wend one’s way, to
Wend one’s way, to - To go in a particular direction. The verb to wend, which survives mainly in this cliché, here means “to turn.” (It had numerous other meanings, all now obsolete.) This term was known in the late fourteenth century, appearing in the anonymous Cursor Mundi. It was used for about two hundred years, was largely forgotten, and then was revived in the early nineteenth century. Numerous writers used it, including Dickens: “As she wended her way homewards” (Nicholas Nickleby, 1839).
Similar Terms:
- Make one’s way: To proceed or progress in a certain direction.
- Set off: To begin a journey or course.
- Pathway: A route by which someone travels.
- Navigate one’s way: To find one’s route or direction.
Proverbs & Expressions:
- “Every path has its puddle.” - Meaning every journey has its difficulties.
- “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu
Fictitious Quotes:
- “As I wended my way to the cupboard, I found my dog had wended his way with the last cookie!” - Miss Marple’s Lost Pet, by Penelope Pupkins
- “Wending in circles? Sometimes it’s just a stylish way of finding out where you don’t want to go.” - Morning Meanderings, by Arwen Pathfinder
Educational Tidbits:
- Synonyms: Proceed, travel, move, path.
- Antonyms: Halt, stop, cease, end.
Fork in the Path Literature:
- Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - The revival counts on Dickens for an exciting encounter with resurrection of “wend.”
- The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (Poem) - Choosing paths and the roads that beckon us.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - A tale imbued with following one’s unknown path.
Movies That Chart Uncharted Paths:
- The Lord of the Rings series - Destiny shaping adventures of an unexpected journey!
- Into the Wild - Taking the path less trodden.
- Forrest Gump - Paths wended through destiny!
Songs that Lead the Way:
- “I’ll Keep You Safe” by Sleeping at Last – A warm guide for abundant paths.
- “Road to Nowhere” by Talking Heads – Groovy melodies signpost unexpected routes.
Until next time, follow the twists and turns with curiosity in your heart and a dictionary close at hand, for the journey is as abundant as the words we wend.
👣 Fictitious Author: Eleanor Scribe 📅 Date: 2023-10-05
