somnambulism
noun

- a condition that is characterized by walking while asleep or in a hypnotic trance

- an abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (such as walking) are performed

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

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ORIGIN

1786, “walking in one’s sleep or under hypnosis”, from French somnambulisme, from Modern Latin somnambulus “sleepwalker”, from Latin somnus “sleep” + ambulare “to walk”.

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AWAKE WHILST ASLEEP

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism or noctambulism, is a phenomenon of combined sleep and wakefulness.

It is classified as a sleep disorder belonging to the parasomnia family and occurs during “slow-wave sleep” in a state of low consciousness.

Although their eyes are open, somnambulists usually have little or no memory of sleepwalking.

Activities can involve talking, sitting up in bed, walking to a bathroom, and cleaning,… or as hazardous as cooking, driving, violent gestures, grabbing at hallucinated objects,… and in extremely rare cases, even homicide.

In UK courts-of-law, crimes committed while in a dream are included in the plea of insanity.

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QUOTABLE QUOTE

“Radicals have their feet firmly planted in the air. Conservatives have two perfectly good legs, but never learned to walk forward. Reactionaries are SOMNAMBULISTS walking backwards.”

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, [FDR] (1882-1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-45) noted for his economic plan for recovery after the Great Depression (the New Deal) and for his involvement of the United States in World War II (after the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese in 1941).

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SYNONYMS

sleepwalking, SOMNAMBULISM, somnambulation, noctambulism, noctambulation

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Sleeping on a houseboat is a risky proposition if you’re inclined towards SOMNAMBULISM.”

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THANKS to Florian and Arthur for today’s OWAD.

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HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

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Paul Smith