Wednesday's Random Slang-o-rama: Zwodder

 This will be a short post, as I have just returned from travel and am still in a bit of a zwodder.

"A bit of a what?" you ask...

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Zwodder, according to Wiktionary, means a dull, drowsy state, or stupor. As to its origin, the Wiki entry has this to say:

From Middle English swodderen, from Old English swodrian (“to get drowsy, fall asleep”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a variant of Old English swaþrian (“to withdraw, retreat, subside”). Compare also Middle Dutch swadderen (“to be weary from drinking, stagger”).

Normally I would investigate this fascinating word further, but this week, I'll leave it at that.

Really feeling in a zwodder today.
From WikiArt: Emilie Menzel Asleep by Adolph Menzel, 1848

Wednesday's Random Slang-o-rama: Uhtceare

Uhtceare often hits me just before dawn, particularly on the mornings I have to catch a flight, and I'm sure I'm not the only one...

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An Old English noun from the 10th century (according to The Little Book of Lost Words by Joe Gillard), uhtceare is defined as "lying awake in bed feeling anxious." Hoo-boy. I can relate. And I find it interesting that folks waaaay back in the 10th century suffered from the same condition as I do (although clearly their anxiety had nothing to do with possible traffic jams interfering with flight plans).

According to the BBC (which should know), when literally translated from the Old English, uhtceare means dawn-care. BBC adds that uhtceare is "similar to insomnia (though more time-specific) in that it is a name (or noun) given to the state of being sleepless."

What a very useful word! And if you're wondering how to pronounce it, simply click here to find out...

Sleep eludes me as daylight approaches
Image by Stephanie Ghesquier from Pixabay