I’m not often in a mood. You know, a bad mood. Or, as my grandmother used to say, “a foul mood.” It happens just a few times a year, thankfully. When it does, I keep my distance, from family, friends, everyone. I quarantine myself, as one saving grace and it’s the least I can do, I think … spare others. Then I chase out the pesky thing. The mood. I’m pretty sure we’ve all been there, at some point, so I’ll say just a few words.
In the 2023 online edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the entry for “mood” lists several compound and derived words, including: mood music, party mood, mood elevator, mood drug, moodscape, mood ring, and mood board, among others. I spent about thirty minutes with the OED on the word “mood” and I have to say, just seeing “mood ring” was worth the trip.
The thirty minutes, I’m also surprised to report, was enough time to divert my attention both away from and directly at the mood to at least begin to turn it. Hmm. The OED as a form of elixir? Who would have guessed it?
Something to try at home, perhaps, to see if it works for you? The next time something puts you in a mood, find a word for it — the thing that annoyed you, disappointed you, put you off — in the land of the OED. There is a free version for the basics or sign in with your public library card for a little more wandering. En français, there is “le Robert dico en ligne” (everything sounds better and seems like more fun en français … even looking up words in a dictionary … quelle surprise … not really).
All to say, in whatever language: scat, begone, mood. This room isn’t big enough for both of us. And I’m the one who lives here.
And with that … see you next week, family, friends, everyone.
a few words ... from Montréal 