Tuesday, December 22, 2015

TIP TUESDAY: LET'S USE THE CORRECT WORD

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

On Christmas Eve, some people line their sidewalks or driveways with bags of sand that have candles in them. Here's an impressive display:



What are these pretty lights called? In some parts of the U.S., including my state of Florida where many people speak Spanish, they are called "luminarias," or the more traditional term--"farolitos." Farolito seems to be especially popular in New Mexico.

When we lived on the East coast, the French-derived term "luminaires" was sometimes used, but more often, the lights were called "luminaries."

 What is a luminary?

lu·mi·nar·y
ˈlo͞oməˌnerē/
noun
  1. 1.
    a person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.
    "one of the luminaries of child psychiatry"
    synonyms:leading light, guiding light, inspirationrole modelheroheroine,leaderexpertmasterMore
  2. 2.
    an artificial light.


A candle in a bag of sand is not a person who inspires or influences others. It is not an artificial light.

Always try to use the correct word in your writing. It leads to greater clarity. 

Use luminarias, farolitos, or luminaires, depending on which word is preferred in your area.

I realize I have not answered the questions about grammar that you asked when I introduced TIP TUESDAY. You can email me at dumpedfirstwife@gmail.com about your grammatical concerns. I'm a bit off schedule because of editing I need to do and because it's time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I promise I will answer your questions, but it probably won't happen until January.

God bless you all, dear ones.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

22 comments:

  1. Hi Janie - they do look lovely those sand-lights ... I've no idea what they're called ... and usually one makes up something similar and adds 'thingies' at the end - to describe said product when in discussion.

    So before I get myself tied into knots or not do what I'm meant to be doing ... I'll a-disappear ... Merry Christmas to the Junebug household - cheers Hilary

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  2. I've only ever seen "luminaria" used as the plural. I had always assumed that the singular was "luminarium." Presumably this particular usage comes from Latin. Whatever the hell they're called, they're extremely beautiful and I love them!

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    Replies
    1. Luminaria is Mexican Spanish. Therefore, luminarias is the plural.

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  3. I had no idea what they're called. Fire hazard came to mind. Too windy up here to get away with those, I think--LOL! ;)

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  4. The village puts out luminaries for several weeks before Christmas. They are beautiful. I corrected the Chamber in their use of nouns in their advertising a few years ago, and was told what to do with my arrogance. It's part of the dumbing down of America.I can't roll water uphill.

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    Replies
    1. I had to fight for the correct usage at newspapers where I worked. The editors wanted to use luminaries. If they had, I think I would have quit immediately.

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  5. Have a Merry Christmas, Janie and a fantastic New Year! I hope you will get to take some time off to recharge your batteries and get some much required rest and relaxation.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, darling Murees! I'm so proud of you.

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  6. You say "tomato" & I say "tomahto", you say "luminarias" & I say "burning paper bags"--what the hell, they're pretty, anyway!!

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    Replies
    1. I don't mind if you call them burning paper bags. Just don't call them luminaries.

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  7. They are very pretty, but they do look like a fire hazard.

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    Replies
    1. I've never heard of them starting a fire. They were very popular in western Maryland. One of the oldest cemeteries in town had a Sunday night luminaire walk every Christmas. I had no interest in strolling among the gravestones.

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  8. I have never seen candles in a bag of cement so had no idea what they would be called

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    Replies
    1. They're in sand, not cement, and you aren't missing out on anything.

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  9. I never knew this custom until the past 3 years. The only bags I knew that would be lit up was on Halloween and that would be for someone whom you really, really disliked. When the bag was lit up and the doorbell rung, the nasty person would open the door and then stomp on the little fire only to find Dog poop on his/her shoe. This Christmas tradition is much better:) I like the Latin word better

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    Replies
    1. I've heard of the dog poop tradition but never experienced it. Which is the Latin word? Luminaria and farolito are Mexican Spanish. Luminaire is French.

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  10. Hope your Christmas is pleasant and calm. I didn't know you did editing, I'll keep that in mind as I am working on two novels, which I haven't looked at much for a while now. I say they are brewing, or fermenting, but I don't want them to get too moldy. Best wishes for 2016.

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    Replies
    1. I think brewing is a good idea, but you're right: avoid mold. I'd be happy to edit for you. I'm the kinder, gentler editor, though quite fussy.

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  11. Our neighborhood in Ohio used to do luminaria all on the same night and it was GLORIOUS! Can't get anyone to do that down here, though. Meh.

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    Replies
    1. I think it's popular in certain areas or certain neighborhoods.

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Got your panties in a bunch? Dig 'em out, get comfortable, and let's chat.