September 29, 2009 12:17:48
Posted By P & L Blog
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My favorite is quixotic. Merriam-Webster defines it as 1 : foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action. 2 : capricious, unpredictable.
The adjective entered the English language around 1790 and comes from Don Quixote, the hero of Miguel de Cervantes' satiric novel. I was reminded of it while listening to "The Writer's Almanac" while Garrison Keillor read the opening lines of "Don Quixote de la Mancha" because today is Cervantes' birthday. The hardcover version of Edith Grossman's 2003 translation ranks #11,288 on Amazon today, not bad for a book written four hundred years ago.
What's your favorite word?
Photo by ninikanka under Creative Commons license.
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