In view of the fact that words are the overt expression of relevant thought, it may be of interest to consider certain unorthodox selections from our lexicon that have varied or changed in recent employment, or have become virtually extinct. Such phenomena, conceivably, are indicators of the ongoing empirical of change in their societal context. We have randomly selected some illustrative words, perceived as representative of such contextual changes. Our generalized (metaphysical) presumption is that such changes may be related to the Initially,insalubrious trend to digitally impersonal means of communication. “
SINCERE:
Initially, we cannot resist the temptation to refer to our favorite word, notably, more honored in its conceptual merit than its ubiquity, viz., “sincere.” The beneficial word is derived from the two Latin words “sine,” meaning without, and “cere,” meaning wax. The authentically skilled Roman cabinet makers constructed their furniture so skillfully that its constituent parts fit, or “dovetailed,” permanently. The pretenders required an adhesive glue (“wax”) to hold their less skillfully constructed furniture intact. “Sincere” came to mean, in our lexicon, “legitimate” or “honest, an adjective not quite universally applicable in these materialistically-oriented days. We would welcome any increase in the ubiquitous practice represented by this societally salubrious word.
NICE, DECENT:
These two admirable adjectives seem to have entered the lexicographic state of extinction, except for their bizarrely disagreeable use as a relevant sarcastic comment regarding an unkind action. The two adjectives, in fact, metaphysically describe fundamentally positive intentions, judgmental kindness, and perhaps empathy, and societally acceptable actions or thoughts. In our view, these words symbolize the systemic essence of good character, but are seldom spoken for fear of appearing unsophisticated or jejune; in fact, the dynamics of the underlying qualities are essential to societal success and interactive acceptability.
“WHATEVER” :
The current (mis)use of this word is personally infuriating. Its intended context connotes the granting of unlimited choice by a generous member of society to an inquisitive request of another. It is a warm expression of generosity and friendship. Notwithstanding the intended use of this expression of friendship and generosity, the word has universally been employed as a harsh, reactive expression of impatient dismissal. This travesty of syntax may, conceivably. be another consequence of the extant impersonality of a digitalized, insensitive. society’
“AWESOME,””ABSOLUTELY”
These two consummate adjectives as often thoughtlessly employed, achieve the level of verbal overkill.” Majestic words, such as”awesome,” are expressions reflecting a daunting, impressive, inspiring reaction to a stimulus, external or conceptual. such as Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Mount Vesuvius, The Mona Lisa, The Northern Lights, and a Lunar Eclipse. The appropriate use of the word “absolutely” is reserved for momentous decisions or confident expression of scientific or dogmatic beliefs. Its contemporary use as a reply to an inquiry as to the quality of pizza, or, perhaps, whether a trip to the park would be agreeable, are tawdry examples of word overkill and empirically inappropriate.
“SO”:
This simple word is properly utilized as a consequential link between causation and relevant effect. By illustration: “it was cold, outdoors, so we wore overcoats; he never showed up, “so” we proceeded without him; he was not feeling well, “so” he went to the doctor; the jury found him not guilty, “so” he was freed..
We are mystified as to the ubiquitous use of this relationally conclusive word as the first word in a response to a question, most commonly occurring in the news media. It seems to have replaced the former hesitating and meaningless word, “well,” preceding a speaker’s response to questions.
“COOL”:
The word “cool”, bizarrely and ubiquitously employed to express enthusiastic assent, would appear to be the temporal offspring of the similarly inarticulate, but apparently outdated, “groovy”. It is, like the word “hot,” used to describe a physically appealing person, misused and atrophied; as opposed to its utility as an instructional demarcation on water faucets..It is also an emotional, albeit entirely non-specific, approbation of a suggested action, a general signification of mutual agreement, or, perhaps, a declared assurance of personal equanimity and personal composure.
The above list of misapplied vocabulary, while illustrative, is by no means complete. The few selected examples have been chosen to illustrate such thematic impediment (of the ersatz use of vocabulary)_to meaningful, intended communication.
Should the present thematic impediment require an assurance of material importance, one might consider the contemporary dearth of natural. communicative conversation, the virtual extinction of written personal correspondence, together with the ubiquitous preference for facile and populist diversions, like electronic games and cheap television entertainment, instead of thoughtful conversation, written personal correspondence, and contemplative reading. When the modern individual (rarely) does choose to communicate interactively, the apt use of accurate and meaningful language becomes vitally essential.
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