Welcome to Wondrous Words Wednesday, a great meme for Word Nerds who want to expand their vocabulary. Check out Kathy’s Blog for links to more fun words.
Since last week’s word was dark (who remembers what “iniquitous” means?), this week I’m sharing something light-hearted.
My youngest son, Eli, has great comic timing. Often, at the end of the day, when I’m exhausted, he whisks away my grumpy mood with his silly stories and risible expressions.
risible \’ri-zə-bəl\ from Latin risus, from ridere, to laugh; a)capable of or disposed to laughing b)arousing or provoking laughter c) associated with laughter, as in risible muscles (the ones around your mouth that you use when laughing, called the risorius muscles). Ridiculous and deride also come from this Latin root.
Word Nerd Workout
Can you come up with a synonym for risible? Better yet, share a risible comment or joke that made you laugh this week.
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
Spread the word on Twitter: Word Nerd Word: risible = provoking laughter, via @juliatomiak
Julia
I did not know the meaning or origin of risible. How interesting that its root comes from the muscles around the mouth. And I suppose deride has the same root because of the sneering expression you make when deriding someone?
They all, including the name for the muscles around the mouth and the verb deride, come from the Latin verb that means “to laugh”. The full definition of deride is: to laugh at contemptuously or to subject to ridicule. There’s the connection! Thanks for stopping by.
I would never have guessed the meaning of that word! I think comical could be a synonym of risible.
Comical is a great synonym. Thanks Kathy!
Nice picture of Eli and good word.
I like this word! I remember risorius from anatomy days – but had never heard this word. I love the connections you make here! Makes me want to study roots or something 🙂
Yay! Happy to get you thinking. Your posts are always so inspiring to me. I’ve seen some risible expressions in your photos! 😉