Jan

27

Carminative

Filed Under C 

The sound of the word evokes the colour ‘carmine’, and the scent and flavour of ‘caramel’, and, by some extension I cannot explain, the effect of light shining through some clear, thick, rich, lusciously-flavoured and scented liquid. Perhaps one that is added to carbonated to water, to make an ambrosial drink, but whose flavour is so perfectly balanced that one might sip it undiluted.

I know what it means: ‘relieving flatulence’. I looked it up as a child, almost as soon as I came across it. No matter, it still sounds gorgeous, and the reality adds a layer of humour to the whole thing, and makes it an even more favourite word.

(It turns out that I share this identical experience with a character in ‘Chrome Yellow’, a book I read not that long ago.)

mjx

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