Comments on: Word of the Day: Paramour http://www.dailywritingtips.com/word-of-the-day-paramour/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:10 -0600 hourly 1 By: D.F. Rucci http://www.dailywritingtips.com/word-of-the-day-paramour/comment-page-1/#comment-20679 D.F. Rucci Thu, 29 May 2008 19:55:26 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=488#comment-20679 Thanks for the explanation. I rarely use Paramour in my writing but now I know the full definition I think I will. Thanks for the explanation. I rarely use Paramour in my writing but now I know the full definition I think I will.

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/word-of-the-day-paramour/comment-page-1/#comment-20675 Maeve Thu, 29 May 2008 18:49:33 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=488#comment-20675 The word was originally a phrase: <b>par amour</b>, meaning "with love." Early in the 14th century it was used in prayer as a term of endearment for Christ or the Virgin Mary. By the end of the 14th century it had acquired the meanings "mistress, concubine, clandestine lover." See <a href="http://www.dailywritingtips.com/whats-a-male-mistress/" rel="nofollow">What's a Male Mistress?</a> The word was originally a phrase: par amour, meaning “with love.” Early in the 14th century it was used in prayer as a term of endearment for Christ or the Virgin Mary. By the end of the 14th century it had acquired the meanings “mistress, concubine, clandestine lover.” See What’s a Male Mistress?

]]> By: Deborah http://www.dailywritingtips.com/word-of-the-day-paramour/comment-page-1/#comment-20668 Deborah Thu, 29 May 2008 18:03:49 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=488#comment-20668 Let me offer another sense of par or "para." Paraclete refers to the Holy Spirit, who"comes along side" and stays. Paratroopers drop in "along side" of the infantry. A paramedic works along side of, and in aid to the doctor. So paramour certainly carries the idea of "along side," but I don't get the sense of it meaning less than or supplanter. I think the original meaning of paramour was a love-connection between two equals. Let me offer another sense of par or “para.” Paraclete refers to the Holy Spirit, who”comes along side” and stays. Paratroopers drop in “along side” of the infantry. A paramedic works along side of, and in aid to the doctor.

So paramour certainly carries the idea of “along side,” but I don’t get the sense of it meaning less than or supplanter. I think the original meaning of paramour was a love-connection between two equals.

]]> By: Brad K. http://www.dailywritingtips.com/word-of-the-day-paramour/comment-page-1/#comment-20652 Brad K. Thu, 29 May 2008 16:40:57 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=488#comment-20652 I think of 'para' as 'almost'. A paramedic might be an 'almost doctor' - someone that fills a significant role, but not the central role in medical care. A paramour would be, for me, an 'almost love', flawed and incomplete. Paramour is not so much 'illicit' as 'destructive, an indulgence of betrayal for momentary or temporary pleasure'. Perhaps the word paramour implies an affluent or aristocratic setting. The formality of referring to an adulterer as a 'paramour', as in, 'affair of the heart (l' amour)' - a seedy and scarcely hidden refuge of those that marry for family or monetary advantage, rather than respect and affection for a mate. I think of ‘para’ as ‘almost’. A paramedic might be an ‘almost doctor’ – someone that fills a significant role, but not the central role in medical care.

A paramour would be, for me, an ‘almost love’, flawed and incomplete.

Paramour is not so much ‘illicit’ as ‘destructive, an indulgence of betrayal for momentary or temporary pleasure’. Perhaps the word paramour implies an affluent or aristocratic setting. The formality of referring to an adulterer as a ‘paramour’, as in, ‘affair of the heart (l’ amour)’ – a seedy and scarcely hidden refuge of those that marry for family or monetary advantage, rather than respect and affection for a mate.

]]> By: Ray Ward http://www.dailywritingtips.com/word-of-the-day-paramour/comment-page-1/#comment-20645 Ray Ward Thu, 29 May 2008 15:02:13 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=488#comment-20645 Down south, we often confuse "paramour" with its homonym, "power mower." Then again, it's great when you can get your paramour to cut your grass. Down south, we often confuse “paramour” with its homonym, “power mower.” Then again, it’s great when you can get your paramour to cut your grass.

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