Saturday 26 April 2014

Long Live The Lexophiles And Logophiles


Lexophile and logophile are words not found in the dictionary, but are terms created by writers over the years. 

Lexical: origin Greek lexikos "of words".

Logo: origin Greek logos "word".

lexophile is described as a lover of words and loves to use them in unique ways. Another word used to describe people who are fascinated by words and language is logophileone who derives pleasure from various use of words, who appreciates the nuances of different words, and who is alert to synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and homonyms, often using them for effect and often in humor.


Lexophiles/logophiles are writers who are fond of word play and explore ways in which words can sound and feel different from everyday use such as puns or compositions which play with unusual or obscure words.

Some unique sentences that have been published:

The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. 
The math professor went crazy writing on the blackboard--he did a number on it. 
A backward poet writes inverse. 
A plateau is a high form of flattery.

Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.

Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses.
When you've seen one shopping Center you've seen a mall.

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
Police were called to a day care Center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

I am a lexophile/logophile, so here are some of my own quirky sentences:

The young show horse had to wear a ponytail (okay, that's only funny if you know how much grooming is required for show horses).

The puppy was looking forward to going to church with his dogma (now that is funny).

The woodsmen saw all the trees (hilarious).

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2014

For information on my adventure kids books: http://www.dragonsbook.com

4 comments:

  1. Copyrighting your stuff. Very fancy and very smart. Good for you. I should do that. Maybe it would lend some legitimacy to my reviews. And warn
    all those waiting in line to steal my words. Yes, you are a lexilogosphile. I love these posts. You have a unique way of explaining things. Have you ever taught in an elementary school (or whatever you northerners call it up there?) You would be great at it.

    I have heard some of those sentences before. I got the ponytail on the horse. Yes, it is ute and borderline funny. The dog's dogma is hilarious! Woodsmen make me think of little red. but I get it. Love Sir Cumference. Wish I could think of one. I'd be here all night.

    If the guy who is now all right (the one that lost his left side) then everyone else must be all wrong. Right? I really like the photographic memory that was never developed - I have a photographic memory, or at least did as a kid and young adult, or is that new adult?

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  2. I think the guy who is all right knows the guys who are all wrong, but you know what, it's alright. Glad you laughed at least one of mine. Yes, you should copyright all your stuff. In Canada, copyright is automatic, but it doesn't hurt to state it on the work. There are word thieves out there.

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    1. Copyright is suppose to be automatic in US too but nothing is ever as it seems here, anymore anyway. I will try to remember. I finally got it in my head to put in the FTC box and to attribute the book and illustrations correctly. One publisher was especially particular about it. It really does look cool having that copyright notice. It says you are a pro--back off!

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    2. Yes, it does look professional, and since you are a professional, put it on your professional book review site.

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