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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Blog Challenge "D"

I've been meaning to tell you where this blog challenge is coming from.  I joined it on this site: http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/.  Like I mentioned before, bloggers basically have to sign up, post something about each letter of the alphabet during April (every Monday through Saturday which equals 26 days.)  It's been fun so far and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.  :-)  So without further ado . . .

D is for: Defenestrate


Defenestrate is a verb meaning "to throw (a person or thing) out of a window."  My favorite part about this verb is in the parenthesis (literally).  It cracks me up that the distinction is made that to defenestrate can mean throwing either a thing or a person out a window.  LOL.  You don't want to be the direct object of that verb!  (I know, that was nerdy . . . don't judge.)

Take a brief moment to reflect on anything you've defenestrated over the years.  I don't think I've ever thrown any people out the window, but I do recall a few objects over the years.  I've moved many times throughout college and since I almost always lived on the second or third floor, the window was the quickest way to move unwanted things downstairs to carry to the trash.  :-)  Anything good you'd like to share?

13 comments:

walk2write said...

Fenestrated I'm familiar with as a medical term. Defenestrated is an odd one, though. I can't remember ever intentionally tossing anything or anyone out of a window, but I will admit the thought crossed my mind now and again.

Gregg Metcalf said...

Great term! Always glad to learn a new word. But having been taught early on not to litter, I don't think I have thrown anything intentionally out of a window.


Gregg Metcalf
Colossians 1:28-29

Gospel-driven Disciples

SueH said...

One thing I do remember chucking out of a window was a net curtain.

The reason why I threw it out: Our first home, after we married, was an upstairs flat. Returning home after a weekend away, I ran up the stairs to the kitchen to put the kettle on for a cup of tea and thought "gosh, it's sunny outside, so why does it seem so dim in here?"

Looking at the window I saw the net curtain absolutely festooned with flying ants ! eeeeuw! I gently pushed the curtain to one side with the handle of a wooden spoon and reached for the latch. The I reached up and unhooked the curtain wire and flung the whole lot out of the window and down into the garden - right into hubby's face!

It was thirty years ago and I'd forgotten about that - thanks for reminding me! (SHUDDER!) ;-p


SueH I refuse to go quietly!

Dannelore said...

This was definitely one of my favorite words in high school. I don't know if you ever watch Angel, but there was a very dramatic scene where he threw some random bad guy out a window. Anyway, my friends and I were discussing this scene when our Latin teacher (who also watched the show) walks by and says "Did you guys see the defenestration scene last night? Wasn't it amazing?" We stared blankly until he defined it for us.

From then on it was how we jokingly threatened each other. Instead of "Ugh, I'm gonna kill you!" It was, "Keep it up, I'm gonna defenestrate you!"

Great choice of words, can't wait to see what you have in store for tomorrow

M.J. Fifield said...

I first heard the word in an episode of Dark Angel- an old fox show staring Jessica Alba. A bad guy was thrown out the window and the even bigger badder guy said, "that's defenestration."

Haven't forgotten it since.

Cricket McRae said...

Hilarious. Thanks for sharing this word. I can't think of a time when I actually defenestrated anything, but I can certainly think of a few times when I would have liked to!

Leigh said...

A classmate of mine once defenestrated another classmate in the middle of an exam. That was pretty funny.

Cole Garrett said...

@ Jess Whaaaaaaat?! Do tell!

mfr214 said...

I once used the word defenestration in a report, in a metaphorical sense - with the meaning of getting rid of a particular practice. I was asked to change it as it was felt to be a bit flamboyant for the British public sector!

The word has been in use for many years - well before Angel - notably in relation to an incident known as the Defenestration of Prague which happened in 1618, during the Thirty Years War in Europe, though I don't know if it would have been given that name at the time.

PS I'm enjoying your little project so far!

Pantone Swatches said...

I'm going to have to tell my cousin about this one. Our favorite bar to go out to is on a second level. On the fourth of July, this female wasn't being particularly nice to anyone around her, so in his less than sober state, he defenestrated her purse, and threatened that if she didn't calm down, he'd defenestrate her, too.

Tara Tyler said...

duh. I use that word all the time. You should see my driveway.
Wait, did I say that out loud? I mean, great new word. Thanks!
Happy D Day!

umbrellalady said...

Great work - some days I'd like to defenestrate my whole family...but most of time I prefer just to hug them.

Abhishek said...

I once defenestrated a old brick out of my window and it hit a poor puppy!!

That puppy is my beloved pet, till date!!


with warm regards
CatchyTips for Writers

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