Wednesday 22 July 2015

Parergon

Parergon is work that's subsidiary to your main employment, or an ornamental accessory. Parerega is the plural in either case.

As a parergon to writing, I act as a photographic assistant (and I like to think I'm Gary's parergon, although I'm usually more wondswept than ornamental)

17 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Patsy - good word and one I hadn't heard of ... you're both I'm sure ... ornamental with a glass of vino, windswept standing on our very windy shores! My mother suddenly announced one day about 2 years into her bedridden and stroked state ... that I was her Emanuensis ... her scribe ... I hadn't heard of that either! But it was so fitting ... looks like we have good descriptive words to fit our 'bill of work' - that's not right .. but near enough!

It's still windy ... but enjoy your next travels ... and hopefully you'll come east fairly soon! Cheers Hilary

Misha Gerrick said...

Very interesting word. I've never heard it before. :-D

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

too many new words...I'm swooning.

Patsy said...

A glass of vino does improve my ornamental qualities, Hilary - doesn't help me stand up against the wind though.

Patsy said...

You may well never come across it again, Misha.

Patsy said...

Sorry, Mac. I can leave this one out the end of year test if that helps at all?

Nicola said...

I love that word, Patsy!! As a parergon to writing, I teach English and Business English. Hilary's 'Emanuensis' is also a great word. Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

That reads a bit like paragon, someone who is perfect. And I think you're Gary's Paragon Parergon. That looks a stormy sky behind you.

Oscar Case said...

Don't tell me that's July in England! Never heard the word parergon. but there's a lot I've never heard.

liz young said...

Wondswept? Is that tomorrow's word?

Patsy said...

I hope you'll try to include both on your next lesson plan, Nicola.

Patsy said...

I wonder if he agrees, Suzy?

Patsy said...

Of course it's not July, Oscar - can you see any rain?

Patsy said...

Don't know that one, Lizy? It's shorthand for 'so wonderfully windswept my ability to spell has been blown away'.

Wendy's Writing said...

Never heard this before in my life!

Patsy said...

First time for everything, Wendy.

Oscar Case said...

I don't think so, but I think I see a rain cloud.