Earlier this yr, the Merriam-Webster web site, which, together with its paper-and-ink model, is infamous for its laissez-faire method to phrase utilization, expressed an intriguing argument in one in all its Utilization Notes: Relax about preserving the “authentic” that means of phrases.
If one had been to insist that phrases be used solely of their preliminary sense, one would discourage me from writing “Relax,” as a result of I’m not alluding to temperature, and the literal that means of the verb chill just isn’t “relax,” however “make colder.” That’s the purpose of the submit, which argues that, for instance, worsen shouldn’t be required to use solely to creating one thing worse—it’s fantastic to make use of it when describing mere irritation. The argument goes that if the restriction is to be taken to its logical conclusion, worsen ought to imply solely “overwhelm,” as a result of that’s its authentic sense. (The grav in worsen, you see, is similar because the grav in gravity.)
By the identical token, the lackluster utterance of “Superior” in response to, properly, just about any pronouncement—no exclamation level is important, as a result of the remark was seemingly nothing like an exclamation—is appropriate. Apparently, the curiosity of some in preserving that time period to explain one thing actually exceptional is invalid; in any case, the unique that means was “inspiring awe,” and to make use of the phrase for one thing merely spectacular demonstrates disloyalty to its etymological origins. (Terrible would even have the identical restriction, as a result of it actually means “filled with awe.”)
I see the purpose, however I additionally really feel that indiscriminate dilution of a phrase’s distinct that means paints writers right into a nook. As soon as superior, indiscriminately mumbled in response to myriad feedback undeserving of such a doubtlessly highly effective reply, is devalued, what’s left to explain one thing that’s, properly, actually superior? On the one hand, this weakening of a phrase challenges the author to search out—and even craft—an acceptable synonym, but it surely may not be lengthy earlier than the alternative is in flip drained of its power.
That’s why I by no means write (or say) anxious once I imply keen; the previous time period patently alludes to nervousness, not anticipation. However I admit inconsistency—utilizing the final phrase within the earlier sentence jogs my memory that anticipation actually means not “the state of wanting ahead to one thing” however, somewhat, “the act of foreseeing.” (Anticipere, the Latin verb from which it’s derived, means “take earlier than.”) However, I attempt to use exact, unambiguous phrases and can proceed to protect distinctions when potential, and I encourage cautious writers to take action as properly.
