SUPER WHAT?

I was thinking this morning.... it's 18 days to the end of 2020 and what a year it has been. When I tried to think of a word to describe this year, what came to mind was 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' Eh relax! I am not speaking gibberish. The word was popularised in the 1964 film Mary Poppins, in which it is used as the title of a song and defined as 'something to say when you have nothing to say'. Truly, concerning 2020, I have nothing to say.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' as 'a nonsense word, originally used especially by children, and typically expressing excited approbation: fantastic, fabulous', while Dictionary.com says it is 'used as a nonsense word by children to express approval or to represent the longest word in English.' Actually, it is not a nonsense word but a compound word said by Richard Lederer in his book Crazy English to be made up of these words: super- 'above', cali- 'beauty', fragilistic- 'delicate', expiali- 'to atone', and -docious 'educable', with all of these parts combined meaning 'Atoning for educability through delicate beauty.' Hmm!

Many cannot wait to see the end of 2020 which has been aptly described as unprecedented. To most people, this year has been nothing but overwhelming and if asked to describe this year in one word considering their peculiar circumstances, many may not find the right words may create a new word.

I thought about the families of the 1.57 million people that have died from Covid-19 this year alone worldwide including 1,919 deaths in Nigeria. They entered 2020 with great expectations and never dreamt they will lose a loved one. Covid came and broke their hearts. If you hear them in their shock and sorrrow describing 2020 as  'Supercovidfatalityexpialidocious,' please do not conclude they are speaking nonsense. It's their way of saying something when there is nothing to say.

What about the millions that have lost their source of livelihood this year from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic? The International Labour Organisation (ILO) had estimated that about 25 million people will lose their jobs worldwide as a result of Covid-19. When asked, these people will probably describe 2020 as 'Supercovidmakemejoblessexpialidocious.'

Now it's the holiday season and many countries are battling the second wave of the pandemic. Despite the subdued celebrations, some had gone the whole mile to deck their homes and surrounding with boughs of holly, having wreath on their front door to give a warm welcome to guests and fill us with a sense of wonder and nostalgia. For these, they had made the conscious decision to subjugate the pain of Covid-19 and other negative experiences to the dustbin of oblivion and decided to showcase the beauty of the holiday season. As I walked through beautifully decorated houses and streets in my estate, all I could say was 'Supersantamerrychristmasexpialidocious.'

Whatever it is you have seen this year, you are better off than 1.6 million people that Covid-19 killed. Therefore make shakara and celebrate. Splash the colours and finish 2020 on a high. 1st Thessalonians 5:18 says 'In every thing give thanks.'

Happy Sunday.

.....Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.