Word (phrase): 'stirring up'

Associations

"Stirring up" means to create or provoke something, often feelings, actions, or responses. It can be used in various contexts, often relating to emotions or events.

• Example 1: "The speech stirred up strong emotions in the audience." (Here, it means the speech caused the audience to feel intense emotions.)
• Example 2: "The news report stirred up a lot of discussion online." (In this case, it means the news made people talk and share their opinions.)
• Example 3: "She is stirring up trouble among her friends." (This indicates that she is causing issues or conflict within the group.)

A well-known synonym is "provoking." The main difference is that "provoking" often has a negative connotation, while "stirring up" can be neutral or positive as well.

Substitution

Instead of "stirring up," you could use:

• "causing" – This is more neutral and general, focusing on the action rather than the emotional result.
• "instigating" – This has a stronger negative connotation than "stirring up," often implying intention to cause trouble.
• "igniting" – This suggests starting something with energy, often used in a positive sense, like igniting enthusiasm.

Deconstruction

"Stirring up" can be deconstructed into two parts:

• "Stirring" comes from the verb "stir," which means to mix or move something around. It can also mean to incite or provoke feelings.
• "Up" adds a sense of direction or intensity, emphasizing that something is being brought forth or intensified.

Historically, the word "stir" has origins in Old English "styran," meaning to move or disturb. This sense of motion contributes to the meaning of causing changes in feelings or actions.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone stirred up emotions in you? What was the situation?
• In what contexts do you think "stirring up" can have a positive effect, versus a negative one?
• How would you feel if someone stirred up conflict among your friends? What actions would you take?