Words STILL Carry Meaning...
How many times can you recall having heard the late George Carlin talk about words?
He would have his comedic rants about people getting ON the plane, while he (much) preferred getting INTO the plane ("There's not a damn thing to hang onto ON the plane anyway"), or how we've taken certain phrases and twisted meanings around JUST to be politically-correct and "not offend" anyone.
He knew the meaning of words, and the power thereof.
And he was not afraid to show us the foibles of their misuse.
Like those who find themselves "visually-challenged" (they're just BLIND), or "acoustically-impaired" (they're just DEAF), or even "financially-disenfranchised" (they're just freaking BROKE)...it all comes down to WORDS.
Today's world is replete with ALL kinds of words and phrases designed to better "attune" ourselves to the specificities of our humanity...and while some do capture (in essence) a better understanding of what is defined, many more fall way short, and actually help to distance ourselves from our very own language.
People will tend to say ONE thing, while meaning something completely contrary.
We used to call that speaking out of BOTH sides of one's mouth at the same time.
But that was in the "bad old days"...when people really DID a lot more of saying what they meant, and hearing someone who did not was more obvious than you could imagine.
Now, I certainly don't pretend to be a purveyor of linguistics, nor do I claim to have studied etymology in ANY long-term format...
I leave THAT job to the professionals...that's what we pay them for, anyway.
I don't know HOW many times I go to Mrs. Bobby G., and ask her something, just to see if I was correct in my assumption, or to get a better idea of what I was TRYING to say...yeah, I'm not that proud that I can't ask for help when needed.
If you've ever read anything by John McWhorter, you know exactly what I mean.
And if you haven't...what's taking you so long, eh?
Words convey a multitude of feelings...from anger to sorrow; from ecstatic joy to utter depression or grief...and everything in between.
Words will allow us to "get our point across", or define a particular person, place or thing.
What all these may words lack in size, they make up for in POWER.
Think of yourself as a pistol...and I know they used to call people that in years past ("He's a real pistol, isn't he?"), and all those words are the bullets carried in that magazine.
When needed, you shoot one (or more) out...
And, JUST like a bullet, whatever word shoots forth from your mouth (muzzle), it CANNOT BE CALLED BACK.
Now, if you're a decent marksman, you hit what you're aiming at...the same can be said for words.
Words can be used to console...or to maim...it's YOUR choice.
Words can also be used to confuse or obfuscate.
And some people are pretty damn good at doing THAT (trust me - all you have to do is watch much of the news).
Other people use words to present facts and the truth (which can still be quite liberating).
Thomas Sowell has had a fantastic multi-part column that refers to words and their meanings.
This series began on 14 September,. and Part III came out today.
The columns he wrote can be found HERE:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell1.asp
I know what you're thinking...The JEWISH WORLD REVIEW????
(OY...!)
Hey, you turn over EVERY rock when trying to uncover truth...that's the way it's done.
Leave NO stone unturned...THAT'S how we learn.
Besides, the last time I checked, the Jewish people were still our FRIENDS!
His columns are entitled: THE MONEY OF FOOLS, and I guarantee you will come away with a better appreciation for what you read and hear.
He borrows the title of this series from 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes who said:
"Words are wise men's counter, but they are the money of fools"
Yes, Virginia...Words still carry meaning.
But, it's up to US to figure out WHAT that meaning truly is, and Dr. Sowell (yes, he has a PhD, as well as an A.B. and A.M.) demonstrates brilliantly the nuances being thrust upon us, that we are supposed to take at "face-value", when indeed, they meaning something else.
For example, you'll find out what is REALLY meant by phrases such as :
--Rent Control
--Gun Control
--Stimulus
--Social Justice
And that's just the tip of the iceberg...all YOU have to do is look further.
Here's a thought...
How many times did your parents remind you to "THINK before you SPEAK"?
And how many times have you found yourself in conversation or debate with someone who loved to engage their mouth before they put their brain in gear?
(we called that mentally popping the clutch...and that can lead to a abrupt STALL a lot of the time)
I like to equate it to verbally having a gunfight with an unarmed person...
You just KNOW you're going to win...even if you just THROW the "gun" at them.
Other people you just CANNOT talk to in any way, because they have this preconceived notion that YOU are the "bad guy".
Hell, I find that around MY ghettohood every day, and that's why you won't find me hob-nobbing with the locals...
I choose to be informed...they do not.
I choose to be knowledgeable...they do not.
As an example...if I'm talking outside with the missus and I mention that we have a crack on an interior wall in our house, someone else in the area will ONLY hear CRACK...and HOUSE, and the next thing you know, we could have a line from our front door around the damn block...LOL.
That's the LAST thing I need, believe me.
I have learned over the years, that one has to weigh one's words CAREFULLY, lest they be misinterpreted.
And we've got way too many people out there that LOVE to misinterpret...due to that "selective hearing" thing they've got going on.
Personally, I do believe it does come down to education...or to be more precise...educating OURSELVES.
Schools can only give us the proper TOOLS to utilize, but it's up to US to know WTF to DO with those tools, once we got them in our hot little hands.
I mean, when was the last time you tried to drive a NAIL...with a CIRCULAR SAW?
It's all about the RIGHT tool for the RIGHT job.
And it's about keeping your own "toolbox" somewhat organized, when it comes to words and their usage.
I'm one of those people that firmly believes that words are wonderful descriptors.
Ever hear the story about the BLIND (visually-impaired) MEN and the ELEPHANT (formerly-endangered pachyderm)?
They tried to describe what they "felt", and it is a rather amusing tale.
What we should require of ourselves, is that we never become SO "blind" so as not to properly convey our thoughts and feelings.
We should strive to know our language...know the words we speak, and know the power OF those words.
Rush Limbaugh once said that "People will judge you by the way you speak".
Now, that's not to say that a police officer, swearing like a dockworker in a taproom (bar) with his friends after his shift is a Neanderthal.
Quite the reverse is usually true.
And when they're on the job, they literally drip professionalism, as well they should, unless a situation demands otherwise.
In every instance, the officer HAS to maintain control of the situation, lest it escalate into something "not so good".
Words are his/her first line of control...and they will TELL you as much.
You mouth off to THEM, and it's a whole other ballgame...and you have no one to "thank" but yourself.
What you have to remember is that when it comes to words and usage, all men are NOT "created equal", and you might have to modify YOUR stance to suit the venue.
And, after a time, YOU get the hang of it.
Doesn't matter if you're dealing with drunk on the street, an unruly student in a classroom, or a child that hates cauliflower.
The WORDS you use and the manner in which you present them will set the tone for compliance.
Every LEO knows that, every EDUCATOR knows that, and every PARENT knows that.
So take some time today, and bop on over to read Thomas Sowell's articles.
You'll most likely find yourself nodding in agreement. I know I certainly did.
Choose your words, think before you speak, and always say what you mean.
You can't go wrong applying such "rules" to yourself.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.