Thursday, March 31, 2016

A-Z Challenge Day 1

Friday April 1

It's day one of the A-Z Challenge. This year I have chosen to use obscure or unfashionable words within my stories. Today's neglected word is:-

Absquatulate (v) (abˈskwa-CHəˌlāt) To discreetly leave a gathering or party without informing the host.



It started badly. I didn’t want to be there anyway. Parties are not my thing, especially when you hardly know a soul. I sort of stand alone, nibble food, sip wine, sway to the music and occasionally smile at a passing reveller who more often than not gives me a blank stare in return. So this time, I decided to be positive. Be the life and soul of the party. Make a mark!

Unfortunately, the red wine I slopped on the cream carpet was not exactly the mark I had in mind. Unperturbed, I grabbed the hand of a young lady and swept her into the centre of the dancing hoard. I was however, somewhat overenthusiastic and she slipped from my sweaty grasp.  The poor lass flew across the room, shot through the kitchen door, and collided with a food-laden table scattering much of its fare hither, thither and beyond. The floor instantly became akin to a skating rink with cake, dips various, and cream trifle beneath the feet of the hapless feeders. Everyone started slipping and sliding, some even landed on their backsides. Carnage!

I decided the time had come to absquatulate. I slipped away to the front door and looking over my shoulder, I gingerly started opening it hoping that my escape would go unnoticed. Quite why a latecomer chose that very moment to arrive I really don’t know but arrive he did and he barged the door unaware that I was the other side. I found myself squashed against the wall with a bleeding nose surrounded by shards of glass. I hope that mirror wasn’t valuable.

Casualty departments are quite unpleasant places in the early hours of a Sunday morning. Even more so when the young lady sitting beside you is covered in food and nursing a broken wrist.


Tomorrow's story is called 'Nothing ventured' and it contains three neglected words.


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69 comments:

  1. Awesome start! Useful word to know, especially for introverts :)

    Best,
    Nilanjana.

    Madly-in-Verse

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  2. This is definitely a word I have never heard before. I could see the same thing happening to me when trying to leave a party absquatulate; maybe that's why I don't go to parties :)

    betty
    http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/

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  3. you have done it again, a brilliant story. wish the word stays in memory

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  4. lol. Brilliant story. I love the word, I'm sure I've done it a few times, especially as a drunken student.
    @Raesquiggles from
    The Quiet Writer

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    1. I'm pretty sure we all have! Good to see you back.

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  5. Whoopsie indeed! If it were me the lady would still be trying to retrieve her hand, attached to the broken wrist, from my gaping cake-hole! ;-)
    AJ at Ouch My Back Hurts

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    1. I couldn't put it better myself Aj! Nice one.

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    2. Haha! Sounds like a good idea to keep an eye out for a back door to absquatulate! Great post!
      Sudha from
      Everyday Muse

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    3. I always do! You never know when you might need it!

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  6. OH MY GOD!! I would love to absquatulate in a few parties but certainly not in this way! LOL :D
    What an awesome start, Keith! Absolutely loved this story and the word too! :)

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    1. Thanks so much Shilpa. Great to see you back at the Challenge.

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  7. Fantastic! I've learnt a new word. We always call it doing a "silent swerve" (leaving quietly). Well done.

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  8. Wow what a night :-). Great start to A-Z :-)

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  9. Brilliant!! Absolutely felt like being at that party. ANd trying to escape after all those antics !!! Impressive start !

    @Subhmohanty from
    And Life Unfolds

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  10. There's always something new to learn. Definitely a neglected word. I have come across it for the first time. Great start and to be very honest, I always tend to absquatulate from noisy, crowded parties. An apt word to be known by introverts. :)

    And Keith, I loved the story too. Cheers! :)

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  11. This is wonderful. In our family we call it the Blackie shuffle after an uncle who was famous for absquatulating

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    1. Hey, love it!I must remember that - it's easier to remember than my word.

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  12. An interesting piece of work. I loved it. An awesome start. looking forward to the posts :)

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  13. :D Great story! i didn't even know there was a word for it and i do it frequently...

    Thank you for visiting my page! I love your theme and will come back for new obscure words

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    1. Thanks marie. Looking forward to seeing at my place and yours!

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  14. Lovely use of an obscure word! Looking forward to a plethora of underused vocabulary. :)

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    1. I have heaps up my sleeve Juli! See you around.

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  15. I love your writing style, Keith. I thought I could use this word for when my brother just vanishes from family gatherings, but does it count if he sometimes slams the front door? Nothing discreet about that.
    Rosa
    @RosaT_Author
    Rosa Temple writes...

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    1. I fear it does not Rosa. I can think of a rude word for that though *********!

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  16. Loved the word as well as the story!!!
    Your vocabulary is excellent, felt the need of dictionary while reading...
    Will be waiting for the next one...

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    1. Not long to wait Aneesh! Thanks for dropping by.

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  17. Lol, comedy of action! Great start. Happy A to Z.

    My blog: www.iluvfiction.com

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  18. To your character: better absquatulations next time. To you: well done!

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  19. Interesting story and going by your theme I will have 26 new words in my kitty and a bonus story to read with each. Great going!

    @w0rds4u from As Time Flies

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    1. More than that Ira, there are 3 B's for you tomorrow - but only one story!

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  20. I have definitely absquatulated a few times in my life. Can't say I'm sorry.

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  21. Great little story, Keith. I've learnt a new word for something I've been guilty of doing! I shall look forward to more stories... and more new words!

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    1. Thanks Susan. With all these admissions I' m surprised there is anyone left to party!

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  22. Fantastic word! Love it. And love your short story made me laugh out loud. Thanks for visiting my blog at kellymartin.co.uk

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  23. Just amazing... this word is truly discrete... wish I had known before.. loved the flow of words in the story

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  24. hilarious! Love your story- off to a good start indeed! Cheers!

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  25. Awesome! Can hardly wait until tomorrow. I’m on the A to Z Challenge list at #1340 today. Best wishes! - Darla M. Sands
    Awakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen

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    1. Darla, what can I ay? You have been a loyal follower since last years Challenge. I can't thank you enough.

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  26. This is the best word ever! And great example of why it is needed. LOL.
    @ShonnaSlayton from
    Author Shonna Slayton

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  27. Brilliant theme and post! I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of them :)

    @LunaNoctis from There She Goes

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    1. ....and I'm looking forward to seeing you again. Thanks so much.

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  28. Ah, absquatulate (or would it be absquatulation?)--the introvert's best friend. Many a time I've wanted to high-tail it out of a party like that. :-)

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  29. First time to your blog and I love the theme you have chosen. A wonderfully and entertaining story. Great way to start the challenge. I can't wait to read more. @sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles

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  30. Ha, that was great! I am somewhat of an expert at Absquatulating :)

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  31. We're looking at houses and I have definitely seen a few bosky ones! Love your theme, my friend. Keep 'em coming!


    Cherdo
    Cherdo on the Flipside
    "Favorite Characters, Favorite Lines" on the A-to-Z Challenge 2016

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    1. I certainly shall! Best of luck with the house hunting

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  32. Excellent use of the word. That's what I like to do with most parties I get dragged to.

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  33. I love your theme for this year, obscure words are fascinating, especially when used correctly, and I know you will! This was a funny story, about what would happen to me if I tried for once to be the life of the party! Great beginning to the A-Z!
    Josie Two Shoes from Josie's Journal

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    1. I hope I'll use them correctly but I won't make any promises Josie!

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