Random Thoughts About Words

This is pretty strong… but there’s so much more.

“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, ‘I was only joking!’” Proverbs 26:18,19 NKJV

After hearing a dynamic message on the power of words last Sunday, it’s been a subject that’s been on my mind all week. Then I ran across the foregoing passage from Proverbs today.

It served as a reminder of someone, who can dish it out and then usually follows the remark with, “I was only kidding.” Once the knife is inside your gut. It’s usually followed by a hyena like “Kamala cackle.”

Really, it’s good to check your insides first before making sarcastic remarks cloaked in pseudo humor. It’s beyond twisted.

Motives before moving mouth.

We all think we want “freedom” of speech, but there’s plenty in Scripture that addresses something deeper…

“Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.” Proverbs 26:24-26. NKJV.

“… out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Jesus. Luke 6:45b. NKJV No higher authority than that.

On the up side: “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” Proverbs 17:27,28.

You have the right to remain silent. There’s a time and a place for everything. Words. Silence. Sadly because we think we have the right to shoot off our mouth anywhere, anytime, at anybody, in any manner we feel like, without any conscience informed by the Holy Spirit, or the vocal organs given over to His control, great misunderstanding and hurt has been unleashed by little tongues set on fire by hell.

That includes the mouth’s extensions: pens and keyboards and the destinations that receive the words.

Silence truly is golden.

At times it may be the best option.

So I’ll just shut up for now.

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Word Usage Or Word Existence?

That is the question which should be asked in this linked article, which is supposedly about words that “don’t exist”.

https://thelanguagenerds.com/words-that-people-use-which-dont-exist/?fbclid=IwAR2itfmO5HSWmxpwAnM5E_4s-RdrzcYRYR5dBOIFhuDzCWkuHlIH5T0uw1Q

This article is in some cases correct; others not.

Mostly it’s about word usage, not whether a word actually “exists” or not. “Snuck” is an example. Snuck is listed in the online dictionary that I use (It’s an app on my laptop) as an “informal, chiefly North American past and past participle of sneak.” There’s much more, as it links to Wikipedia, dictionary, history of the word.

Does it set my teeth on edge when I hear it? Yes. But that does not mean “snuck” does not exist. Hearing the word “sneaked” also sets my teeth on edge, possibly because I grew up with snuck.

Unfortunately. I know of a news commenter who absolutely has a tantrum if he hears the word “snuck”. (Oh well, get over it.)

The one that drives me nuts is the use of the word “concerning” as it’s come into vogue. Appropriate usage: “I’m writing this letter concerning that which you brought up.” Inappropriate usage: “That trend is very concerning.” Better stated, “There is great concern over that trend.”

Personally, as a word nerd and punster who likes to make up and play with words all the time, it’s OK to have fun with them. Words are the color palette of language.

Word nerds and grammar snobs are not necessarily the same animal, and if they should attempt hybridization, it will probably result in some sort of crazy chimera!

Always remember, the dictionary is your friend. 🤓

Death By Mediocrity

THEY’RE THERE now in THEIR new home. ITS small town charm makes it seem like IT’S a winner, while other choices of residence were THROWN down from the THRONE of their affection. Yet WHO’S going to guess WHOSE choice this summer may be camping IN TENTS, which might be too INTENSE for some? WHERE such a location might be could WEAR out the faint of heart…

What brings on this direction of thought, one might ask? It has to do with the sad state of English grammar in many a conversation thread, blog, and even the writing of “professional” journalists. Where are the editors? Where are the proofreaders? Additionally, if spellcheck exists, should there not be grammar check, as well as word check of such sophistication that it can discern the subtle and proper uses and correct forms of words?

There’s more at stake with this than meets the eye, more than worrying about someone yelling because he or she cannot seem to figure out how to release the caps lock on his or her device, and are therefore regarded as displaying cyber rudeness. Who made that a priority?

But then again, WHAT EVER happened to checking WHATEVER you have written, by making sure that what you WRITE is RIGHT? It still boils down to the human element as to where the buck stops on this. Or will we insist upon giving away our power and commitment to excellence in communication to machines? If that is the case, then our inattentiveness to what’s NOW HERE may lead us further down the path to NOWHERE. We could raise the bar from COMMON TATER to COMMENTATOR.

There are those who will accuse us of being elitist with these remarks about making language great again. Yet if we are going to insist that others speak and write English in our English speaking USA, so as to be cultural contributors, it might be a good idea for those who claim English as their native tongue to actually start speaking and writing it appropriately themselves, with attention to detail. Or is that degree of ATTENTION TO writing TOO much of A TENSION and such a stressor?

It’s not about being elitist; it’s about taking back the culture from the jaws of death by mediocrity, beginning with language, and turning it around from the dumbing down of the last half century (or more) toward something that we can be proud of once again. It requires effort.

It

 

An insignificant thought. Perhaps “it” does not matter.

“It” must be Autumn at last. Do you notice “it” as the leaves begin to change colors and go tumbling to the ground?

Did you ever wonder what “it” is?… “It” is cold. “It” is windy… “It” is raining… “It” is warm today… I don’t get “it”… Tag, you’re “it”…

(Add your own “it” here, dear reader. And ponder “it”.)

This little word we take for granted, yet we use “it” all the time, but what is “it”? What does “it” mean? Will “it” matter if we did not have “it”, even by the time you are finished reading this? Or will “it” be of significance any other time?

Yet the question remains, can we do without “it”?

Dropping By For a Quick One

Oh goody, it’s world emoji day. I was just reminded of this important holiday on social media. How could I be so remiss in my technocratic homage?

I cannot think of celebrating anything more worthwhile than something that’s furthering the cause of symbols as replacements for words, spelling, and even being able to weave them into ideas in the forms of cohesive thought constructs, known as sentences, paragraphs, articles, blogs, chapters… and heaven forbid, poetry and books!

Take the day off, and write happy faces five hundred times on your next post, in celebration of your joy unspeakable for emoji day (no caps, please. too much effort.)

… happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times, happy faces five hundred times …

Well, you get the idea!