The Difficulty with Mogi-
The combining form –mogi- was used to construct some interesting words — not an abundance of them, but a few rare ones worth knowing. It comes from the Greek μογισ (mogis), meaning with toil and pain, with difficulty.
Mogigraphia (alternatively, mogigraphy) is writer’s cramp; it is also used to designate cramped writing. The adjective form is mogigraphic. A synonym for mogigraphia is graphospasm.
Mogilalia is difficulty or marked hesitancy in speaking, or defective articulation. The second half of the word comes from the Greek λαλειν (lalein), to speak. Mogilalism was a rare alternate form of the word.
Mogiphonia was defined as difficulty in producing loud vocal sounds, as in public speaking or singing, attributed to overuse of the voice. Forcefulness was lost as fatigue set in. One medical dictionary calls it a “laryngeal spasm.”
Mogitocia, according to Doland’s Medical Dictionary (1923) is difficult parturition. In Greek, τοκοσ (tokos) means birth.
SIDEBAR: writer’s cramp
Now available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts Dictionary, 2nd edition
Listen to Mike’s program in real time every Tuesday morning, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EST, by going to wtcmradio.com and clicking on Listen Now. There is now an archive of podcasts. Look under The Ron Jolly Show.
Write to Mike with comments or questions:
wordmallATaol.com
(substitute @ for AT above)
wordmallATaol.com
(substitute @ for AT above)
Visit the Senior Corner at http://seniors.tcnet.org
Comments