afoot

This is rather a fun word, I've always thought, indicative of unseen activity that is frequently of a sinister nature. The image the word conveys to me is that of a softened step behind closed doors; "a foot" is all that is perceived, some scant evidence that suggests much more. The singularity of the foot image contributes to the sense of concealment; where one foot is, surely more must be present. Additionally, the initial "a" gives the word a feeling of activity, perhaps because of other verbs it finds itself amplifying: "a-changing," "a-moving," etc. It also imparts a sense of direction, as a boat travels astern, or wind alee. The presumed machinations, then, are endowed with both action and purpose. I admit, with only a slight twinge of shame, that the most likely reason for my fondness for the word is its mention in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, in which the first sign of strange goings-on in a convenience store parking lot prompts the utterance: "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K."

Last week's theme: Last week's weekday words were all Scottish in origin or modern-day use, with the possible exception of "serene," a flaw for which I apologize. "Pet" and "glen" both developed through Scottish Gaelic, while both "haver" and "outwith" are exclusively Scottish still.

But, moving on: "afoot" is the first word for this week's theme. This theme, I promise, will hold true for all five words this week and will be revealed next Monday. Once again, feel free to make a guess, educated or otherwise.