Bermudaonion is sponsoring a new meme to introduce readers to Wondrous Words on Wednesdays, and this will be the first time I am participating. Yipee.
Here are the words I found in The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett:
1. Amanuensis: a writing assistant to conduct research and perform secretarial duties, though I didn't mark the page I found this on, so I can't tell you how Bennett used the word.
2. Solipsistic: someone who believes the theory of self can be proved to exist or extreme self-absorption
3. Opsimath: a person that continues or begins to learn later in life.
Although, most of these are defined in the novel.
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22 comments:
Wow, some great words. Bermuda Onion has a terrific idea with this meme. I find it most enjoyable. I ran across a couple of words in Death of a Witch and they are here
I'm trying to remember the context in which I learned amanuensis. Maybe with Milton after he started going blind? I think that James Joyce used an amanuensis later in life as well to write what he dictated?
Great words! I hope that reading these words will help me be an opsimath. (Now, if I could only figure out how to pronounce it.) Thanks for playing along.
Another meme I should consider! These are some interesting words. I wondered about amanuensis when I read your review.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Kaye: I think this is a great meme.
Trish: I think you are right about Joyce, not sure about Milton. LOL
Bermuda: the pronunciations are what kills me.
Anna: Yeah, I was dying to jump in on this meme...I could still do it with Drood, but I think Bermudaonion covered those!
Nifty words. I knew solipsistic but never heard of the other two. Sooooo many words exist.
I encountered "amanuensis" while studying theology (supposedly some of the New Testament writers dictated their stuff to an amanuensis rather than writing it themselves), and "solipsistic" while studying philosophy. Those are all excellent words.
Mine are here.
I have not heard of even one of your words. I agree that this is a fun meme and good for the brain. I like your blog and will check out your poetry.
I played along today also and it is here:
http://joyfullyretired.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/
Marvin: Ain't that the truth!
Phyl: I agree. I loved these words, but I think I am especially fond of amanuensis.
Margot: I will check out your post as well.
Wonderful words. I really love seeing what words everyone ran in to this week.
Carol: This is a great meme!
Great words.... very enlightening.. I would love to let them roll off my tongue sometime.
I haven't heard of any of those words! I'm going to play along next week. I like this meme!
I could use an amanuensis. Hmmm, I'd take an assistant of any type (laundress, personal chef, chaffuer ... you name it, I'll take it!) :)
This was my first week with Wondrous Words, too.
great words serena!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Toni: Can you imagine using all of these words in daily conversation.
Lisa: this meme is great fun.
Dawn: Great. I could use some assistants too if you find any extras.
Naida: what wondrous words have you found? LOL
Well you found some interesting and unusual ones! Never heard these used before to my knowledge.
Great words - I especially like opsimath!
Serena- These are all new words to me, too. I really like this meme. I am an opsimath I guess! Still learning!
LadyTink: I've only heard of amanuensis before.
Carrie: Thanks.
Rebecca: I say go for it...socrates was always learning and he lived to be an old many by greek standards
Wow those are some heavy words Serena! Thanks for sharing them.
I'm an opsimath! Thanks for sharing.
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