Friday, April 1, 2016

A: A to Z Blogging Challenge

For my 2016 A to Z Challenge, I’m sharing three facts for each letter. The genres I write and love to read are mostly science fiction and high or epic fantasy. In fantasy, there is often magic associated with crystals or metals. They also used herbs both for medicine and for magical spells. Each day I will post a short description of an herb or a mineral you might find in medieval or fantasy writings. For the record, most of the herbal remedies I’ve investigated are not recommended by the FDA. Many are actually poisonous and dangerous. As tribute to my second love, I will post a scientific fact that may deal with physics, biology or health science. And because another name for a writer is wordsmith, each day I’ll share a strange word that I would probably never use in my writing, but that amuse me in some way. So enjoy my trio of quick facts.

Anise: used for flavoring and also for treating coughs.

Argon: an inert noble gas used in shielding for industry uses, fluorescent lights and document preservation.

Agathokakological: composed of good and evil, like most people.

Don't forget to visit the IWSG site where we'll be posting a writer's resource for every letter of the challenge.

"Comment is free, but facts are sacred." C.P. Scott


55 comments:

  1. I love the word Agathokakological!! Never heard of it and probably don't pronounce it correctly but it's a great word. Happy April days!!

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  2. Anise is part of every South Asian spice rack, even mine...loved your unusual word with such an everyday meaning, unusual doesn't begin to say half of it.

    Great start to the A-Z, thanks.

    Nilanjana.
    Madly-in-Verse

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  3. that was a short and sweet post - and I learnt a new word - what more could you ask for? Leanne from
    cresting the hill

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  4. That last one is a mouthful. I'm going to use it on someone today.

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  5. Wonderful post though I must admit I can pronouce the last word. Excellent start to the Challenge.
    Yvonne.

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  6. Interesting and informative post. well, the last word (the special) was like a tongue twister... eager to know more...

    @w0rds4u from As Time Flies>

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  7. Interesting; I'm going to have to investigate Argon further...

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  8. I love "Agathokakological"...What a cool word!

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  9. I've used anise in pies before - it's strong.

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  10. Hmm, how can I use that last word in a conversation...? :)

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  11. Wow, that last word is crazy. It sounds like you're doing a lot of research for this challenge. Good for you!
    Aidyl from Noveltea

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  12. I like anise on carrots :)

    betty

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  13. Oh my, that last work is a big one! But I like it. :)

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  14. Anise sounded familiar so I looked it up online. Not sure where I've heard it... but wiki says it's taste is similar to licorice and some folks have used it to treat lice. Wowza.

    I'm not even going to attempt to retype your word of the day. I will challenge you to say it three times fast.

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  15. Not even sure I can say the last one, but the cat shall try

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  16. Very informative. There's actually a word like Agathokakological?? Must show off that one with friends :)

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  17. I love cooking with Anise. Goes perfectly in homemade pho. Also fun to say and annoy the wife with when I pronounce it incorrectly like a certain body part.

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  18. Agathokakological...I really want to find a way to use that in a sentence. I might also have to look up the etymology because I want to see the origins of that!

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  19. Great A's! I love Anise, too~ I can't say that last word-either, but how fun~

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  20. Agathokakological... bet you can't say that 3 times slow or fast! Great list, Susan. Agath ... ok ... a ... ko ... logical. Mind-twister.

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  21. Well, that's a mouthful... anise is also used in the Slovakian version of coca cola... it gives it quite the funny taste. :)
    Happy A to Z!

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    The Multicolored Diary
    MopDog

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  22. I'd heard the first two, but I've never heard Agathokakological. New word! Thanks.

    http://writegame.blogspot.com

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  23. Love number 3 - but never going to try to spell it. Good luck with the challenge!

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  24. Hi Susan - love the good and evil ... but anise is great for settling digestive strains too .. cheers - and I've withdrawn for this year .. needs must - Hilary

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  25. That's a wonderful theme and just like today, I'm so looking forward to learning a new word(s) daily.
    All the best for the A to Z Challenge.
    Let's rock it!

    My Era from The Era I Lived In

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  26. Very cool idea for the Challenge!

    Anise is an ingredient in one of my favorite foods, anise rusks.

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  27. Anise has to be one of my favorite flavors. Argon, not so much.

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  28. I have heard of Anise being used to treat coughs but I have not tried it.
    Shalom,
    Patricia @ EverythingMustChange

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  29. Love anise! Great information an easy quick learn!


    Thank you for posting for the A to Z!
    Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
    Defending The Pen
    Parallels
    Murderous Imaginings

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  30. I love that last word. Not sure I could ever remember it mind you.

    JO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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  31. Great post. Looking forward to the other letters!

    Amanda from http://www.amandafleet.co.uk

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  32. I love big words and I cannot lie. ;-)

    Great idea for the challenge!

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  33. LOL - I read your intro, stopped to sneeze and then read how anise can help me. Looking forward to another AtoZ.

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  34. Love your trio facts. Terrific concept!

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  35. Cool theme! I recognized argon right away but that was it.

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  36. It's amazing when you think about the research that a writer devotes to make his/ her work accurate. I can tell you are thorough. Happy A to Zing.
    I'm A to Zing from: Fill the Cracks and Moondustwriter's Blog

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  37. In Canada, I had some sausage with anise. The licorice flavor was quite good. However, I cannot remember what nationality the sausage was representative of. You've picked an interesting theme.

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  38. Agathokakological - what a terrific word. Searching for its etymology (agathos = good and kakos = bad I learned) I found this blog post which actually included an example in written English :)

    best wishes from a fellow A to Z blogger
    Anne
    at http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/b-is-for-barque-bloomer-arrived-1854.html

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  39. Anise is one of my favorite flavors; it's the flavor of ouzo and Sambuca...

    John Holton
    Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    The Sound of One Hand Typing

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  40. Gave up on pronouncing the last one! Good words.

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  41. Anise is a favorite, but i've never looked into its possible medicinal use. Thanks for the new word today!

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  42. Agathokakological, what a tongue twister! Interesting definition, but I can see why you may not want to use it in writing :)

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  43. Hi Susan,

    That was short but packed a punch. My daughter (you visited her site, Courtney Pearson) and I love our crystals. So I'm looking forward to what you will be sharing with us.

    Great topic for the A to Z.

    Cheers, Jenny
    Pearson Report
    On Twitter

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  44. I love to use star anise in dishes - it gives a lovely under note. Agathokakological is a new word on me :)
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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  45. Hi Susan.
    I love your trio of quick facts.
    Now I'm wondering about the pronunciation of agathokakological. I love the sound of words.
    Happy A to Z'ing!!
    Writer In Transit

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  46. How do you pronounce the last one? o.O

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  47. as comments are free let me say i find it interesting, this last word

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  48. I am now hopping to Google after reading your 4 posts...! I am sure I have to listen to the pronunciation of the last one here...!

    Ashmita Chatterjee
    Chaoticsoulzzz.wordpress.com

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    Keep posting like this informative articles.
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