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July 29, 2005
new english
"Smart" people aren't as intelligent as one might think. At least they don't always come off as smart. One of my major pet peeves is the creation of words in a way that defies the word's original definition. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all about making up words. But words can be created such that the word and its definition are paradoxical. Here are a couple of my favorite examples:
Word: exotify
Intended definition: to make exotic
Here's the thing. You can't make something exotic. Something that is exotic is generally known to be mysterious, non-native, or unusual. Something cannot be made mysterious, non-native, or unusual. It's a paradox. To manufacture exoticism is entirely contradictory to the essence of the word.
Word: conversate
Intended definition: to discuss with someone, or converse
For this one, the real word was right there. It was right there. Just take away a few unnecessary phonemes and you've got it. I guess "conversate" must have sounded more formal or sophisticated. Wrong. It sounds dumb. Cause it ain't a word.
As I said, I'm all about making up words. Word creation is an art best done to illustrate vividly the intent or extremity of a situation. This shit just sounds dumb. Now, a great deal of intelligence does not relate to one's ability to communicate that intelligence. Still, making up this kind of word really gives the illusion of being clueless.
Posted by ben at July 29, 2005 3:09 PM
Comments
Check out this from Merriam-Webster's Dictionary: http://www.m-w.com/info/favorite.htm. There is a list of Top Ten Favorite Words (Not in the Dictionary). A word you use, Harp, is Number 1.
Posted by: Drew at July 30, 2005 12:36 PM
And a great word it is.
Posted by: ben at July 30, 2005 2:11 PM
Don't you think you are being a little hypocrtical about people making up words? Your sentence "Cause it ain't a word." is just as bad. I mean how intelligent does that sound? These are the days where everything is changing and the English language has been changing practically since it has been around. People have been creating new words for a long time so eventually you might want to get over it and stop bitching. It is sort of dumb, I mean why do you care how many new words are submitted to the dictionary?
Posted by: Shy at November 28, 2007 10:16 AM