#AtoZChallenge: D is for DRACONIAN

53 Comments#AtoZChallenge 2015, Language, Writing/Blogging
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#AtoZChallenge Day 4: D is for DRACONIAN
Day 4, April 4

dra·co·ni·an

drəˈkōnēən

adjective 

excessively harsh and severe

synonyms: strict, extreme, drastic, stringent, tough; cruel, oppressive,
ruthless, relentless, punitive; authoritarian, despotic, tyrannical, 

Even though they’re not related, whenever I hear this word,
images of fire-breathing dragons float through my mind.
(Not so much of stretch, since “Draco” is Latin for Dragon)

Draconian dragon, breathing fire
pixabay.com

 Do you suppose this is where the term “Dragon Lady” comes from?
A stern, unrelenting, humourless, draconian woman?
[Read about the actual origin of “Dragon Lady” HERE.]

#AtoZChallenge, Day 4: D is for DRACONIAN
quickmeme.com 

I knew one such person; the principal of the boarding school I attended in ninth grade. Here’s a thought: Why are there no “Dragon Men”? Why do women always have to be the BITCHES?

In any case, those who attempt to inflict their draconian edicts on me are going to get an argument – every time! Just ask my mother; rebel then, rebel still. 😉

FUN FACT:
“DRACONIAN” is Greek in origin and derives from “Draco”,
who was the first legislator of Athens in the 7th century BC.
He  laid down a code of laws that mandated death as punishment for minor crimes.

How do you react to draconian stipulations?
Looking forward to your comments!

Debbie

AtoZChallenge 2015
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53 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: D is for DRACONIAN

  1. I always think of dragons too 🙂 Like you I do not react well to draconian methods – I can be as stubborn as a mule and my first instinct is to resist.

  2. Well, there’s the programme Dragon’s Den with a lineup of male businesswomen and one token woman. It kind of denotes power and success in that contest though.

    I thought it was to do with dragon, so interesting to hear about this Draco. I wouldn’t have liked to be around when he was lawmaker!

    1. Oh, right – forgot about that! At least they do have one woman. LOL Draco was a real hard-ass alright. Thanks for dropping in. 🙂

  3. That’s an fun one! I have two images in my for the Dragon Lady and some one who is Draconian..The Draconian one is the one with blood sucking tooth popping from the sides of mouth and yes the Dragon Lady is from GoT..isn’t she? 🙂

    1. Your Draconian one sounds a lot like Dracula, the Vampire. 🙂 GoT? Game of Thrones? Somebody else mentioned that, but I’ve never seen it. Must do a Google check.

  4. I too think of dragons whenever I hear or read this word: how can you not? 🙂 I rebel when faced with draconian methods. Oh, but then I am a bit of a rebel to begin with! 😉 <3

  5. Dragons take such a bad rap because of our European heritage. The Asian dragon is wise and benevolent, yet not to be underrated in the retaliation department if you transgress. I prefer the Asian dragon.

    1. Benevolence is a good quality for a dragon, but yes, not the first one that comes to mind. 🙂 The Asian origins for Dragon Lady are also along those same lines. Only later on, did this moniker take on a harsher meaning.

  6. Oh, I’m a rebel all the way. I *hate* strictures and imposed rules and conventions… But I won’t argue. It’s wasted breath, mostly. I’ll just do it my way, and people can deal with that however they please 😀

    Love you, fellow rebel!
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

    1. Wasted breath or not, Guilie, I just have to make my feelings known, in no uncertain terms! LOL Then of course, I do exactly as I please, anyway. 😀 Love you too, amiga!

  7. Such an informative and entertaining post, Debbie. Never knew all the origins of the word Draconian. Thanks for enlightening us, Dragon Lad…ER I mean Cool Rockin Hippy Lady!

    1. Feel free to call me Dragon Lady, if you want, Cathy. 😀 I’ll flaunt that with pride, the same way I do the “Bitch” moniker! 😉 Don’t ruffle my feathers and we’ll get along just fine! * Evil laugh *

  8. You ask, ‘Why are there no “Dragon Men”? ‘ If there were, it would be a comment on power and success. Harumph!

    1. Me too, Corinne! Good thing we’re friends, yes? 😀 This is a word I do use fairly often. I think the origins were surprising to most of us.

  9. I just want you to know, I own a Dragon Lady. And she be very bad. Nine pounds of sheer thunder ready to kick butt. Thank God, the pitbull is the boss. Her laissez faire attitude balances the household.

    I know what you mean about men not getting the tag. However, Ima bitch and don’t care. I’ve discovered men either love us or hate us and the haters are losers. lol

    1. Is Dragon Lady a Jack Russell by any chance? Or perhaps a Chihuahua or a Yorkie? 😀 Little dogs with big personalities are such fun! Figures the Pitbull is the calm one! Ima bitch too and proud of it. Take me or leave me, honey. 😉 I think we could get along very well, Ann!

  10. Nice one Debbie. When I first saw the header I was thinking SciFi and Game of Thrones! LOL Made me definitely think of dragons! Keep up the good work!

  11. I have come across this word and understood the general meaning. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. From one rebel to another, I am loving it 😀

  12. I always think of dragons too 🙂 Like you I do not react well to draconian methods – I can be as stubborn as a mule and my first instinct is to resist.
    Tasha
    Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    1. Yes; I hear that! Living under that principal’s rule was incredibly chafing. My mother was also quite draconian and we were constantly at odds.

  13. I totally imagine a fire-spewing dragon with this word too. Love how it looks too (I’m synesthetic so see letters in color).

  14. Good word! I always think of a bat when I hear that word. It’s very dark for sure. Lol on DragonLady. Yep, we women are often cast in a not so flattering light. Pity, that. You certainly won’t find me hanging with any draconian folks. Not my style. The Rod Stewart song is my style though. 🙂

    1. LOL Bat as in “Old Bat” aka “Dragon Lady”? 😉 Authority figures aren’t my kind of people either. That was one of Rod’s lesser known songs. Good album! 🙂

  15. Count me as another one who thought Draco was related to dragon. Isn’t there a constellation named Draco that is a dragon? That’s misleading. Anyhoo…

    Thanks for sharing, and good luck with the rest of the challenge!

    Hi from Nagzilla, bloghopping from A to Z.

    1. There is a bit of confusion there, Nagzilla (cool name! 🙂 ) . “Draco” is Latin for Dragon, but “draconian” was named after that harsh Greek law maker.

  16. Wow! I never would have thought draconian meant anything not connected to dragons and never would have guessed it originally referred to a Greek senator. Fascinating post, Debbie! Well done!

  17. I’m learning a lot from you teach! 🙂 I once had a draconian friend. I used to call her bossy, but draconian describes her better. She was sugar sweet when I did everything she wanted me to do… but look out if I didn’t. When I was young and naive I kept my thoughts to myself. We reconnected as adults, and it didn’t last a month. I told her to take a walk off a short plank.