When I look at it and see where you all are from and realize that I have little idea of who my audience is it is a little "off putting."

Right now I am looking forward to the vet coming to shoot Bailey and I will have to lock Max up while she is here or he will try to herd her by nipping at her. Such fun Max is - NOT. Well most of the time he is and I love him but he can be a bother. Don't try to sneak in on me. He lets me know when someone is coming.

-- She was just here and it went well. Max spent some time in "his" room. Bailey tried to avoid it but he got his shot and except for needing his teeth cleaned he is in good health. I owe him an apology. Brenda (vet) tells me he is 12 and will turn 13 next August (25) so we got that straightened out. Both dogs will get their teeth cleaned next month (Dental special at the vet clinic in February) - Bailey at the first of the month and Max at the end. Spaces the paying for it out.

Tonight is Eastern Star and it is Installation so I am going. I took a hiatus from Star earlier this year but I will probably go once in awhile this year. We will see how it goes.

Well I guess I have enough on this post. You are probably bored enough. I will take some pictures at Star tonight. Take care and Hugs, j

3 comments:

Dianne said...

Do you remember when Craig told the story of his son saying "whatever" to everything Craig said? "You're a little young for ennui" was Craig's response.

I just realized that we have another thing in common - Your Max and my Siren both need their own room. "Can be a bother" is so true but we love them.

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Whatever! :~)

Anonymous said...

sa·ti·ety
Pronunciation: \sə-ˈtī-ə-tē also ˈsā-sh(ē-)ə-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French satieté, from Latin satietat-, satietas, from satis
Date: 1533
1 : the quality or state of being fed or gratified to or beyond capacity : surfeit fullness
2 : the revulsion or disgust caused by overindulgence or excess
I love words---and Latin. Thanks.