Hello dear friends, greetings on the first weekend of the new month. In this short post,
I’d like to talk about three words and their concepts that sabotage joy and tell you
instead of words that I like better. Below, are the concepts I’d like to banish:
Fearmongering
Scaremongering
Rumormongering
Fear-mongering is often tied to frightening events.
Merriam-Webster says the first use of the word was in 1939;
we all know what was happening around then.
Scaremonger traces back to 1888. Oh, wait for it:
1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar and a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar, the 1888th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 888th year of the 2nd millennium, the 88th year of the 19th century, and the 9th year of the 1880s decade. As of the start of 1888, the Gregorian calendar was 12 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923.
In Germany, 1888 is known as the Year of the Three Emperors. Currently, it is the year that, when written in Roman numerals, has the most digits (13). The next year that also has 13 digits is the year 2388. The record will be surpassed as late as 2888, which has 14 digits. SOURCE: 1888 Wikipedia
Rumormonger, which first showed up in 1884 (older but debatable as to whether it’s
a wiser word) seems to peak around elections. Is that a coincidence, do you think?
Actually, there’s more to read on the year 1884, but after going down the list of
everything that transpired in 1888, I cannot handle more.
Please click on the Wikipedia link to see for yourself what a scary year that was. Phew!
I like these words much better:
Joy
Gratitude
Compassion
Won’t you share your better words with me?
When I’m scared and my guts turn to stiff knots,
I wear cotton clothes
as my
amulet
and this is what I recite:
Heal my fear-based thoughts,
Heal my fear-based thoughts,
Heal my fear-based thoughts.
Enough mongering, I say. What say you? Which would you like to see banished?
And which words and concepts would you like to see more of?
Hakuna Matata!
And today, to celebrate two countries,
whose flags I see as visitors on my website:
Happy Independence Day to the United States of America
Happy Independence Day to the Philippines
With gratitude, xoxo,
I wish you miracles.
- Homage to Dante: What Ails Thee, Trifler? - December 13, 2024
- Do The Southerlies Come For The Wicked Too? - December 12, 2024
- Dectina Refrain: Tinged Living Lessons - December 11, 2024
I hate fear mongering, and spreading of rumors. Spreading kindness and appeasing the doubts is so much more kind.
I completely agree with you, Sadje. Too much of that mongering in fear, and people don’t know what to take as truth anymore. More kindness is what I ask for too. Thanks for reading and commenting. I bless you. xo
Thanks Selma.
I liked your etymology lesson, actually!
I don’t think that words or concepts should be banned- better that we should have the vocabulary to speak openly about troubling matters. But like you, I don’t think these have had a positive benefit on society
No positive benefit to society. Thanks for saying it. I appreciate the read and comment. I bless you.
I would hold on to hope, love and peace. They definitely make life beautiful.
Hope, love, and peace. Yes, absolutely. For all people of the world. Thanks for the visit, dear Radhika. Blessings. xo
Truth, reality, hope
I love your three words. Glad to see hope mentioned again. Thanks, Deb. Blessings.
Wonderful poem and sentiments, Selma. Empathy, compassion, kindness. 💕🙂
Oh, yes, please: Empathy, compassion. AND Kindness. Please. Thanks, Harmony. xoxo
💖
Beautiful my friend! I share your sentiments and favorite words. The two words I think on and center myself with—kindness and gratitude.
Kindness– yes! gratitude — Yes!!! I agree. Thanks for reading and commenting. Happy fourth celebration to you and your dear ones. I bless you and love having you in my life. Stay safe and sweet always. I wish you miracles…
I like fishmongers though!
Haha. Ok, we’ll leave fishmonger… it’s a word that doesn’t disrupt and alarm anyone. Thanks for the laugh. xoxo
Love your three words! Choosing Joy and Gratitude is so powerful! Compassion comes through love, and I think loving one another comes from truly understanding the person. So, a curiosity to understand and open-mindedness to allow the knowledge to change our heart is required. Fear is just ignorance! Great post! 💖
Great post, Selma! I love your words and would add self-awareness, self-compassion, and choice! 🙂
Great post and I love the photo at the bottom, Selma – so perfect and so apt for today’s society. I agree with your choices but for myself, I would ban the word hate. I’d choose kindness, empathy and peace. Thanks for sharing. Xx 🌞🌹💛
Wonderful message, Selma👏🏼👏🏼
Gossip should not be allowed. If you do not know the facts you should not be allowed to repeat them.
Respect is a word that needs to be taught and reinforce with every breath!! 💖
All of these across cultures and boundaries. Synonymous with politics of hate.
Great words. I’d like to add these; soft and fresh.
I’d also like to ask if fear mongering and scaremongering are the business of horror and thriller writers nd creators.😁