Make Your Point > Archived Issues > WANDERLUST

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"WANDERLUST" Pronunciation: WON der lust Part of speech: Usually an uncountable noun. Like “milk,” “rice,” and “education,” uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about “some milk,” “the rice,” and “a lot of education,” but you don’t say “a milk,” “three rices,” or “many educations.” Likewise, talk about “the wanderlust,” “such wanderlust,” “no wanderlust,” and so on, but you usually don’t say “wanderlusts.” Sorry for the complexity, but you will occasionally hear "a wanderlust" even though you don't usually say "a" or "an" for uncountable nouns. Meaning: Wanderlust is a powerful desire to travel or roam around. More loosely, wanderlust is an itching desire to "travel" from one commitment to another, like to a new job or a new relationship. Other forms: none How to use it: Talk about someone having wanderlust, or "someone's wanderlust": "He started having wanderlust when his father bought him a map of the world." "They blamed their bankruptcy on their wanderlust; world travel ain't cheap." You can also just use "wanderlust" by itself the way you would with other uncountable nouns like "happiness" or "compassion:" "They're brimming with wanderlust," "The photos of New Zealand inspired wanderlust," etc. Heidi's wanderlust has taken her as far as France and Morocco, but I enjoy the comforts of home. When his job gets too demanding, a spark of wanderlust leads him to cruise Craigslist for openings elsewhere. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "wanderlust” means when you can explain it without saying “desire” or “roam." Think of something that inspires you to travel, and fill in the blanks: "_____ triggered my wanderlust, (so/but) I _____." Example: "Movie scenes capturing the vibrant nightlife of Tokyo triggered my wanderlust, but I doubt I'll be making a trip there anytime soon." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: Messages that go through an automated translator into several languages and back into English again often end up sounding funny and garbled-- but still somehow meaningful. We’re having fun with that phenomenon this month as we play our game: Guess the moral from Aesop’s Fables after it has been translated into a few foreign languages and back again by a computer program. Some of the morals may be very familiar to you, others not so much. You don’t need to quote Aesop verbatim but rather just understand the message being conveyed. Try it out each day and see the right answer the following day.   Yesterday’s answer: The translation-babble said, “The winner will be really dealing with others.” Aesop said, “One who deals with others honestly will win the victory.” Try this one today: “When sufficient information is attached, are eliminated by the fact that it is one thing, a lie quickly painted color.” A Point Well Made: H. P. Lovecraft: “Pleasure to me is wonder—the unexplored, the unexpected, the thing that is hidden and the changeless thing that lurks behind superficial mutability.” 1. The closest opposite of WANDERLUST is A. THRILL B. CONTENTMENT C. PERFECTION 2. Be wary of _____ when romantic wanderlust takes hold. A. overlooking how good you really have it in your current relationship B. overspending on your beloved spouse C. overlooking personal growth in favor of comfortable routines Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. A