Bon Mots

Mary & I – having brunch in DC (July, 2014)

I recently received a text from my mom which read, “I really liked her when we met. I knew she’d be so convivial about Natalie.” Mom was referring to my long-time friend, Mary, who recently moved to Washington, DC and who we had a lovely brunch with when mom and I visited my daughter (in DC this summer for an internship). Due to a rather complex set of circumstances, my daughter finds herself in need of a place to stay for a night. And she’s going to stay that night with Mary. Back to convivial. After texting the word, my mom wondered if she’d used it correctly. I believed she did, thinking it had to do with being pleasant and jovial. Merriam Webster tells us it means, “relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company.” If we consider only that last bit, “and good company”, I think my mom was right. And frankly, most of my visits with Mary have centered around good food and good company, so convivial is a very good word for her. Do you know where convivial comes from?  According to etymology online it’s from the Latin (1660’s), “pertaining to a feast.” or “to carouse together.” Now there’s another good word…carouse. What do you think? Did mom use convivial correctly? Have you used the word? I’d love to hear about it.