“Favourite Words” is my theme. (Not all of them – keeping it mild 😉 )
Click HERE to view entire category.
Please support our efforts by visiting, sharing and commenting.
We have all worked long and hard on this project.
Click on the banner below to see who’s participating.
Have fun and thanks for reading! ♥
dra·co·ni·an
drəˈkōnēən
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)
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.]
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!
MORE FROM THE BLOG:
LATEST FROM INSTAGRAM:
Follow THE DOGLADY’S DEN on WordPress.com
Discover more from The Doglady's Den
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
53 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: D is for DRACONIAN”
Oh, I’ve known a few Dragon ladies!! And men!!
Me too, Fab! 🙂 I can also be a “Dragon Lady”, at times. 😉
Best not to cross your path then with draconian rules then eh? Good thing I am easy-going 😀
Yes, rules make me chafe, Shailaja, especially ones that are silly or arbitrary. 😀
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.
Mine too, Sneha 🙂 Draconian methods are offensive to most of us. Thanks for visiting.
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!
Oh, right – forgot about that! At least they do have one woman. LOL Draco was a real hard-ass alright. Thanks for dropping in. 🙂
hahaha… the picture reminds me of my Hostel Matron. So strict!! and she used to wear specs like that 😀
My school principal was the same. Very scary Dragon Lady! 😀
It reminds me of my high school head mistress! Whenever she used to come for visits, we used to shiver!
Very similar to the one I had as well. 🙂 Deadly aim with those disapproving eyes!
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? 🙂
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.
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
Nice to see all the rebels out today. 🙂 We are a formidable group, aren’t we? 😀
LOL… I totally relate to you on the whole “rebel then, rebel still” thing!
Another rebel heard from! We should start our own club. 🙂
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.
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.
Interesting post and learnt a few things too 🙂
Glad to be of service, Shilpa. 🙂 Thanks for visiting and have a great week.
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
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!
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!
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 *
You ask, ‘Why are there no “Dragon Men”? ‘ If there were, it would be a comment on power and success. Harumph!
Oh so true! 😛 Welcome to The Den, Nancy. Thanks for visiting and hope to see you again. 🙂
I’m smiling thinking of the time you used the word on me, Debbie! 😉 Didn’t know of the root word. Interesting!
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.
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
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!
Debbie, loved it – that was a fun post. I too think of dragons when I hear the word. Thanks for sharing the background.
Glad you liked it, Monica. 🙂 I think most of us do think of dragons.
Draco and dragon does sound similar. Informative this is, Debbie.
Glad you enjoyed it, Vinitha. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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!
Hi Bren; Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for visiting and have a great week. 🙂
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 😀
Nice to see a fellow rebel! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for visiting.
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)
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.
I totally imagine a fire-spewing dragon with this word too. Love how it looks too (I’m synesthetic so see letters in color).
How fascinating to see letters in colour! Sounds kind of “trippy”. 🙂 I think the dragon connection resonates with many people.
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. 🙂
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! 🙂
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.
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.
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!
That was a surprise to me too, Jess. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post.
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.
It would be difficult enduring such a friendship, Angelika. True friends don’t bully you, unless it’s for your own good.