Annually they (the Word Committee??) come out with the list of words being eliminated from Websters and those which will henceforth be included. Were you aware of this annual process? Must admit I did not until three years ago when I was driving around town taking care of some errands and happened to catch a news bite on the car radio. You should have heard me responding -- yes, out loud directing my opinion looking straight at the dials as if those plastic gadgets were representatives of the esteemed selection board-- to the vernacular that had been selected to enter this esteemed tome. Most sounded like slang and street talk straight out of a Will Smith movie.
Who are these people anyway?? All I can tell you is that I have NO idea but I am nominating author John Jakes as a member. Have you read any of his books? The Civil War trilogy which begins with NORTH and SOUTH is fabulous.. When I finished the last book, HEAVEN and HELL, I felt bereft from the void created by the departure of the characters from my life. I missed them and I wanted a fourth book ...and a fifth! (True sign of a great book (s). Right?)And all the while I was ensconced in his rich story line, I have found myself being st-ret-ch-ed with his skilled syntax. How fantastic is that??
Charleston, published in 2002, is my current read. Within the first two chapters I found myself reaching for my dictionery in order to make sure I was either A: understanding a word concluded from its usage or from the surrounding words/action in that sentence or B: acknowledging that I had NO CLUE whatsoever thus I needed to do my due diligence in research and check to see if my stab in the dark was anywhere close to the truth. Words like "scrofulous" and "puncheons" and "embrasure". Aren't those wonderful?? Absolutely fascinating.
Go ahead. Look those up. I'm not going to provide the answers for you. Be curious. Be challenged like I was. (Ok, ok. I figured out what the second was from its sentance use and the third you can guess at....but the first??? No way.) Language should be beautiful. We all need to hone the craft of molding our personal verbal and written speech with specific descriptive, emotional, and intelligent strokes of purpose and definition. Here's one for you -- expurgate. Try saying that fast ten times then check out that little nine letter word. Use that in a sentance today. Watch people's eyebrows draw together with a look of puzzlement as they ponder that one!!!
And, one more detail....I love my Websters Deluxe College Edition Dictionery. Revised in 1972. Can't get me to accept a newer version. Others have tried to persuade. Even demand. But no sirree bob. I will keep my black duct taped navy faux leather bound volume, thank you very much. Don't even waste your time trying 'cause this is my edition I'm stickin' to it.
