Sunday, January 09, 2011

Flaneurial



I've had a few days of boxing in piping, boring holes into walls and fitting doorhandles. In between times I've been reading 'The Hare with Amber Eyes', which is OK ... but the author is clearly in love with words. One of his favourites is flaneurial which makes me laugh out loud each time I read it. I've never seen it as an adjective before, so that's a first. Also, in my spare time, I've been thinking about thinking. It came to mind how Borges in that wonderful story 'Funes, his memory' says that 'to think is to ignore (or forget) differences....' Now there's a thought!

13 comments:

Jessica Hodge said...

This is quite interesting to discover this site. I looked up the word flaneurial because I am also reading the The Hare with the Amber Eyes. Is this the only author in recent times using this word?

Birdy McBirdface said...

Ha ha! I was reading The Hare with the Amber Eyes and kept tripping on flaneurial. So I googled it, intending to run some sort of "Word of the day" Tweet and found your site. Very funny!

Anonymous said...

I am also reading "The Hare...." and have never encountered it before. The GPS appears to supercedes flaneuring.

Anonymous said...

Exactly as all the others. Looked up flanuerial because I am also reading the Hare with the Amber eyes! Sort of OK. Half way through - is it worth keeping going?

Judith M said...

Glad to find I am not alone in searching for Flaneurial. Came across it in 'The Hare'. Still don't know what it means yet. Will keep searching. Also feel the author very keen to use unusual and seldom read words - does he really think with those words or are they just for effect... We shall see.

Unknown said...

Derived from french meaning a leisurely stroll.
Sharon

poox said...

I"m so glad not be alone on the meaning of "flaneurial" Apparently some understand it to mean someone who wanders around observantly... but I'm open to more definitions. Enjoying "The Hare" although it is a bit slow to start and as I"m not familiar with this bit of history or particularly good at French I have to admit I struggle. Have to admit de Waal's writing is lovely, though.

Natch said...

Like all the rest, I too am reading 'The Hare'; de Waal keeps me busy goin to find out things. It's a super book, and his website is too -- pics of all the little objects.

Natch said...

Like all the rest, I too am reading 'The Hare'; de Waal keeps me busy goin to find out things. It's a super book, and his website is too -- pics of all the little objects.

Pam Tomlinson said...

Icame to this site becauses I too was reading 'The Hare..' and wanted to know what flaneurial meant. Amused to find so many others who were puzzled by the word

Anonymous said...

So what's so terrible in learning a new word?

Anonymous said...

Like all other comments, I am reading "The Hare" & came across this word which I had never seen previously. The worst part was that I couldn't find it in 3 dictionaries.
My book club is reading this book for the fall of 2013. I like it... so far.

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