When I attended graduate school, I needed an extracurricular activity to keep me from becoming a hermit. (I turned into one my final year of college. I prefer not to repeat the experience.) I chose Japanese jujitsu because, well, martial arts have always fascinated me. However, I wanted to pursue a training course that would keep me safe while walking to my car late at night.
vocabulary
Alphabet Adventure: U is for Unguent
The letter “u” regularly acts as a best-supporting character. For example, it accompanies the letters “m,” “p,” and “q.” It often appears beside “n,” too, typically revealing a negative or opposing action: unhand, unconscionable, unappeased, unbelievable, et cetera, et cetera.
Alphabet Adventure: T is for Termagant
Most people likely think of termagant as an adjective describing a person prone to being overbearing or shrewish. I, however, conjure an animal, two, to be exact: the married badgers, Crab Apple and Fussbudget. The couple makes its appearance in Ken Gire’s Adventures in the Big Thicket, a children’s book similar to Aesop’s Fables.
Alphabet Adventure: S is for Shawarma
Ah, shawarma. Many people likely think of the scene from Iron Man when they hear the word. I, however, think of the actual food. It belongs in the realm of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods, which I happen to find thoroughly palatable.
Alphabet Adventure: R is for Rapport
Webster defines rapport as a relationship “marked by harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity.” It seems an appropriate word to begin the New Year, a wish for peace and unity. Such qualities, though, don’t arise out of nowhere. They require effort, devoted attention, time, and humility. Unity and peace — harmony — only come through bending toward other people rather than demanding one’s own way.
Alphabet Adventure: Q is for Querulous
Querulous seems a fitting “q” word, mostly because the letter sees little use unless one serves a queen or plays Scrabble. Querulous, though, produces a small Scrabble score with all its vowels and “l” and “s.” A better option would be quiz or quagmire.