September 6th, 2012
This week my Book Depository order of The Synonym Finder by JI Rodale arrived. Many writers use an online thesaurus, but when it comes to word choice I enjoy flipping through pages. After opening the parcel I did a wriggly happy dance, which caused much excitement with Bella. She joined me and did her own puppy version.
Since I’m currently writing and thinking about an alpha, bad boy (my favorite kind of male character!) I thought I’d pick a fun word and apply The Synonym Finder for alternatives.
Thirteen Synonyms for Rapscallion
- Rascal
- Rogue
- Scamp
- Scallywag
- Devil
- Wretch
- Churl
- Prankster
- Miscreant
- Black sheep
- Reprobate
- Outlaw
- Picaroon
Do you like a bad boy hero or do prefer a more beta character? Do you have a favorite dictionary or thesaurus – either print or an online source?
September 6th, 2012 at 3:48 am · Link
Oooh! I love it and I want one. :) I’ve also never heard someone called a picaroon.
September 6th, 2012 at 4:08 am · Link
I hadn’t either, Brinda. Another word for pirate according to my dictionary.
September 6th, 2012 at 3:59 am · Link
Oh, new words. What fun. Enjoy.
http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2012/09/deana-barnharts-gearing-up-to-get-agent.html
September 6th, 2012 at 4:08 am · Link
Words are food for writers!
September 6th, 2012 at 4:27 am · Link
I’ve never written bad boys, but damn it, I think I’m writing one now. LOL.
At least he’s turning out that way. We’ll see.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:17 pm · Link
They hijack you when you’re not watching, or least that’s what I find.
September 6th, 2012 at 5:47 am · Link
You always teach me something new…Hope my comment shows up..Yesterday it wouldn’t let me post a comment on your blog.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:19 pm · Link
Glad to be of service :)
My blog seems to have been a bit weird. I need to follow up, but I’ve been busy.
September 6th, 2012 at 6:44 am · Link
I do love my bad boys! I use both a physical synonym dictionary and the online kind.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:20 pm · Link
I shy away from the online kind because it leads to procrastination.
September 6th, 2012 at 7:00 am · Link
I am a thesaurus junkie. I so love searching for a new way to say an old word/phrase. I’m going to look up this one. Thanks for the heads up and Happy Hunting :) May the odds be ever in your favor *wink
September 6th, 2012 at 11:22 pm · Link
I love my new thesaurus. It’s a good one. :)
September 6th, 2012 at 7:54 am · Link
New words are always fun, and no better way to find them than by flipping randomly through a dictionary or thesaurus. Though I like dictionary.com, there are some things you miss with the electronic format.
I have three hardcover dictionaries, the oldest of which has been in my family since 1972. There is a “student handbook” section at the back with chapters on education, English, literature, civics, math, business, the sciences, music, etc. There are also pictures in the front of all US presidents up to Nixon, and Mom started the practice of writing in each successive president.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:23 pm · Link
Your dictionaries have real history behind them :)
September 6th, 2012 at 8:29 am · Link
Picaroon is new to me.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:23 pm · Link
It was new to me too. I had to look it up.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:30 am · Link
I’d heard or read nearly all of those synonyms as some point, even “churl”. Picaroon is certainly new to me :-)
September 6th, 2012 at 11:24 pm · Link
They’re oldies but goodies :)
September 6th, 2012 at 9:34 am · Link
Fun!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com
September 6th, 2012 at 11:25 pm · Link
Thanks for stopping by, Paige.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:15 am · Link
A bad boy hero is always best.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:26 pm · Link
I don’t mind a beta for a change up now and then.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:24 am · Link
I learned something new :)
Have a great Thursday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2012/09/rockers-who-deny-politicians-and-twin-babies-dancing/
September 6th, 2012 at 11:26 pm · Link
Hi, Harriet :)
September 6th, 2012 at 11:45 am · Link
I have always loved the word “rogue.”
I have several versions of Roget’s Thesaurus on my desk, but I think my favorite is the Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:27 pm · Link
Rogue is a cool word. I have to agree.
September 6th, 2012 at 12:43 pm · Link
Oh, I am SO an alpha-loving girl! Not that beta’s don’t have their place, especially in real life.
But yeah, I’m a sucker for the big, swaggering, dominant guy.
I think Scallywag is one of my favorite words ever.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:28 pm · Link
Scallywag plays over the tongue so nicely. We used to be accused of being scallywags when we were kids.
September 6th, 2012 at 4:46 pm · Link
Great list of rascal words! I love my thesaurus. I too, prefer paging through a hard copy one.
September 6th, 2012 at 11:31 pm · Link
Sherry,
The Internet offers too many distractions, which is why I stick with my hardcover versions.