Powered By Blogger

Inspirational Reads

More Goofiness for a Sunday

June 7, 2009

Whilst perusing the hagiography for a new saint to make fun of discuss the life story of, I came across the word "thaumaturge". At first, I thought, "Hey, that's a good, silly word." And then I learned what it meant, and I was like "Holy cats! I must use this word somewhere!"

Yes, in my mind, I say shit like "Holy cats!"

Thaumaturge: noun One who performs miracles, especially healing.

The derivation is from Greek, actually, and not Latin. Thaumat is the Greek word for "miracle" or "wonder" and "-urge" comes from ergon which means "work". It's been Anglicized a bit to get to the current ending you see before you.

I think this word will actually pop up a lot (despite the definite lack of Greeks in my story); I'm thinking of making it a title. I have a character named Brandon Voskuil who is one of the first to perform healings through magical powers. I know, I know, fantasy stories suck. You don't have to read it if you don't want to. Anyway, he'll eventually, as his healing powers become more widespread and better known, become Brandon the Thaumaturge.

Of course, religious references don't make any of the various thaumaturges have any magical powers, and so religious translations often translate "thaumaturge" as just "wonderworker." Boring. Bring on the magic, says I. Fuck, it's put a loaf of bread or two on J.K. Rowling's table.

14 comments:

Scope said...

Oddly, the picture did heal my spirit on this grey, overcast day.

Eric said...

Dam, I forgot to put the well endowed photo on my post from today. Oh well, I can always come back here.

Thaumaturgy is great... Say, why out of all the possible words to describe someone using magic... did D&D pick 'magic-user'??? Effin unimaginative goofballs. *Sorry, too nerdy*

Soda and Candy said...

I knew thaum- sounded familiar. I think Terry Pratchett made up some words with it for his Discworld books with the magic university.

Cora said...

Or three. Or four. Or five.

Chemgeek said...

Divine pussy! Thaumaturgy is a good word.

Le Meems said...

LOVE that word. Holy Cats! I can't wait to use it ...

Frank said...

It's bound to put a busty redhead or two on YOUR table.

Nej said...

Cool word bonus points will definitely be awarded if you use it!! :-)

red said...

Magic is awesome. Don't let the haters tell you otherwise.

TishTash said...

Me, I love fantasy stories. Especially the one about the polar ice caps melting. Underwater World? Freaking awesome.

Kimizzy said...

I like the word. I want to read your book when you're finished... I love fantasy novels. :)

LiLu said...

What's wrong with "Holy Cats", Batman?

Some Guy said...

Dude, there was a question about this word on last night's Jeopardy! I'm not joking. The only reason I knew the answer was from reading your blog. Thanks.

Lisa-tastrophies said...

Brandon the Thaumaturge
Like it. Has a nice ring to it.