Sunday Rest: melancholily. Word Not To Use Today.

Melancholily really is a genuine word. It means sadly. 

So why not use sadly?

Well, it might be because you think using eccentric words is a fine and good thing (which it is, on occasion). British children, for instance, are taught to call long rare words wow words, and the poor kids have been given the impression that the use of the words harrumphed or gushed, for example, make for a more vivid sentence than the word said. 

(Which, unless you equate vivid with annoying and off-putting, they most definitely don't.)

Why else might someone use the word melancholily?

I suppose he or she might be pompous; or a show-off; or tin-eared.

Or, of course, all three.

Ah well. I suppose it might serve as a useful warning to make one's excuses and leave, mightn't it.

Word Not To Use Today: melancholily. Melancholy can mean what is now called depression, or it can mean a general tendency to lowness in mood. The word comes from the Old French from the Latin melancholia from the Greek melankholia, from melas, black and kholē bile. The belief was that low mood was called by too much black bile in the system.