Welcome to another Quadrille Monday at the dVerse Poets Pub with me, Kim from Writing in North Norfolk, when we take any meaning of one word and transform it into 44 poetic words.
Today we have an unusual word, which doesn’t seem to be used much these days. It has fascinated me since I first came across it as a child: ‘eavesdropping’, meaning to secretly listen to a conversation.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary the origin of the word is an early 17th century back-formation from eavesdropper (late Middle English)‘a person who listens from under the eaves’, from the obsolete noun eavesdrop ‘the ground on to which water drips from the eaves’, probably from Old Norse upsardropi, from ups ‘eaves’ + dropi ‘a drop’.
An eavesdropper was someone who would hang from the eaves of a building so as to hear what was being said inside. Apparently, Henry VIII had ‘eavedrops’, which were carved wooden figures built into the eaves of Hampton Court Palace to discourage unwanted gossip and demonstrate that the walls literally had ears.
Nowadays, eavesdropping involves hi-tech gadgets, telephone and computer surveillance, and software such as trojans. Network eavesdropping focuses on capturing small packets from the network transmitted by other computers and reading the data content in search of any type of information.
John Davies explored eavesdropping in the movies in an article in The Guardian on 21st July 2011, including Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s excellent film ‘The Lives of Others’, Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Conversation’, and Annie listening in to the Baileys’ dinner conversation in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.
Davies says: “Often it’s the person on the edge of the action that’s most in the know. Outside but absolutely in the loop. They can be malicious (we’ve seen recently that spying, hacking, thwacking, bugging, wiring, wining, dining and pocket-lining can all be used to snoop a scoop), but often they’re just an innocent who happened to overhear something they shouldn’t. And may wish they hadn’t. It doesn’t matter – whether they like it or not, they’re powerful now. You can’t forget a secret.”
There aren’t many well-known poems which include the word ‘eavesdropping’, but I found an interesting one entitled ‘Eavesdropping’ in the Poetry International Archives, which is by the Zimbabwean poet Amanda Harmer:
https://www.poetryinternational.org/pi/poem/23122/auto/0/0/Amanda-Hammar/EAVESDROPPING/en/nocache
Another, ‘Unintentional Eavesdropping’, was on a website called Power of Mind, by an unknown writer:
https://powerpoetry.org/poems/unintentional-eavesdropping
There also seem to be several on Hello Poetry:
https://hellopoetry.com/words/eavesdropping/
This week, I’d like you to take any meaning, form or compound of the word eavesdropping, and write a poem of exactly 44 words (not counting your title), including the prompt word.
Here’s how to Quadrille:
– Write a poem of exactly 44 words, including the word eavesdropping.
– Put your poem on your blog and link back to this post.
– Link it up to our Mr. Linky.
– Don’t forget to check the little box to accept use/privacy policy
– Visit other blogs, enjoy some amazing poets, and don’t forget to comment. The Quadrille lasts all week, so keep coming back for more!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Hello… I have always found eavesdropping a fascinating word… I imagine standing outside listening with cold rainwater trickling down my spine.
kim881 said:
You made me chuckle, Bjorn. Experience eavesdroppers would come prepared with a rain cape!
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Grace said:
Such a unique word Kim. Thanks for hosting and sharing a sample of the poems. I just planted some spring bulbs this morning.
kim881 said:
I love playing with unusual words, Grace, and the Quadrille is perhaps my favourite prompt, so I like to find a word that makes poets think, You are so well prepared; I haven’t thought about planting bulbs yet, I’m still waiting for my sunflowers to bloom!
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Lucy said:
Hello all. Such a unique prompt, and there really doesn’t seem there are that many poems that utilize the word. I had fun with this prompt, and I can’t wait to see more poems coming in.
kim881 said:
I’m so glad you had fun with the prompt, Lucy. I’m just trying to keep up with reading and commenting and replying to comments! It’s not far off my bedtime, though, so I’ll have to continue in the morning.
kim881 said:
Welcome to the dVerse Poets Pub this Monday. I’m sorry for the delay in getting to the pub, but the Internet is very slow here at the moment. I thought I’d never get here. Now I need a brandy, not only to steady my nerves after the panic, but also to keep off the autumn chill. Although, we are being promised more heat and sunshine in the next few weeks. Maybe my sunflowers will bloom after all! Please form an orderly queue to place your drinks orders and I will get down to eavesdropping on your poems.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I can serve you a brandy Kim… just sit down and relax -)
kim881 said:
Cheers Bjorn! I won’t speak too soon, but the Internet seems to be working at the moment, and the laptop is going at its normal speed for the time being. 🙂
Linda Lee Lyberg said:
Hello Kim- this was a tough word! Thanks for hosting, and I look forward to reading others.
kim881 said:
Not so tough as you first thought. I enjoyed your poem.
Linda Lee Lyberg said:
Yes, you’re right. Thank you.
Laura Bloomsbury said:
what an interesting pick for the prompt Kim. It’s an old-fashioned word that summoned some fun word play too
p.s. will now follow your poem links but have to say the films you mentioned interest me
kim881 said:
I love old-fashioned words, Laura, especially ones that nobody seems to use. Enjoy the poem links and and the films.
merrildsmith said:
Hi, Everyone! Quite a word to work into a poem. I still have to ponder a bit.
The Lives of Others was a wonderful movie,
kim881 said:
Hi Merril! Ponder away, no need to rush, and I look forward to reading your quadrille.
msjadeli said:
Hello Kim and All. Should be fun to write to this one. I’m visiting with my kids online right now and so will be back later to write and read.
kim881 said:
Hello Lisa! Have a great time with your kids. Look forward to seeing you later.
msjadeli said:
Thanks, Kim 🙂
lillian said:
Thanks for hosting, Kim. I liked hearing all about this unique word.
It’s a beautiful afternoon in Boston….no humidity and a breeze. I’ll read a few posts before we go for our walk along the Charles River….then come back to read some more.
kim881 said:
I had a few words in mind for this prompt, but this one stood out from the rest. I’m glad I chose it, as it has inspired some beautiful and creative quadrilles. Enjoy your walk along the river.
Gillena Cox said:
Nice prompt, Happy Monday
much 💝 love
kim881 said:
Thank you, Gillena. Happy Monday!
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Ingrid said:
Thank you for hosting, Kim. I am also in need of a stiff drink, but since I’ve sworn off alcohol better make it a mocktail! I love this prompt, love the word and especially love the painting of the Cardinals Eavesdropping in the Vatican like a group of busybodies: this brought a smile to my face, even if my response to the prompt was quite an angry one.
kim881 said:
A autumn fruity mocktail coming up, Ingrid! I wanted to find an image with Henry VIII in it, but the Cardinals were the best I could find. I prefer them to Henry and his courtiers, more dangerous and better at subterfuge and eavesdropping .
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revivedwriter said:
The etymology of the word “eavesdropping” is fascinating! Thanks also for sharing all those links.
kim881 said:
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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calmkate said:
Great prompt Kim, nice to have something a bit unusual … I gave it a twist
kim881 said:
Thanks Kate! I love a quadrille with a twist. I’ll be over to read in a bit.
robtkistner said:
Fascinating prompt Kim, thank you! I wanted to find a tender side to eavesdropping. Hope I succeeded. 🙂
kim881 said:
Thank you, Rob. I’m sure you have found a tender side – I’ll be over to read shortly. 🙂
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peterfrankiswrites said:
Great prompt Kim – I was just watching The Conversation the other day – and it still chills. Looking forward to reading later on today
kim881 said:
Hi Peter, and great to see you at the pub. I’ll be over to read as soon as I’ve caught up with replying to comments.
Mother Wintermoon said:
Wonderful prompt! I enjoyed reading about the etymology of the word. Thanks for hosting, Kim. 🙏
Grace said:
Thanks for joining us !
kim881 said:
I’m delighted you enjoyed the prompt and look forward to reading your quadrille!
kim881 said:
Finding an unusual word with an interesting etymology is a bonus when creating a quadrille prompt. Sometimes it’s a labour of love and other times they just drop in your lap – like this one!
Mother Wintermoon said:
Eavesdropping was a really good one! Like writing…sometimes it flows out easily and sometimes you have to work for it.
Mother Wintermoon said:
Love the painting too!
Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing said:
How funny Kim! I used the word eavesdropping last week when we were doing the “verbing” challenge. ☺️ I’m sure I can muster up another one, Lol
Grace said:
Of course, you can, smiles. Feel free to share more than 1 quadrille poem!
Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing said:
Thanks Grace ☺️
kim881 said:
Please do, Christine, I look forward to reading it!
kanzensakura said:
Hello everyone. I have been absent for many months but am now in return mode. I actually wrote this poem just last week and since it had “eavesdropping” in it, I took it as a sign to return.
Grace said:
Toni, thanks for joining us. Hope all is well at your end !
kim881 said:
Toni, you’re back! So lovely to have you at the pub again! I’m not long up and will be over to read shortly.
kim881 said:
I’m so glad the prompt caught your eye, Toni,, and tempted you back to us!
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Truedessa said:
Interesting word to ponder. It seem everyone is eavesdropping these days on our thoughts, but are they grasping the true meaning of our words.
Grace said:
I agree Truedessa. Thanks for joining in.
kim881 said:
That is very true, Truedessa. But when we want them to listen they ignore us.
-Eugenia said:
Exciting prompt and interesting back story! Thank you for hosting, Kim.
kim881 said:
Thank you for joining us, Eugenia!
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Ali Grimshaw said:
Kim,
This is a great word and really enjoyed your reflections on its meanings. I always wondered where it came from.
Here on the West Coast, we have wildfires, smokey air, and high winds. If anyone else has some rain to spare please send it our way.
Stay safe everyone
kim881 said:
I was enjoying our spate of rain, Ali, and so were my slow-developing sunflowers, and now the weather forecast is for an Indian summer, maybe they will finally blossom. They are a bit small, all three of them, but they are my plant children. 🙂
Ron. said:
Sssssssshhhhhhhhhh…
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pvcann said:
In our circles eavesdropping is still used and I did enjoy the challenge of this, thank you Kim for hosting this.
kim881 said:
Thanks for joining us, Paul. I’m back to reading and commenting shortly, before today’s prompt goes up. I look forward to reading yours.
pvcann said:
Thank you Kim
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whimsygizmo said:
Late to the party. {But I brought chips.} 😉
kim881 said:
Not late, De, you kept something back for me to enjoy later on in the week. I look forward to reading it this morning. 🙂
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