A new definition for serendipity
Serendipity:
'the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for'.
'Exchanging notes with another blogger and discovering that the Welsh for Prime Minister is 'Prif Weinidog'. Yes, really. (Please, Welsh speakers, do not spoil it by confirming that it is not pronounced Whiny Dog')
'the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for'.
'Exchanging notes with another blogger and discovering that the Welsh for Prime Minister is 'Prif Weinidog'. Yes, really. (Please, Welsh speakers, do not spoil it by confirming that it is not pronounced Whiny Dog')
Surely serendipity (pace your header) can be most briefly defined as personally approved coincidence. I live in Caterham, and find it under-represented in your otherwise excellent writing.
Croydonian said... 2:26 pm
Mark - kind of you to say so. I will keep an eye out for tales of Caterham-related interest.
Anonymous said... 5:29 pm
You didn't reference who wrote the original definition. Certainly not you, as you know that "sought for" is wrong in the context.
Thank God I'm not a picky person!
Welshcakes Limoncello said... 7:08 pm
I'm Welsh but not a Welsh speaker and I think that's great!
Croydonian said... 9:05 pm
Verity - It was from Webster, which happened to accessible from the tool bar.
WL - Nice to see you hear. Glad I have not been causing unnecessary offence.
Anonymous said... 1:31 am
Croydonian, when you say 'Webster', do you mean 'Webster's Dictionary?'
Putting a preposition on the end of a sentence ending in 'sought' is wrong, because 'sought' means looked for or being looked for, as you well know.
I'm sorry to be picky, but I love our language, as do you. I hate trashy usage and I have never thought Webster's Dictionary particularly reliable, despite featuring in 'You're The Tops'.
Croydonian said... 5:40 am
Verity, yes, Webster's dictionary.
If I ever find myself heading to a certain part of North Africa - as God is my witness - I will declare 'Like Webster's dictionary, I'm Morocco-bound' to everyone in earshot. Repeatedly....
Rhys Wynne said... 1:17 pm
Christ o mighty, an on-line translatior that doesn't generate complete gibberish (on this occasion).
Weindog is pronounced "Whey knee-dog"
- sorry couldn't help myself
Croydonian said... 1:31 pm
Rhys - Much obliged. Sounds suitably Scots, doesn't it?
flashgordonnz said... 4:37 pm
'Like Webster's dictionary, I'm Morocco-bound'
A former collegue would leave the office in the evening
"I'm gonna make like a bald man. I'm outta here."
I'll get me coat.
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