bear (n) large heavy mammal with long shaggy hair, rudimentary tail and plantigrade feet.

bear (n) something difficult to do.

bear (v) hold the weight of.

bear (v) endure a difficulty.

bear (v) give birth to or yield.

Today’s Word Well has brought up a very little word with an incredible number of meanings. Only a few have been highlighted above.  This is one of those tidbits that may continue to pop up in your brain long after you’ve finished reading.  The more you think ‘bear’, the more meanings and uses you may discover. You’ve heard of an earworm?  This may become a word worm.

In the Northwest, spring is the time the black bears begin to wake up. The frequency of sightings is noted by the increased number of panicked social media posts, warning to gather children and pets indoors.  It is wise to be precautionary of these magnificent creatures, but in all honesty, they would prefer not to have human interaction.  As they lumber across a trail or through a neighborhood, we’re often more of a nuisance to them.  I imagine them saying, “Oh bother”, while they forage for berries, roots, fish or honeycomb and an easy-access trash can. The shout of Bear! would definitely spike the adrenaline in anyone. Distance is the best practice to living alongside these local residents.

The word bear has it origin first from the Germanic, bero, meaning the brown one; Old English, beran, references to carry, bring forth, give birth to, endure without resistance; to hold up, to support, sustain. To me, bear is a symbol of strength regardless of the part of speech it is playing.  Think of it – a bear is strong; to bear a burden requires strength; to bear offspring, well that just goes without saying – females are strong regardless of the species!  

Is it wrong that when I hear the word bear, I instantly think of our beautiful, Northwest hulking creatures? Then, almost instantly, my brain switches to claws – bear claws!  Not the non-retractable huge feet of the carnivore, but the wonderful sweet almond pastry.  How can you go wrong, cuddly large animals and delicious yeasty, buttery baked goods? It’s going to be a bear-y good day!