It’s not every day that we get to introduce a new word to the world. I do not take this opportunity lightly. It seems more likely to find old words being given new meaning. Take “pivot” for example. I am noticing a lot of pivots these days. It seems to be one of those words that have found their way into new uses. You are now pivoting a career. Or, one can pivot. I'm not very hip to new language uses. Having said that, I have enough trouble using the words I know. Maybe I should pivot!?
I have three younger sisters. Our middle sister, Ginny, used to make up words all the time. When she was a kiddo she would come up with the darnedest phrases like, “ Mo ken Tway doe” and “ Fladderter.” She would drop one of these items into a sentence that made perfect sense and, I believe, took some pleasure in the confusion her new words brought. Looking back, I think Ginny developed her new words as a way to communicate with animals – Ginny got all the pets – a pony, a sheep, a cat, a gerbil, etc. I also believe that Ginny preferred to chat with animals more than people. Incentive to create a new language. Aufer deiddi renso!
My revised word meaning, “Sprinter,” is the result of combining spring and winter, i.e., Sprin and ter. The word arrived when I stared out the window the other day during our recent mid-April snows. The wonderful big fat flakes tumbling out of the sky landing on branches of swamp maple and their newly emerging buds. I thought to myself, this scene calls out for the need of a new season, and subsequently a new meaning to that stretch of weather which comes with Maine's attempt at spring still held in the clutches of winter.
I figured the photo would support my confusion. I'm certain that many people who view this image will, once again, question my ability to see something that is not present. I am willing to admit defeat, but not without the opportunity to pivot. Perhaps I have over-pivoted on this one. You be the judge. I am trying to keep an open mind.