Taking it Overboard

WWoW 2/22/12
Fulsome (full-sum) adjective- Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech. Complimentary or flattery to an excessive degree. Of large size or quantity, generous or abundant. She was almost embarrassingly fulsome in her appreciation.
Origin: Middle English compound of ful "full" + som "some". Sense evolved from "abundant, full" (c.1250) to "plump, well-fed" (c.1350) to "overgrown, overfed" (c. 1642) and thus of language, "offensive to taste or good manners" (1663). Since the 1960s, however, it commonly has been used in its original, favorable sense, especially in fulsome praise.
I think that the course "fulsome" has run is very interesting, don't you? Positive, negative, over the top, then back to positive. It ran from being abundantly satisfied, to Biggest Loser contestant status. It started by almost referring to food, transitioning over time to an almost exclusive speech or behavior description. Anyway, I think we should aspire to let our praise of God, our spouse and our children be fulsome. You can't go too far over board. But "smarmy" is also a synonym, so the balance may be in the sincerity of our praise and appreciation.

Pinterest modified-source

This was my creative project last week. I borrowed the idea off Pinterest. They used the picture frame and dry erase idea for daily listing reasons you love someone. I adapted it.=) I have it hanging in our back entry way so we can be reminded of our word as we go up and down the stairs, in and out the door, and to and from the bathroom. Hopefully it won't grow to be a fulsome sight.=)

"Folsom" Prison Blues would fall into the homonym category. A totally different meaning.=)

Linking up with
Boerman Ramblings Pinterest Challenge