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
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!!
ReplyDeleteAnise 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.
ReplyDeleteGreat start to the A-Z, thanks.
Nilanjana.
Madly-in-Verse
that was a short and sweet post - and I learnt a new word - what more could you ask for? Leanne from
ReplyDeletecresting the hill
That last one is a mouthful. I'm going to use it on someone today.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post though I must admit I can pronouce the last word. Excellent start to the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Interesting and informative post. well, the last word (the special) was like a tongue twister... eager to know more...
ReplyDelete@w0rds4u from As Time Flies>
Interesting; I'm going to have to investigate Argon further...
ReplyDeleteNeat!
ReplyDeleteI love "Agathokakological"...What a cool word!
ReplyDeleteI've used anise in pies before - it's strong.
ReplyDeleteHmm, how can I use that last word in a conversation...? :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that last word is crazy. It sounds like you're doing a lot of research for this challenge. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteAidyl from Noveltea
I like anise on carrots :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Oh my, that last work is a big one! But I like it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnise 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.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even going to attempt to retype your word of the day. I will challenge you to say it three times fast.
Not even sure I can say the last one, but the cat shall try
ReplyDeleteVery informative. There's actually a word like Agathokakological?? Must show off that one with friends :)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAgathokakological...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!
ReplyDeleteGreat A's! I love Anise, too~ I can't say that last word-either, but how fun~
ReplyDeleteAgathokakological... bet you can't say that 3 times slow or fast! Great list, Susan. Agath ... ok ... a ... ko ... logical. Mind-twister.
ReplyDeleteThey teach how to pronounce it online. Go figure.
DeleteWell, that's a mouthful... anise is also used in the Slovakian version of coca cola... it gives it quite the funny taste. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
I'd heard the first two, but I've never heard Agathokakological. New word! Thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://writegame.blogspot.com
Love number 3 - but never going to try to spell it. Good luck with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteHi 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
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful theme and just like today, I'm so looking forward to learning a new word(s) daily.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the A to Z Challenge.
Let's rock it!
My Era from The Era I Lived In
Very cool idea for the Challenge!
ReplyDeleteAnise is an ingredient in one of my favorite foods, anise rusks.
Anise has to be one of my favorite flavors. Argon, not so much.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Anise being used to treat coughs but I have not tried it.
ReplyDeleteShalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Love anise! Great information an easy quick learn!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting for the A to Z!
Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
Defending The Pen
Parallels
Murderous Imaginings
I love that last word. Not sure I could ever remember it mind you.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Great post. Looking forward to the other letters!
ReplyDeleteAmanda from http://www.amandafleet.co.uk
I love big words and I cannot lie. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the challenge!
LOL - I read your intro, stopped to sneeze and then read how anise can help me. Looking forward to another AtoZ.
ReplyDeleteLove your trio facts. Terrific concept!
ReplyDeleteCool theme! I recognized argon right away but that was it.
ReplyDeleteIt'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.
ReplyDeleteI'm A to Zing from: Fill the Cracks and Moondustwriter's Blog
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.
ReplyDeleteAgathokakological - 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 :)
ReplyDeletebest 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
This sounds fun to research!
ReplyDeletePioneer Women in Aviation A-Z
Anise is one of my favorite flavors; it's the flavor of ouzo and Sambuca...
ReplyDeleteJohn Holton
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Sound of One Hand Typing
Gave up on pronouncing the last one! Good words.
ReplyDeleteAnise is a favorite, but i've never looked into its possible medicinal use. Thanks for the new word today!
ReplyDeleteAgathokakological, what a tongue twister! Interesting definition, but I can see why you may not want to use it in writing :)
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThat 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
I love to use star anise in dishes - it gives a lovely under note. Agathokakological is a new word on me :)
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Hi Susan.
ReplyDeleteI 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
How do you pronounce the last one? o.O
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
as comments are free let me say i find it interesting, this last word
ReplyDeleteI 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...!
ReplyDeleteAshmita Chatterjee
Chaoticsoulzzz.wordpress.com
Very nice blog, Thanks for sharing great article.
ReplyDeleteYou are providing wonderful information, it is very useful to us.
Keep posting like this informative articles.
Thank you.
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