Happy Friday! Today’s word of the day is Blandishment. Originating in the 1500’s, blandishment is a noun taken from the word blandish- which means “flattering speech,” + -ment.  In addition, a sense of “attraction, allurement” (often blandishments) is from 1590s.

The Oxford Dictionary defines blandishment as: (usually blandishments) A flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something:the blandishments of the travel brochure.

If I hadn’t read the actual definition, I doubt I would come up with it. The idea ofsomething blandish does not seem superfluous or flattering. But then the word flattery doesn’t exactly blow my socks off with extravagance. Bland and flat. At the very most they allude to something that is just so-so.  What odd ways we use basic words to make something that is “all that and then some!”

I came up with several Haiku. Take your pick. Once I got started, I found I could go on and on. It’s not that I’m full of it…blandishments that is! Well, maybe just a little! 🙂  For your sake I stopped at 5!

I do hope you have a spectacular weekend wherever you happen to be. Until next Friday then… 🙂

Blandishment #1:
Sly politicians
employ two-faced blandishments
tickling our ears.

Blandishment #2:
His goal was to score,
lavish blandishments his ploy…
she saw right through it!

Blandishment #3:
Every man knows
to rely on blandishments
when asked, “Am I fat?”

Blandishment #4:
It is a known fact
blandishments will get one far…
as will flattery!

Blandishment #5:
Save your blandishments
your words mean nothing to me
you need to show me!

kat ~ 12 August 2016