Word of the day - GIGIL

The word today is Gigil

I have added this to our list of "Words Of The Day" because it is literally a word newly accepted into "official" English usage as, for example the German word, SCHADENFREUDE. This is an import into the English language from the Philippines. Here is what it means.

Giggle is not new but gigil is

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - MAELSTROM

The word today is Maelstrom

Maelstrom is a noun and means the following:

- A situation of great turbulence, confusion, destruction or upheaval

- A violent and powerfully destructive whirlpool of water

Original 1919  illustration by Harry Clarke

Maelstrom is originally a Dutch word, first recorded in 1588

Maelstrom morphed from "grinding stream", its original meaning

From a raging whirlpool, Maelstrom has become more nuanced 

In modern parlance a Maelstrom is not good to be in, or near

A maelstrom is an uncontrollable and chaotic situation to avoid

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Truism (to preserve sanity or perspective)

If you can neither control or influence a situation, don't worry about it.

Personal thought - For those of us who occasionally think the world will fall in on them, such is the maelstrom embracing the world and its once stable countries, I give you another  piece of  good advice inspired by dad, implying that it may be better to live in ignorance with your sanity then take onboard what are basically other people's woes. 

A friend said that to put your head in the sand, Ostrich-like, is to invite someone to take your ass, but I'd still rather hang on to my head.

N.B. This truism is similar to this one.

Remember: Grp. Capt. John "Paddy" Hemingway

Dubliner John Hemingway's peaceful death on Monday 17th March 2025, aged 105, formally closed a very important chapter of UK history (perhaps also the world). He was the last surviving RAF fighter pilot who fought throughout the entire Battle Of Britain, a battle for supremacy in the skies over England in the first year of  WW2. His death reminds us of Europe's collective debt of thanks to all allied combatants of the brief but very intense Battle Of Britain.

Despite being injured and shot down 4 times, he and relatively few fighter pilots (100s) and their support personnel, prevented the expected invasion of England by the NAZI forces of Germany. The significance of this battle will never be underestimated, for had the NAZIs endured, the subsequent history of Europe (certainly) and then the world would have promised misery, subjugation and "elimination" for millions of people.

"Paddy" served the RAF from 1938 to 1969 and rightfully will hold the honour of being "one of the few", now the last of the few; though John said he was most proud to be the last surviving Irishman of that battle .

John at the start of his RAF service

RIP Group Captain John "Paddy" Hemingway DFC (17/07/1919 - 16/03/2025)

Yahoo! have written the best obituary to John, the the BBC did OK.

RING

There's a ring of truth upon my finger

protecting me from the past.

A ring of contentment white with age

forevermore to last.

A sign of fidelity

confirming reality,

in a groove of mutated skin,

proving my tears

after all these years,

are only wept for you.

There's a ring of truth upon my finger

fusing my soul to yours.

A golden truth, for all to see,

a bonding force twixt you and me,

a cover for still youthful skin

a proof of love, through thick and thin.

MARRIAGE Married BETROTHED Life Partner LAURENCEAUX England YONEL

Remember: Gisèle Pelicot

Sometimes it is good to remember that "little" people(s) of the world often achieve or survive many things, only to slip down the cracks of history, back into obscurity. Here is a French-born woman, Gisèle Pelicot, who bravely gave up anonymity in order to facilitate her unswerving determination to have her horrific abuse, by her husband and the men of a whole village, made known to the public (now world-wide). She has dignity and determination for justice that many should admire.

To start to understand her and her story start here.

Gisèle's is an extraordinary female abuse case, with the twist being that for decades her husband had regularly drugged her in order to film village residents raping and defiling her unconscious self, luckily without recollection by her. It was only the chance discovery of over 22,000 videos on her husband's computer that initiated the trial of a whole village.

Gisèle Pelicot (An dignified and inspirational survivor)

Gisèle has stated that she wants to move on from this very public ordeal; she has divorced her abuser, reverted to her maiden name and relocated within France to hopefully enjoy the simple pleasure of life amongst her family and remaining friends. Having shared her moment in history I believe she now wants to find a route back into obscurity, but with her current fame will she and her immediate family be able to do so, for a family rift has developed prior to appeals being heard in courts that she is determined to attend as a witness.  

With the end of her court case she made a final dignified statement. Best wishes Giséle.

N.B.

Her husband got 20 years prison and half the village (-named here-) got from 10-15 years each; her daughter Caroline Darian said their father should die in prison.

Where are those videos now I wonder and will Netflix make yet another "human interest docudrama" film?

Gisele's trauma is opening the eyes and ears of many, asking difficult questions about modern society  as similar cases were uncovered in the UK and yet another abuse scandal was exposed in France, though it was the opposite of Gisèle's case, with one person systematically abusing many others; paedophile doctor Joel Le Scouarnec's trial revealed much, especially the apparent indifference of the public and of those around him who knew of his crimes. I have to ask, what else is going on?