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onomatopoeia ... imitating the natural sound of things

eyes to see, ears to hear ... hush, be still


Words are cool.  They are interesting, thought-provoking and even noteworthy. There’s a gaggle of words that are just fun to say, especially when used in conversation.  Try dropping conundrum on someone and see it expressed on their face; vichyssoise – do you know what it is? … cahoots or even a name like football player, Manu Tuiasosopo.   See, you’re smiling just reading them!

A pet word of mine is onomatopoeia.  It’s a blast to pronounce and people look at you like, “say what?”  You just grin, actually smirk.

onomatopoeia – imitates the natural sound of things

So, I was thinking of this word in relation to stuff that I do.  Is the stuff echoing the sound that I want to express?  Sometimes it might be a murmur or buzz when I get all tweeted out.  There are days that it’s a thump and bang as I beat my head against a wall or fall flat on the floor.  What about the “oh crap, foot-in-my-mouth” blurt days?  Wedged in between all of these metaphors, are the times when I’m imitating hush, be still, cease.

What is it about words that sound like themselves?  They are their own definition.  

Going back to me (and you), do I sound like my own definition?  It’s kind of crazy to think about, but people are listening to us – good, bad and yep, the ugly.  Maybe more so on the ugly faction, as we’ve become a culture obsessed with self, letting situations and circumstances buzz us or bang us around.  Those times are also onomatopoeia's, sounds being emitted, defining our innateness. 

Here's a good spot for a big exclamation point! Sounds and definitions and noises...it get's confusing.  I guess I‘m looking to be a tune on a favorite playlist; one that is just right at the right time; mellow jazz when a chill element is needed, a little blues to go with a sad day or funk to bring swagger to the step.  I want to be a word that reverberates its elemental meaning.

Onomatopoeia spins off the tongue, is it playing from my speakers?

Missy


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Comments

  1. Now that was a fun play with words. Kind of lyrical. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marlene. It was fun to write and pop in words that are actually onomatopoeias. Chuck, from our writing class used the word in a few of his pieces. It intrigued me then, and still does. I appreciate your comments!

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