And it is also the mark of Zorro! I think that even if there more letters, none would take Z’s place at the end. XYZ is also a memorable trinity, mainly due to algebra. But for me, also because of the Yu Gi Oh anime and bootleg cards we were collecting in primary school.
That was such an interesting read. I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone so beautifully articulate their fascination with a single letter. I’ve always had a soft spot for the letter F myself.
I used to write secret letters in Greek alphabet back in high school, made my own Greek style cipher. Reading this piece reminded me of that.
Thank you, Genechelle, that means a lot! And I love that you made your own Greek cipher in high school—there’s something powerful about inventing your own code for the world. My desk mate and good friend had a made-up nonsense language called “Retronorwegian,” which he used to send letters to the Duke of Retrarka. He’d seal them with a wad of chewed gum, pressed down like a sigil. And F is a great choice: sharp and breathy, full of force and fire. Also, in my head cannon, F is E's brother.
That reply is such a gift, honestly! I love the sound of “Retronorwegian”. Feels like it belongs in a novel somewhere. And the gum-sigil? Genius. Force and fire, that’s so on point. And now I won’t be able to unsee E and F as siblings, bonded by alphabetic fate.
Glad you enjoyed my little story. My friend grew up to be a historian and theologian. We were very creative even when we were horsing around in class. If I ever write an autobiographical bildungsroman, Retronorwegian is definitely going to be featured.
This is a fantastic piece on the letter 'Y'. I have not considered these mediations before. Now I will approach the letter differently. Now it occurs to me that the letter does haunt the corners of words. Thanks for the mention, and I agree that 'vampyre' recalls ancient entities uncorrupted by media.
And just to clarify, I love vampires, vampyres, and vamps. I was just being punny :p
I knew you were being punny—and it was a good one, because it stirred this little meditation. I would’ve replied much more briefly in the chat, but I was out with my son and had to keep an eye on him. Still, the unsent answer lingered in my mind, made friends with a few other thoughts, and here we are... :)
I’ve never considered the letter Y in this way but I enjoy considering Y in this way now. I’ve always been drawn to the letter S, I just really like writing it.
S is so satisfying to write, but not in cursive, which I was forced to use in primary school. When I reached fifth grade, I was thrilled to finally write my own name the way I actually wanted to.
Quite an interesting question! I am not sure, maybe it is Z in English because it is the final. The end. Why can there be no more letters?!
And it is also the mark of Zorro! I think that even if there more letters, none would take Z’s place at the end. XYZ is also a memorable trinity, mainly due to algebra. But for me, also because of the Yu Gi Oh anime and bootleg cards we were collecting in primary school.
That was such an interesting read. I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone so beautifully articulate their fascination with a single letter. I’ve always had a soft spot for the letter F myself.
I used to write secret letters in Greek alphabet back in high school, made my own Greek style cipher. Reading this piece reminded me of that.
Thank you, Genechelle, that means a lot! And I love that you made your own Greek cipher in high school—there’s something powerful about inventing your own code for the world. My desk mate and good friend had a made-up nonsense language called “Retronorwegian,” which he used to send letters to the Duke of Retrarka. He’d seal them with a wad of chewed gum, pressed down like a sigil. And F is a great choice: sharp and breathy, full of force and fire. Also, in my head cannon, F is E's brother.
You should absolutely write that bildungsroman! Retronorwegian deserves its own chapter, I’d read every word.
Definitely will pay my dues to the Duchy of Retrarka.
That reply is such a gift, honestly! I love the sound of “Retronorwegian”. Feels like it belongs in a novel somewhere. And the gum-sigil? Genius. Force and fire, that’s so on point. And now I won’t be able to unsee E and F as siblings, bonded by alphabetic fate.
Glad you enjoyed my little story. My friend grew up to be a historian and theologian. We were very creative even when we were horsing around in class. If I ever write an autobiographical bildungsroman, Retronorwegian is definitely going to be featured.
This is a fantastic piece on the letter 'Y'. I have not considered these mediations before. Now I will approach the letter differently. Now it occurs to me that the letter does haunt the corners of words. Thanks for the mention, and I agree that 'vampyre' recalls ancient entities uncorrupted by media.
And just to clarify, I love vampires, vampyres, and vamps. I was just being punny :p
I knew you were being punny—and it was a good one, because it stirred this little meditation. I would’ve replied much more briefly in the chat, but I was out with my son and had to keep an eye on him. Still, the unsent answer lingered in my mind, made friends with a few other thoughts, and here we are... :)
I’ve never considered the letter Y in this way but I enjoy considering Y in this way now. I’ve always been drawn to the letter S, I just really like writing it.
S is so satisfying to write, but not in cursive, which I was forced to use in primary school. When I reached fifth grade, I was thrilled to finally write my own name the way I actually wanted to.
I hated writing s in cursive. It doesn’t look nor feel right writing it. I could never get mine to look decent lol.
One of the worst offenders, comparable only to Z.
What if you raise your hands in the air like you just don’t care?