Happy New Year!

eu·pho·ny (yōō'fз-nē) n., pl. eu·pho·nies. Agreeable sound, especially in the phonetic quality of words. --eu·phon'ic (yōō-fŏn'ĭk) adj. --eu·phon'i·cal·ly adv.

From what I gather from this definition, this would include lyrics that are well enunciated and pleasant to hear.  Literally, the word is composed of two parts from the Greek original: eu (good) + phonia (sound).  Phonetics is the study of, or the system of the sounds of speech.  A phonetic "alphabet" helps those dedicated to this discipline to reproduce what is heard into written form that can be read to reproduce said speech.

Euphony can be applied to any pleasant sounds (such as rain on the roof, the crackling of a fire, or any other sound that brings pleasant thoughts).  This is, of course, in the ear of the hearer.  I doubt, for example, if the squealing of brakes would be euphony to anyone except maybe an  "ambulance chaser," but who am I to judge? :-)

I would be remiss if I did not announce the pleasant words to all Jews, Messianic and otherwise, if I did not speak the pleasant words "L'Shana Tova" on this Rosh HaShanah, 5773.  I hope that these words are pleasant to any who may read this, for that is my sincerest wish.  To those who are not up on Jewish Holidays, September 16-18 (sundown to sundown, about 48 hours) is the two-day celebration of the New Year on the Jewish civil calendar (Biblical seventh month - religious calendar).

I suppose that was somewhat of a stretch from a random word to a blog, but I wrote as I felt "lead" and there you go! "Chag Sameach"! (Happy Holidays!)

  [Transliterations courtesy of About.com]

Feeling "Blowsy"?

blow·zy also blow·sy (blou'zē) adj. blow·zi·er also  blow·si·er, blow·zi·est  blow·si·est. 1. Having a coarsely ruddy and bloated appearance. 2. Disheveled and frowzy; unkempt. --blow'zi·ly adv. --blow'zi·ness n.


Used in a sentence (link):

Come stroll with me through the blowzy gardens and wildflower meadow; gathering Black-eyed Susans, Ladybells and Queen Anne’s Lace for carefree bouquets.

The Gardener's Eden - Into the August Haze

I guess in some sense being blowzy is not a bad thing -- if you're a wild flower!  Anyway, this is how most of us feel upon getting up every morning - disheveled and frowsy.  Now why would the dictionary use another unusual word to describe a word that rhymes with it and "lousy" at the same time.

frow·zy also frow·sy (frou“z¶) adj. frow·zi·er also  frow·si·er, frow·zi·est  frow·si·est. 1. Unkempt; slovenly. 2. Having an unpleasant smell; musty. --frow“zi·ness n.

Okay, I'm guessing that the second definition is a connotation in both cases, for a garden amonst fruit trees (the contest of the quote) certainly can be unkempt, but would not have an unpleasant smell -- quite the opposite, as is the point of the blog in which I found the quote.

The primary meaning of "blowsy," it appears, would be limited to a rather poor image - a medical or physical condition that indicates real problems.  Coarse ruddiness and bloating can't be good.  Brings to my mind a drunk and obese person (particular ones come to mind, but I don't want to be disrespectful of public figures!).

Personally, the way my ankles swell, by the time I go to bed in the evening they are looking rather blowsy even if I am otherwise feeling quite well.  Oh well, enough about me.  If this is posted, it means I couldn't find anything else to post!  Until next time, have a pleasant day!