Hapless

[randy_byers]

So I was thinking the other day that I'm hapless when it comes to certain things, and then I got to thinking about what "hapless" means. OED says it's a lack of "hap" or good luck. But for me "hapless" has a connotation of "helpless" as well. To be hapless is to be incapable. So there's an undercurrent of meaning here: "The only way I can be successful is if I'm lucky, and I'm not lucky." In other words, I can't make this happen, so I need hap. It's a passive trait. "Get happy" is a contradiction in terms.

Comments

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

You need to read China Mieville's Embassytown - it has a coinage "floaking" which i think may fit you to a tee..

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Groan. Is it another thousand page doorstop?

!

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

No I read it in a day - admittedly a v long day!

Re: !

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm going to have a few days to read next week, so maybe I'll check U Bookstore to see if they have it.

[janetl.livejournal.com]

Mustn't look for logic in English. There ain't none.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Sure, but resonances there are aplenty. Happiness happens!