From Daily Writing Tips–DailyWritingTips.com;

Word of the Day

Obdurate

adjective | AHB-duh-rut

Obdurate is a formal word that means “resistant to persuasion.” It is usually used to describe someone who is stubborn or not willing to change their opinion or the way they do something.

“Even after numerous attempts to negotiate, the obdurate politician remained steadfast in his opposition to the proposed legislation.”

Today’s Writing Tip

“Peace of Mind” and “A Piece of One’s Mind”

Two idioms that sound similar and are often played with for punning effect are “peace of mind” and “give someone a piece of one’s mind.”

Understanding “Peace of Mind”

peace: freedom from anxiety, disturbance (emotional, mental, or spiritual), or inner conflict; calm, tranquillity.

The expression “peace of mind” belongs to a category of phrases that place the feeling of peace within a specific organ or faculty:

  • “peace of heart

  • “peace of soul . . .

  • “peace of conscience”

One might seek peace of mind through prayer or meditation. Self-help books, religions, and various philosophies promise it:

Nine Ways to Find Peace of Mind

The peace of mind Jesus offers is not of this world.

Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind . . . one must submit.

I . . . found great peace of mind in doing what Hinduism exhorts me to do.

The Idiom “Give Someone a Piece of One’s Mind”

Then there’s the expression “give someone a piece of one’s mind.” It means to chide, tell someone off, tell someone how the cow ate the cabbage, tell someone exactly what you think, in no uncertain terms:

When she saw the lipstick stain on his collar, she gave him a piece of her mind.

The third time the wheel fell off, he gave the mechanic a piece of his mind.

Commercial and Punning Uses of the Expressions

As with so many other common expressions, “peace of mind” is often altered for commercial purposes or efforts at punning.

I understand calling an opinion blog Piece of Mind. I suppose Iron Maiden had a reason for calling an album Piece of Mind. And a bookstore called Piece of Mind makes a kind of sense.

But why you’d name a tobacco brand Piece of Mind escapes me. And to call a program for sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease Piece of Mind strikes me as a bit tasteless:

The Piece of Mind program engages individuals in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s through interactive tours and art-making experiences.

Unintended Substitution of “Piece” for “Peace”

Then there is the out-and-out unintended substitution of piece for peace, as in this headline at EzineArticles:

Buying a Personal Safe for Piece of Mind and Security

And in this book review of I, Rhoda Manning, Go Hunting with My Daddy & Other Stories:

Gilchrist’s short stories are indeed therapeutic. They tell real stories about real people searching for love, for happiness, for piece of mind . . . .

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Today’s Quiz

Question 1:

What does the idiom “peace of mind” signify?

a) a state of anxiety and disturbance

b) a state of tranquility, free from emotional, mental, or spiritual disturbance

c) the act of telling someone off

d) finding a piece of one’s own mind

Question 2:

What does the idiom “give someone a piece of one’s mind” mean?

a) provide advice or comfort to someone

b) tell someone exactly what you think, in no uncertain terms

c) share a part of your knowledge or wisdom with someone

d) assist someone in achieving peace of mind

Question 3:

Which of the following sentences correctly uses the idiom “peace of mind”?

a) Once she had finished her taxes, she had peace of mind knowing it was all sorted.

b) After arguing with his teacher, he decided to give her peace of mind.

c) The peace of mind was cut into three pieces and distributed among the students.

d) She sat down with peace of her mind and started painting.

Question 4:

Which of the following sentences correctly uses the idiom “give someone a piece of one’s mind”?

a) I’m sorry for giving you a piece of my mind yesterday; I was just really stressed out.

b) The priest gave me a piece of his mind; now I feel so peaceful and calm.

c) He managed to give a piece of his mind to the puzzle.

d) When I go to the mountains, I can finally give a piece of my mind.

Question 5:

Which of the following sentences appropriately applies one of the idioms from the lesson?

a) Despite his obdurate attitude, the piece of mind she received after discussing the issue was unparalleled.

b) In the face of his obdurate refusal to listen, she found a piece of her mind within her patience.

c) The obdurate student received peace of mind after repeatedly disrupting the class.

d) Her reward for her obdurate resistance to giving in to their demands was a peace of mind she had never experienced before.

The correct answers are as follows:

  1. b) a state of tranquility, free from emotional, mental, or spiritual disturbance

  2. b) tell someone exactly what you think, in no uncertain terms

  3. a) Once she had finished her taxes, she had peace of mind knowing it was all sorted. (“Peace of mind” is used correctly here, as the sentence refers to the tranquility experienced after completing a task.)

  4. a) I’m sorry for giving you a piece of my mind yesterday; I was just really stressed out. (“Giving you a piece of one’s mind” is used correctly here to express the act of telling someone off or expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance.)

  5. d) Her reward for her obdurate resistance to giving in to their demands was a peace of mind she had never experienced before. (This sentence accurately employs the idiom ‘”peace of mind,” signifying a state of inner tranquility that the woman attains from her obdurate [resolute] decision to meditate daily.)