Today’s Dictionary.com word of the day has multiple applications depending on who you ask. Fard as first presented is a noun as well as a verb, originating in the mid 1400’s or so, from the old French term farder, meaning “to apply makeup” or as a word for the makeup itself. An archaic definition is also cited; its meaning, “to gloss over.”
It is a simple, sort of silly sounding word that truly gets interesting when Google is consulted.
The urban dictionary, for example provides a myriad of definitions ranging from the combination of a certain expletive with the word “hard” (meaning something “very hard”), to the description of crude bodily functions. Most memorable is its application when describing a fart so powerful it vibrates nearby body parts (paraphrased here to avoid utter crudeness!) Think about that when you are applying makeup (aka fard) to your face!
But we’re not finished. Wikipedia elevates the discussion with a loftier take:
“Fard is an Islamic term which denotes a religious duty commanded by Allah (God). The word is also used in Persian, Turkish, and Urdu (spelled farz) in the same meaning. Muslims who obey such commands or duties are said to receive hasanat, ajr or thawab each time for each good deed.”
I think it’s safe to assume this application of the word does not include farting!
But there is more! According to another wiki reference, in India a fard is a document that provides revenue details for property. It is not proof of ownership per se, like a deed, but can provide documentation when attempting to establish owenership.
What an interesting little word. To be safe I should probably stick with dictionary.com’s initial definition for my haiku. But I might slip in a few references of its other meanings just to make this challenge FARD!
Fard – A Haiku
A daily practice…
Farding one’s wan face with fard
It’s only skin deep.kat ~ 27 May 2016
like mercury colliding... 
May 27th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Ha! That’s a fabulous word. Hugs
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May 27th, 2016 at 1:43 pm
…and with so many uses!
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May 27th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
I was so surprised to see the word here and yes it is a common word used in the middle east! Very interesting Kat! xx
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May 27th, 2016 at 3:15 pm
Interesting that it has so many meanings!
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May 27th, 2016 at 3:22 pm
yes! I had never heard of anything else but the meaning I knew for years! Interesting for sure!
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June 4th, 2016 at 10:18 pm
How do you think of these things?
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June 4th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
The words are from dictionary.com, so it’s always a surprise to me on Friday morning. Then I always do a google search to see if there is more to the word than the simple definition. There is always a story behind the word. I think this is why I love words so much! Thank you for asking! 😊
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June 4th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
I have noticed that over time the meaning of words change. I love old dictionaries.
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June 4th, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Yes. And with technology even faster. Remember when a tweet was a bird sound? Or a cloud was something in the sky? I too love old books. They are fascinating to me.
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June 4th, 2016 at 10:19 pm
I meant to add that your facility with words and their meaning is amazing 😊
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June 4th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
Thank you! My brain never stops! ☺️
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