I like words.
Many of my friends do, too, and if you’re reading this blog there’s a good chance you feel the same way about them.
I’m not one of those people who “collects” words, nor am I the person who can pull out an obscure term at the drop of a hat (or at the occasion of any other cliche). Rather, I’m one of those people who enjoys etymology. I like knowing why a word is what it is, since there’s usually a reason.
Quick aside: If you were a bug person who wanted to know where an insect’s name came from, would you be an etymological entomologist or an entomological etymologist?
Getting back on the path of this story, I was out hiking the other day (see what I did there?) when I was struck with the need to look up a word. My wife and I were on a favorite trail here in north Alabama, enjoying a beautiful afternoon, when we came upon a red-bellied woodpecker hanging from a branch about 15 feet above the ground.
The bird flew from one tree to another, then touched down on three more in quick succession. One to another to another to another to another before flying off out of sight, in just about the amount of time it took you to read this sentence.
I thought, “Flitting–that bird is flitting.”
Flit. Flitting. Flitted.
That’s an unusual word, and in my limited experience it’s almost always used to describe the flight of a bird. Also, it’s not a word that I often hear spoken. I’ve read it a lot, but not heard it a lot. Anyway, right there, far enough from civilization to see a red-bellied woodpecker flit from tree to tree, but not so far from civilization that I didn’t have a cell signal, I stopped walking, pulled out my phone, and looked it up. I needed to know: what’s the story of flit?
It turns out it’s got Scots/Northern English/Old Norse roots (fleet and flytja) and it’s related to “fleet.” From watching that woodpecker, I’m not surprised, as my view of it was fleeting, indeed.
My curiosity satisfied, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and moved quickly to catch up with my wife. I didn’t quite flit, but the thought of doing so brought a smile to my face.
Yet There is Method 
Funny to see inside your head about this odd word, and equally funny that I happen to have used it in the poem I posted tonight. Thanks for sharing.
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That is quite a coincidence! Thank you for reading, and thank you for your poem as well.
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Tim I love this post. I could see the red-bellied woodpecker flitting as you described it. You, sir, are a great user of words.
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Thanks, Donnetta–I appreciate your reading and commenting!
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I love the word “flit.” It’s…to me… a visual onomotopoeia. And. As far as your aside? “Quick aside: If you were a bug person who wanted to know where an insect’s name came from, would you be an etymological entomologist or an entomological etymologist?” – well, for me, the geeky hair-splitter, and in my humble opinion, I’d say you’d probably be the first one if bugs are your life and words were your hobby. Sort of like the “greenish yellow” scenario…
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A “visual onomatopoeia.” I like that, and I think you’re absolutely right!
I agree with you as well concerning the etymological entomologist, but it was still a fun question to pose. I’ve amused myself with that thought for years, and only recently discovered the t-shirt that reads, “People who can’t distinguish between etymology and entomology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.” I might just have to buy that one.
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Now THAT is a classic!
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It is nice to wonder about words and their origin. Your love of words also brings enjoyment to your readers. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, Jonathan, for your comments. I love words and am constantly amazed by their origins!
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Tim, I love this!! I, too, looove looking up the origin of words. Not only did I imagine your little friend flitting, but your ending made me imagine you flitting to catch up with your wife. I laughed pretty hard at that point – LOL. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Thanks, Britt! Watching me attempt to flit would be even funnier than imagining it, I’m sure!
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Your posts are always so thoughtful, Tim. Thanks. I am a lover of words, too. But, then again, you probably could have guessed that since I consistently read your blog. I like word roots, since I took Latin in high school, and knowing the roots took my vocabulary a long way in nursing school. I still love knowing the meaning of a particular word and like you, often look them up. My husband has some trouble pronouncing odd words (such as vertebrae, for example). It is kind of a joke between him and me, as he still asks me to spell or pronounce something. This, of course, is very different than knowing a word root – something I am much better at than spelling!
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Carol, you definitely come across as a lover of words! With your nursing and environmental education/biology interests, I’m certain your knowledge of Latin has been a blessing! I’ve not undertaken a structured study of Greek and Latin roots, but I’ve picked up a lot over the years and they’ve helped me immensely (even with my spelling!). As always, thanks for reading and for your comments!
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Thanks, Tim! I do love words and vocabulary is a huge part of my teaching when I get to do so. I always love introducing new words, where they came from and their meanings to students!
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