Gratuitous

Gratuitous, an adjective, is Latin in origin from the year 1650.  It means to give voluntarily, unjustifiably without expectation of anything in return.  To give freely without benefit or to receive something without obligation.

To me the word gratuitous represents pure acts of kindness. To give without expectation and to receive without obligation does not seem to come natural to most of us.  Did you receive an unexpected gift during the holidays and felt obligated to buy and give a gift in return? Or did you give a gift with expectation that you would receive something in return?  We live our lives filled with responsibility and obligation and may at times miss the beautiful spirit of gratuitous giving.

Pinterest has a page called Gratuitous cuteness.  A free gift we can all enjoy! 

http://pinterest.com/charming1/gratuitous-cuteness/

“To want friendship is a great fault. Friendship ought to be a gratuitous joy, like the joys afforded by art or life”  Simone Well

Happy New Year!

Myrmidon

Myrmidon (noun) is a faithful follower or subordinate who carries out orders unquestioningly and unscrupulously.  The word originates from the legendary Greek people, Myrmidons or Myrmidones, who were highly skilled and courageous warriors commanded by Achilles during the Trojan War.  

Example:
  
The boss offered more promotions and raises to her myrmidons than those workers who occasionally questioned her and provided alternative solutions.

Other Uses:

“With unabated ardor the vindictive man of lay and his myrmidons pressed forward.” W.H. Ainsworth.

“An impediment and a slaver,” she said, involuntarily allowing her own teeth to emerge in a long-suppressed expression of hostility as she used the maneuvering thrusters to dislodge the hated second myrmidon.” Simon and Schuster: Star Trek: Typhon Pact: Seize the Fire

Firmament

Firmament, a noun (origin 1250-1300 Middle English) refers to the arch of the sky or heavens.  It also refers to a field or sphere of interest or activity.   In the bible, in the book of Genesis it says that God created a space or firmament to separate the waters from above from the waters below and called the space heaven.  

A few examples for use in a sentence:

“The stars shine brightly across the firmament"  

“Oprah is more than an institution.  She is a bright star in the firmament.  I can’t imagine a greater success than she has enjoyed”  Phil Donahue

The spacious firmament on high, 
With all the blue ethereal sky, 
An spangled heavens, a shining frame 
Their great Original proclaim. 
Th’unwearied sun from day to day
Does his Creator’s power display;
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand 

Joseph Addison - In The Spectator

Wassail

Wassail a noun (1275 earliest known use), is Old Norse ves heill (be well) meaning to toast or give a salutation to someone wishing them health.  It also refers to a festive occasion where there is too much drinking. 

The Middle English word waes hael (good health) referred to an ancient southern English drinking ritual.  Hot mulled cider was the traditional drink for wassailing to ensure a good harvest of apples for the next year. Over the years, wassailing became most associated with the Yuletide in the tradition of singing Christmas carols going from house to house. Today the drink is somewhat equivalent to beer and wine.      

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town - A Christmas Poem in Olde English by Author Unknown

Wassail! Wassail! all over the town,

Our toast it is white, our ale it is brown,
Our bowl it is made of a maplin tree;
We be good fellows all, I drink to thee.

Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,
God send our maister a happy New Year;
A happy New Year as e'er he did see
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

Here's to our mare, and to her right eye,
God send our mistress a good Christmas pye:
A good Christmas pye as e'er I did see
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

Here's to Fill-pail (cow) and to her long tail,
God send our measter us never may fail
Of a cup of good beer, I pray you draw near,
And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.

Be here any maids? I suppose there be some,
Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone
Sing hey, O maids, come trole back the pin,
And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.

Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of the best:
I hope your soul in heaven will rest:
But, if you do bring us a bowl of the small,
Then down fall butler, bowl, and all.

Wassail! Wassail! All Over The Town

Here are a couple of wassail recipes, one of which is non-alcoholic.  Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/wassail-recipe/index.html

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Wassail-Punch-I/

 Happy Holidays!