Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A to Z Challenge: U - Ululation

Ululation

We're getting so close to the end. It's going to feel very strange, to not have these easy posts to write every morning. To not feel obligated to visit as many blogs as possible each day.

If you're taking part in the challenge, then you'll probably want to prepare for the reflections post on May 7th (see the badge over there on my sidebar).

ul·u·la·tion [uhl-yuh-ley-shun] n. the act of howling, wailing, or lamenting loudly

Synonyms: I don't think there are any real direct synonyms for this word, but the internet claims they are: howling, wailing

Etymology: 1590s, from L. ululationem (nom. ululatio) "a howling or wailing," noun of action from pp. stem of ululare "ululate," a reduplicated imitative root (cf. Gk. ololyzein "to cry aloud," Skt. ululih "a howling," Lith. uluti "howl," Gael. uileliugh "wail of lamentation," O.E. ule "owl").

41 comments:

Creepy Query Girl said...

wow. Just saying the word sounds like a yodel. Totally fitting.:)

Marta Szemik said...

I think after the challenge we should all ululate at once as a sign of unity and achievement. I can't believe we only have 5 letters left after today.

ShaunaKelleyWrites said...

I've never heard this word! It's fantastic.

Old Kitty said...

I love choral/musical ululation! Take care
x

S.A. Larsenッ said...

This is another great word, Matt. ;D

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Our Emma-Pup ululates a LOT, but especially when my daughter plays the recorder.

Donna K. Weaver said...

lol As soon as I saw the word I heard it in my mind. I can't do it myself though.

farawayeyes said...

Hah! I love to go out and howl, especially on a full moon night. I bet your not surprised.

As a matter of fact, I'm gonna howl loudly when we reach May 1. This has been fun kinda, but I'm fried.

Rick Daley said...

I thought that was just the thing that hangs down at the back of your throat.

Lynn Proctor said...

haha, i couldn't help but see the above comment--me too :)

Zan Marie said...

I have always loved this word. A bit onomatopoetic, don't you think?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

But it's one of those clever words that will stump people!

Dani said...

So is it considered ululation when I heavily sigh or scream with my mouth closed? Or in other words - my stress relieve mechanisim's so I don't "beat" a kid.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Looking forward to the Reflection posts.
Loved your post today.

Yvonne.

Anonymous said...

I thought you might do a post on that thing that hangs in the back of the mouth and looks like a pink punching bag.

Kristen Wixted said...

You were just waiting for U to use that word, weren'tcha?

Traci Kenworth said...

Good one.

Eric W. Trant said...

I haven't used the word (that I recall), but I've always liked it. I would probably substitute howl or some other similar word, because I don't like using uncommon words, but you're right, there is no good substitute. The other words need modifiers to capture the same meaning.

- Eric

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

I just looove that word - so expressive... But hardly ever used, I feel...

Melissa Sugar said...

I have learned another new word. I like this one.

Sarah Ahiers said...

Yeah i mean, i think wailing comes close, but for me, wailing suggests sadness, whereas ululation is just the sound

Unknown said...

Oooo, good word. Slightly onomatopoeic too :)


Jamie
Fellow A-Z Buddy
Doing a monumental blog catch-up
Mithril Wisdom

Jessica Bell said...

That is really hard to pronounce! PS: no reflections post for me. I'm participating in a book launch for a friend.

Bryan Russell said...

I've been ululating a lot at work today.

Nancy Thompson said...

I have 2 sled dogs, a husky & a malamute, and they do this ALL. THE. TIME. Seriously. I call it singing! Even the word sounds like singing.

DayDreamer said...

I think I'll also ululate when this challenge has finished. if enough of us do it, do you think we'll be heard around the world? If anyone lives in Switzerland or Austria, they could just yodel instead.

Brinda said...

What a great word!

S. L. Hennessy said...

That is such a terrific word. I love how it sounds, as well as what it stands for.

Christine Rains said...

I love that word. It's so fun to say!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I've never even seen that word before.

Sub Radar (Mike) said...

As a music blogger, I cannot thank you enough for adding this word to my vocabulary haha.

Anonymous said...

I see that word and think ululating, and I think Middle East, possibly even Native American, not animal.

Unknown said...

The word does kinda sound like the meaning of the word. It's a fun word to say.

Andrew Leon said...

Easy posts! Bah on that!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I love the sound of this as I repeat it...:)JP

Wendy said...

Come May 1 I'll be ululating over having to think on my own what to write next. I've really enjoyed the focus A to Z has given me.

Wendy said...

OH, PS -- does everyone else actually SEE a badge on the sidebar? I see a clear box with a small red X in the upper left corner.

Anonymous said...

I had forgotten about that word. Thanks for the reminder, as it is not only worth of the attention, but I hope to find a reason to insert it into conversation very soon!

Steve MC said...

So it all goes back to owls. A regular onomatopeia.

And Ololyzein should be a Greek heavy metal band.

Teresa Cypher said...

Glad I stopped by. I had no idea about the reflections post. :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Matthew .. it's a great U word - which needs more exposure .. especially at foreign funerals where they wail ..

Thanks for this .. Hilary