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Word of the Day | Dudgeon


Sometimes, I simply love the villains who show their anger outright rather than hiding it behind a dangerous mask. Not every villain is good at their job, whether it's a leadership role or that of a follower, and when frustration hits, villains often show it through fits of anger or storming off in high dudgeon.


In fact, basically any character - or person, for that matter - can easily show frustration even without meaning to. Some people are very good at hiding how they feel, while others - like myself - are not. I'm sure I've had more than my fair share episodes of frustration and anger in just the last month, which is probably why I sometimes enjoy seeing it in the characters I read.


Dudgeon | dʌdʒ.ən: noun: If you do something in high dudgeon, you do it angrily, usually because of the way you have been treated

The interesting fact about dudgeon is it's only really used one way: in an idiom. In high dudgeon simply refers to reacting to something with anger, frustration, or indignity due to something that was said or done to you recently. I find this strange, limiting, and frustrating in its own right, as dudgeon is such an interesting word.


Don't get me wrong, I love idioms! They are fun to use, and can even be fun to create for fantasy environments. To reference a meaning or interpretation without directly saying it can be a fun and creative freedom of expression. However, to use a word only for an idiom greatly limits that word's ability. Sadly, that is simply the nature of language sometimes.


Dudgeon | də-jən: noun: a fit or state of indignation —often used in the phrase in high dudgeon

Merriam-Webster also included the archaic and obsolete definitions, which included wood that was specifically made for dagger hilts. However, that definition has since been considered outdated in our modern society.


The use of dudgeon is the idiom, but in fairness, it was the first time I had come across it. In fact, I was so unused to the word that I had read it as dungeon originally. I had to do a double take and spell it out in my head before pronouncing it aloud and then looking it up. I was impressed and deeply satisfied with such a word before finding out that it was really only used the one way. Still, it's a great example of the perfect use of the idiom.


"Blood'n'skulls, I've got better things t'do than stand here chuckin' stones all day. Where's the rest o' this lazy lot, eh? Stuffin' vittles or layin' about sleepin', I bed. Well, I'll soon liven their ideas up, the dirty layabouts!" He stalked off in high dudgeon.

Such a long quote, I know, but I needed the monologue to go along with the idiom, as it's just so fitting. I imagined his squeaky voice cracking every few syllables as well, which would only add to his quick temper.


Anyway, do you agree with the limiting way dudgeon is used, or would you try to use it in other ways? What words would you prefer to use in the place of dudgeon? Let me know all that and more, and until tomorrow, happy reading!

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