Mel’s Vignettes – A Lesson I Learned Today

When we use the word ‘vignette’ today, we generally refer to a brief dramatic sketch in a play or written text which sheds light on a character or a situation. I have heard this term countless times in my life, and used it many more.

This morning I considered writing a series of vignettes about my life. Little stories that shed light on my past, my thoughts, my history, my personality. I would call it Mel’s Vignettes. Perhaps even ask Ran to make it a category in Ourboox so people could write e-books on particular episodes of their (or others’) lives.

But then I asked myself the question “Where does the word vignette come from?” In the old days, I wouldn’t have bothered. It would have meant searching through an encyclopedia, finding the right volume, leafing through the alphabetical order, and finally finding the right entry. Then, if I wanted to make note of it, I would take pencil and paper and write the definition down. Those were the old days.

But nowadays we have Google and Wikipedia. Within the flash of an electron, I had my answer. Vignette comes from the old French for a small vine.

But that wasn’t all. Vignettes are those small figurative thingies that used to grace the beginning and ending of book chapters. Often incorporating vines and leaves. A prime example is below.

Of course, as with all things graphic, they could evolve into elaborate works of art.

Ah, but I regress. I had wanted to talk about a brief episode that has some significance.

Perhaps I just have.