Locked inside her growlery she complained, “Why did this happen yet again? I start out with good intentions then it breaks down to a brabble. There’s no use trying to yell but it that’s how it ends.”
Scattered across the floor were cables, power packs, and other paraphernalia, the remains of her foozle fumbling for what was needed. It wasn’t found.
Once again she pressed the “on” button. The mobile came on briefly, stated it had low battery, beeped and switched off. Again her frustration at losing her charger descended into futile brabble.
The screen was blank, ignoring her protests.
Ross's Writing Blog 
Lynda Dixon
August 24, 2011 at 08:06
Oh I know the feeling so well! It was really clear what the words meant – shame they’ve been taken out of use! Enjoyed reading this.
Ross Mannell
August 24, 2011 at 22:12
Thanks for the comment.
I was unfamiliar with the words so it was enlightening to make use of them as best I could.
Anna Halford
August 24, 2011 at 21:53
Again, great use of old words in a modern context. Shame they’ve been dropped; maybe I will carry on using them anyway. Another enjoyable read.
Ross Mannell
August 24, 2011 at 22:18
Thanks for the comment.
English, being a dynamic, living language is under constant change as words pass in and out of common use. The addition of words to a dictionary is logical but I’m not certain whether the removal of words could be said to be logical. They were part of our language and could perhaps be left in a dictionary with an annotation stating the word is archaic. 🙂
Lisa (Woman Wielding Words)
August 25, 2011 at 01:31
This sounds so familiar. I love that you used archaic words to describe a modern situation.
Ross Mannell
August 25, 2011 at 05:32
Thanks for the comment.
Archaic words in a modern situation with a mobile phone but the frustration with something inanimate is older than the words. I could imagine such an encounter when a person working on a stone tool chipped it incorrectly and had to start over. 🙂 I enjoyed this challenge to use unfamiliar words and the challenge to use them in 100 words.
Sally-Jayne
August 25, 2011 at 04:31
I can really identify with the frustration this piece – nicely written.
Ross Mannell
August 25, 2011 at 05:39
Thanks for the comment.
I think we’ve all had an experience where we have felt like having an outburst against something incapable of listening and responding. Wait a minute… no, I’m not talking about a child. 🙂
Mrs Milton
August 25, 2011 at 21:16
Hi Ross,
Love this post it makes me want to write and express all fustrations like this!!
I have a group of students that are researching WOW words at the moment. They are exploring texts and using them in their writing. We are going to use this post and explore some of the WOW words that you have used.
Hope you don’t mind! Thanks
From Mrs Milton
Ross Mannell
August 25, 2011 at 23:02
Thanks for the comment.
It would be a great pleasure to think something I’ve written can be of use to others. Writing is a hobby when I have time. It’s something I enjoy. Writing can have the mind engaged in the lives of the created characters when writing something longer than 100 words. 🙂
I hope your students come up with great ideas and many wow words.
Frankie Parker
August 26, 2011 at 22:46
What a great use of the words for a modern problem. Just shows that they could still very much be used.
Ross Mannell
August 26, 2011 at 23:17
Thanks for the comment.
Words both archaic and modern can be used if we feel motivated. I suppose if we trend an archaic word it may be renewed unless we make a foozled attempt. Oh well, that’s just me sitting in my growlery. 🙂
Susan Mann
August 29, 2011 at 05:59
Very good piece. You can feel her frustration.
Ross Mannell
August 29, 2011 at 06:09
Thanks for the comment.
I suppose very few of us haven’t felt the frustration of technology problems at some time. While much can make life easier, tech is prone to problems. 🙂
jfb57
August 30, 2011 at 02:56
I love the way you have used old words for a modern device. BTW – that’s always happening to me -nthe low battery. I NEVER brabble of course! 😉
Ross Mannell
August 30, 2011 at 08:53
Thanks for the comment.
I know this has happened to me. I keep a box of spare power supplies collected over time yet always seem to have none of the one needed. Such is life and technology. 🙂