Word For 2014: Alignment

 

Two-Dogs-Copulating-Jan-Fyt-1640-1642
Two Dogs Copulating by Jan Fyt, 1640/1642

Our local poet, Molly Fisk, whom everyone in town refers to as “our-local-poet-Molly-Fisk,” all run together like that, encourages us to choose a word for the year.  The whole community gets into it.

Molly’s word is “empty.”

Others have chosen “acceptance,” “morph,” “elevate,” “see,” “humility,” “let go (yes, you can have two words), “euphoria,” “love,” “balance,” and “refine” to name just a few.

My word is “alignment.”

I wanted it to be “fruition.”  But, like a bad graft, it didn’t take. 

Molly advises that you to open yourself up to the word and not rush it.  She says that your word might not find you until a few months into the new year.  It might not find you until October.  So don’t stress.

Once you find it, look it up:

align·mentnoun  \ə-ˈlīn-mənt\

1:  the act of aligning or state of being aligned; especially:  the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or electronic device) in relation to each other
 
2a :  a forming in line

 

2b :  the line thus formed

 
3:  the ground plan (as of a railroad or highway) in distinction from the profile
 
4:  an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another “new alignments within the political party”
 
Then look up the etymology.  This is where things get interesting.

alignment (n.) 1790, “arrangement in a line,” from French alignement, from aligner (see align). Political sense is from 1933.

align (v.) early 15c., “to copulate” (of wolves, dogs).

Whoa. This should be interesting.

Happy 2014. 

What is your word?

P.S. Molly Fisk is a writer, teacher, and poet who lives in the Sierra foothill town of Nevada City, California.  Her latest book, Blow-Drying a Chicken: Observations from a Working Poet, is on its way to global domination via local bookstores across the country.  She recently blossomed into an accomplished painter (her flowers in mason jars are my favorite). Listen to Molly’s radio essays at KVMR.  And view her spectacular Pinterest boards here.

Comments

8 responses to “Word For 2014: Alignment”

  1. Molly Fisk Avatar

    wow, moira – thank you for the kind words! and double wow about wolf copulation. this is why an annual word is so much more interesting than resolutions. i can’t wait to see how that etymology unfurls during your year! maybe you will be tangled in a love affair with the Wolf of Wall St.

  2. Moira McLaughlin Avatar

    Know any local wolves? Or loyal pups? I am single…
    Moira McLaughlin
    Dog Art Today
    https://dogarttoday.com/

  3. erin Avatar

    Love this Moira… you’ve got me thinking about my word and good to hear I don’t have to have it set in stone today.

  4. Moira McLaughlin Avatar

    No pressure. Happy to discuss options : )
    Moira McLaughlin
    Dog Art Today
    https://dogarttoday.com/

  5. nancy@gooddogart.com Avatar

    synchronicities- is that the word in plural or does it only work as a singular? I’m anticipating multiples of syncs.

  6. Pamela Barclay Avatar

    This is a grand idea I’ve been doing for over 20! years…
    This year’s word is Content which means ” in a state of peaceful happiness.” Which is great in itself but if you pronounce it slightly differently it also means “things that are held or included in something.”
    So I hope my year is filled with the contents of peaceful happiness : )
    Alignment! Who knew it had a doggy background?

  7. Moira McLaughlin Avatar

    Oooh…I love it. Yes, go for the plural. Wishing you lots of syncs in the new year.
    Moira McLaughlin
    Dog Art Today
    https://dogarttoday.com/

  8. Moira McLaughlin Avatar

    Very cool. I am new to this tradition, but I love it. Content also is an Internet term for stories. For example, “He has a lot of great content on his blog.”
    Keep me posted. As I will with my “doggie style” 2014.
    Moira McLaughlin
    Dog Art Today
    https://dogarttoday.com/

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