What’s this? A Word Nerd Wednesday post? I know, I know. It’s been aaaages, but I’ve been so busy and it’s been a while since a word leaped out at me like vertiginous did this week.
It was actually the sole bright spot in the book I was reading at the time, which ended up not being my kind of story. But when I came across this word it struck me instantly as the kind of word that should be used more often. And so here I am. Using it more often. 🙂
Want to know what it means?
vertiginous (adj)
1 a: characterized by or suffering from vertigo or dizziness;
b: inclined to frequent and often pointless change (inconstant)2. causing or tending to cause dizziness
3. marked by turning (rotary), eg the vertiginous motion of the earth
As you’ve seen from the definition above, it is related to the word vertigo—not a nice sensation if you’ve ever had the misfortune to experience it. The root word vert comes from the Latin meaning turn, and you’ll recognise it in many other words such as invert (turn to the opposite orientation), extrovert (someone whose focus is turned outward), introvert (someone whose focus is turned inward), and even advertise (to turn someone’s opinion in favour of something).
Now, it’s one thing to know the word and use it to talk about, say, vertiginous heights. But what I really love is when an author uses a word like this in an unexpected way, and that’s what happened in the book I was reading when I came across this word. I’m not going to name the book, because it really isn’t one I can recommend, partly for content and partly because I didn’t find it that well written—with the exception of this sentence, of course!
“Fen sighed as she took Vanessa’s arm and steered her mother and her vertiginous heels away from the cracks in the pavements…”
Isn’t that fantastic use of that word? I love it!
Heard the word before – no. Worn vertiginous heels – definitely not. Felt vertiginous – sorry to admit yes, on too many occasions. Love the word though! Glad you gained something beneficial from your time reading.
Yes, I thought of you when I mentioned vertigo. xo
No to both questions! The sentence is fabulous! Thanks for the info–now to sneak this into a conversation somehow!
You don’t like tottering around in vertiginous heels, Winnie? Why ever not? 😉