Termagant

Termagant is an interesting island word. The word originated in the Middle Ages when it designated a fictitious deity popularly believed to be worshiped by Muslims. The Termagant was a character frequently portrayed in medieval morality plays as a violent, overbearing character in long robes.

Eventually the word came to mean a violent, overbearing, quarrelsome, or shrewish woman. On Ocracoke the word's meaning shifted once again. It designated a mischievous child. It is a word seldom heard on the island today. Maybe some of our local readers will be able to find occasion to reintroduce the word to our community!

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's story about volunteering for turtle patrol with the National Park Service. You can read her story and see her pictures here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072809.htm.