Dec 16, 2023·edited Dec 16, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden
I was totally whelmed by midday today (thank you so much for that word!!!!!!!!!!!!), not OVERwhelmed, but almost - hanging on by a thread. So the Terrier and I went walking along a country road, just us and the bush birds and a sprinkling of rain and I powered up the hill, knee and glutes notwithstanding. When the Terrier and I go to the top, I felt the whelm sliding away, dissolving like a mist, and then we walked back down with me a much lighter person. The word is now my word of the week and I shall carry it in my pocket on a label and stick it to my chest every time I'm asked to add something more to that Bloody Christmas To-Do List!
Hahaha. Perfection! Such relief. Merry Christmas Prue. And Merry Christmas Rebecca. Two of my favourite ladies that I’ve never met. Hugs and best wishes for the year ahead. 🤗😘🥰
Prue, that's absolutely it - hanging on by a thread is just the perfect way to put it! Hurrah for the walk lightening your load - how wonderful!
YES to labelling yourself with the word! I'm writing 'whelm' on a Post-it RIGHT NOW and shall be sticking it on whatever's in my line of sight in this busy run-up to Christmas! 😊😊😊
Now, I know: I’m a denizen of the Realm of Whelm. Having a little too much to do helps keep the mind from wandering into the muck, but stops me short of all-out panic. Like that ski day I took last Monday, to show my schedule who’s boss. I’m (barely) in charge, here!
Absolutely THE STORY I needed to read today. Thank you for defining "whelm" and its delightful state of being. At 74, I've found it a lot harder to do all my to-dos, yet I've achieved a pleasant state of whelm. Now I have a word for it to say to people should they dare challenge my lack of energy, pride, and accomplishment. Instead of telling where they can spend their eternities, I'll just tell them I'm whelmed and happy to be so. Let them figure out what that means. teehee
One of my favorites! Thanks for bringing it back up to the top, Rebecca. I loved the German lessons. Ich habe das gelesen mit Vergnügen, mein schatz !! ( How am I doing? ha ha ha) My mother, as you know, was of German descent. She spoke what she called "plattdeutsch" as her family was from Russia. I get very wistful when I hear the language and often watch German films. You wove a great story here! Thanks
Ohmygosh! I loved this one. At the moment I am whelmed as well, so I can relate. I suspect that many of us are teetering on the border between whelmed and overwhelmed!
It has long intrigued me that we move straight into under- or over- without ever being whelmed. And also of interest that whelmed starts us off at with a sense of pressure or urgency. So what is the settled, no need at all to fret, word? Copacetic? Comfortable? Carefree? I don't think I'm there very often, certainly not this time of year! :)
Ooooooh, the antonym of 'whelm'? Such a great question, Elizabeth! And you've supplied me a word I'd never come across before - copacetic. I've just learned that it means 'in excellent order' - perfect!
And I'd agree with you - such a state of affairs is hard to come by at this time of year! 🎄
I think I love whelm. I want to live in Whelm. Perhaps we could be neighbors. You described it just right! Also, Texas has it's own compound words, like "leaveout" and "slapworeout". "LeaveOut" = I'm going home now". "SlapWoreOut" is "I physically/mentally/emotionally can not take any more; my cup is full". That can happen now and again, especially at Christmas time. 🎄
Hi Rebecca, 1966/7. The last 10 months of my soldiering, spent in Germany, determined to learn the language..... Oh boy did I struggle with those compound words - Until I realized that they could be clearly understood when one looks at the concepts behind them. The example that opened the door for me was "Fernseher"; Fern comes from Entfern (far away) and Seher from sehen (to see). Now think of the English compound of Tele-Vision ! A perfect literal translation, n'est ce pas, Peace, Maurice
Whelmed! A good word, Rebecca. Something to do with the end of the year and starting anew has me in this state mentally and emotionally. Thank you for another wonderful post with a bonus German lesson too! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yeat to you.
Thanks, Stella! I had fun writing my way around whelm! This time of year always threatens to overtake me - but I'm clinging to the right side of the line! 😊
A finger hat!!! 😭 Oh my gosh, the visual is adorable. Love the "verbal paperchain" examples you shared. And how have I never considered the meaning of whelm? New favorite word alert?
You have the ability to write about anything at all to entertain, teach, and comfort. Hope you have a lovely holiday and looking forward to reading your future posts in 2024! ❄️
As a “Middle of the Road” sort of chap I will certainly aim to be just whelmed from now on! AP.
It’s a move I would recommend! 😘
I was totally whelmed by midday today (thank you so much for that word!!!!!!!!!!!!), not OVERwhelmed, but almost - hanging on by a thread. So the Terrier and I went walking along a country road, just us and the bush birds and a sprinkling of rain and I powered up the hill, knee and glutes notwithstanding. When the Terrier and I go to the top, I felt the whelm sliding away, dissolving like a mist, and then we walked back down with me a much lighter person. The word is now my word of the week and I shall carry it in my pocket on a label and stick it to my chest every time I'm asked to add something more to that Bloody Christmas To-Do List!
Toodles!
Hahaha. Perfection! Such relief. Merry Christmas Prue. And Merry Christmas Rebecca. Two of my favourite ladies that I’ve never met. Hugs and best wishes for the year ahead. 🤗😘🥰
Awwww, and Merry Christmas to you too, Beth! ♥️🎄⭐️
Prue, that's absolutely it - hanging on by a thread is just the perfect way to put it! Hurrah for the walk lightening your load - how wonderful!
YES to labelling yourself with the word! I'm writing 'whelm' on a Post-it RIGHT NOW and shall be sticking it on whatever's in my line of sight in this busy run-up to Christmas! 😊😊😊
Lol
Now, I know: I’m a denizen of the Realm of Whelm. Having a little too much to do helps keep the mind from wandering into the muck, but stops me short of all-out panic. Like that ski day I took last Monday, to show my schedule who’s boss. I’m (barely) in charge, here!
The Realm of Whelm - ah yes, that's where we belong, Peter!
Hurrah for that ski day - sounds absolutely perfect! ⛷️
Dear Whelmizen, kepp compounding the mirth. Please, Maurice
Absolutely THE STORY I needed to read today. Thank you for defining "whelm" and its delightful state of being. At 74, I've found it a lot harder to do all my to-dos, yet I've achieved a pleasant state of whelm. Now I have a word for it to say to people should they dare challenge my lack of energy, pride, and accomplishment. Instead of telling where they can spend their eternities, I'll just tell them I'm whelmed and happy to be so. Let them figure out what that means. teehee
Great idea, Sue! Throw them off a little.
Oh Sue, I'm so pleased - and yes, tell the world that whelmed is what you are (and proudly so!).
Thank you so much for your lovely words!
Been thinking of giving my place a name, Paint a wooden signboard "Chez Whelminham" Peace, Maurice
🤣
This is a bit off topic but reading this post reminded me of your adventures with your travel atlas. :).: https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/p/look-look-look-dreaded-lurgi-edition
Wow, thank you so much for linking to Mike's post, Olga - absolutely BRILLIANT! 🤩
One of my favorites! Thanks for bringing it back up to the top, Rebecca. I loved the German lessons. Ich habe das gelesen mit Vergnügen, mein schatz !! ( How am I doing? ha ha ha) My mother, as you know, was of German descent. She spoke what she called "plattdeutsch" as her family was from Russia. I get very wistful when I hear the language and often watch German films. You wove a great story here! Thanks
Vielen Dank, Sharron - das ist sehr lieb von Dir! 😘 And you're doing pretty darn well, since you ask!
Frohe Weihnachten, liebe Sharron! 🎄
Und ich wünsche dir frohe Weihnachten, mein Freund.
♥️
Ja sicher, Sharron, Ich habe es auch immer sehr gerne eine neues sprache zu lernen, und damit viele spass machen. Bis zum naechsten, Peace, Maurice
Viele Dank, Maurice, und frohe Weihnachten
Ohmygosh! I loved this one. At the moment I am whelmed as well, so I can relate. I suspect that many of us are teetering on the border between whelmed and overwhelmed!
Happy holidays to you and enjoy the turkey.
LOL Julie - let's be whelmed together! It's not a bad (or unexpected!) place to be this time of year!
Happy holidays too, to you and yours! 🍗
Last time I teetered on the border, the Customs officer nearly arrested me
😆
It has long intrigued me that we move straight into under- or over- without ever being whelmed. And also of interest that whelmed starts us off at with a sense of pressure or urgency. So what is the settled, no need at all to fret, word? Copacetic? Comfortable? Carefree? I don't think I'm there very often, certainly not this time of year! :)
Ooooooh, the antonym of 'whelm'? Such a great question, Elizabeth! And you've supplied me a word I'd never come across before - copacetic. I've just learned that it means 'in excellent order' - perfect!
And I'd agree with you - such a state of affairs is hard to come by at this time of year! 🎄
I think I love whelm. I want to live in Whelm. Perhaps we could be neighbors. You described it just right! Also, Texas has it's own compound words, like "leaveout" and "slapworeout". "LeaveOut" = I'm going home now". "SlapWoreOut" is "I physically/mentally/emotionally can not take any more; my cup is full". That can happen now and again, especially at Christmas time. 🎄
Mary, I'd so happily be your neighbour in Whelm! And gosh, I'm adding 'slapworeout' to my daily lexicon right now! 😁
Hopefully it's within cycling distance
Ahh, for Mary EVERYWHERE'S within cycling distance! 🙌🚴♀️ #awesome
Hi Rebecca, 1966/7. The last 10 months of my soldiering, spent in Germany, determined to learn the language..... Oh boy did I struggle with those compound words - Until I realized that they could be clearly understood when one looks at the concepts behind them. The example that opened the door for me was "Fernseher"; Fern comes from Entfern (far away) and Seher from sehen (to see). Now think of the English compound of Tele-Vision ! A perfect literal translation, n'est ce pas, Peace, Maurice
Thanks, Maurice! My favourite of the ‘fern’ words is ‘Fernrohr’, meaning ‘telescope'.
Literally ‘far pipe’! 🙌🔭
Whelmed! A good word, Rebecca. Something to do with the end of the year and starting anew has me in this state mentally and emotionally. Thank you for another wonderful post with a bonus German lesson too! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yeat to you.
Thanks, Stella! I had fun writing my way around whelm! This time of year always threatens to overtake me - but I'm clinging to the right side of the line! 😊
Lovely, and happy festive season!
Thanks, Mya! And to you! 🎄
A finger hat!!! 😭 Oh my gosh, the visual is adorable. Love the "verbal paperchain" examples you shared. And how have I never considered the meaning of whelm? New favorite word alert?
You have the ability to write about anything at all to entertain, teach, and comfort. Hope you have a lovely holiday and looking forward to reading your future posts in 2024! ❄️
Finger hat - such a cute term, isn't it?! 🤣🇩🇪
Thank you so very much for your kind words - I really appreciate them! Have a delightful festive season, and I'll see you in 2024! 🎄