For today’s Weird Word Wednesday, let’s dive into the art of paper cutting and examine scherenschnitte, kirigami, and papel picado with help from #Merriam-Webster.com.
I am always amazed at how these artisans can create such intricate patterns and delicate designs. Their art is truly worthy of hanging in museums.
I’ve never attempted one of these designs, but I’m sure it would look like I tried to cut a snowflake out of a piece of construction paper with a pair of blunt-edged scissors. I’m all thumbs when it comes to paper cutting. Instead, I will have to settle for appreciating words to describe this art.
Cultures around the world have their own form of paper cutting, but let’s learn about just three of them today.
scherenschnitte
Pronunciation: [ SHAYR-uhn-shni-tuh ]
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: Literally, “scissor cuts”.
Language origin: German
kirigami
Pronunciation: [ kir-i-GAH-mee ]
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: Literally, “to cut paper”.
Language origin: Japanese
papel picado
Pronunciation: [ puh-PELL pee-KAH-doh ]
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: Literally, “perforated paper”.
Language origin: Spanish (Mexico)
Source: #weirdwordwednesdays#papercutting#spellingbee#pamelarobertsHowell