Idiom #8: In Cloud Cuckoo Land
2 Comments »18th December, 2006; Category: Idioms
This week’s idiom:
“In cloud cuckoo land.”
Origins:
This idiom is a translation of the name of an imaginary city in a play called The Birds written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes in the fifth century BC. In this city the birds built in the air.
Meaning:
Anyone who lives “in cloud cuckoo land” has lost their grip on reality. Their thoughts or words or actions seem to be divorced from the ordinary aspects of life. In everyone’s estimation they are somewhat crazy, or misguided or just plain silly.
Example:
“If he thinks he will sell his house for that much, he is living in cloud cuckoo land.”
See also mt article “What is an idiom?“
How do you use words?
Writers and bloggers need to be mindful of the words they use. It is so easy to slip into the usual ways of expressing oneself and not really thinking about the words chosen. Those who write for printed publication have learned to craft out every word carefully, editing out superfluous parts of their prose. Writers learn how to edit their writing until it shines like a new bike on Christmas morning.
Bloggers are a different breed. Often there is little thought given to the words used, there is little in the way of spell checking and editing. Coming straight from very muddled minds it results in muddled writing. This should not be so.
Words can be used so carelessly that they can become almost meaningless. They can become overused, misused or just plainly abused.
Think before using words too frequently – and edit your writing several times – as many times as it is necessary to get it right. It doesn’t matter whether you are a casual blogger or a professional writer. You owe it to your readers. You owe to yourself.
Liz Strauss has more to say on this topic on her Successful Blog. Click on the link below.
- Words in a Safety Box – by Liz Strauss
Poem #18 Mountain Rider
No Comments »15th December, 2006; Category: Poetry
Mountain Rider
It looms slowly behind him and
Grows into a mountain of glassy green.
He begins to move with it,
Slowly at first –
Then quickly and smoothly.
His body moves into balance
With the movement.
The wall of green turns
Into a tumbling white mass of snow
Toppling over green glass.
He moves his body to the left
And feels the power of the mighty
Force behind him.He leans to the right and
Darts the other way.
Then down the cascading
Wall of green-mixed snow
He slides.
With a crash the wall grows tame
And sinks timidly into its
Golden home –
Weary from its long journey.
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2006 Trevor W. Hampel
To read more of my poetry click here.Â