The Ramblings of a Grain of Sand; thought # 6

Just me rambling on ...

The Ramblings of a Grain of Sand; thought # 6

I was thinking ... how some dramatic ‘words’ have lost there potency over the years. As writers, an appreciation of selective word structure is paramount, in adding extra dimensional strength to our work. Take the word ‘atrocity’ for instance; it should convey a message of extreme evil or cruelty. However, the desensitisation of such acts through sales of  violent movies, DVD’s and video games, are glamorising barbarisms into pre-eminent levels of a  ‘must do culture’ for impressing or elevating street creed! I was in my local library, when I overheard the word ‘atrocity’ used by a receptionist to her colleague, in the context of describing how badly a manicurist, at her exclusive Nail Bar, had applied nail polish. So what, you might say? But the huge Amnesty poster behind her on the wall highlighting the plights of the innocence in Darfur, threw a whole new perspective on the words she chose to mutter!

 

The next thing you know, that much abused saying, “Winning hearts and minds” will be used in the context of describing a ‘card game’; in which the victor walks away with all the profits and leaves the loser (who never wanted to play in the first place) with absolutely nothing!

 

Just a thought …

 

God’s Blessing

Phillozofee

 

Reviews

[Greg the Bard]

I'm a older guy and in the 60" the word that was used for everything meaning surprise was "Far out" . It was used by everyone that wanted a part of the 60's culture. You are correct that words are our way to get the readers attention. I like this work for many reasons but mostly because it made me think about my work more closely. Thanks

[Nicole (Carpe Diem)]

huh... this is very interesting .... thought inspiring ... fantastic job

[RHEA CROSLEY]

Needed insight into the misuse and degradation of language. Good reminder thanks.

[Emily B]

We abuse most of the good things in life--I had never thought about the importance of the words we degrade. And here I thought the biggest crime we could commit was to overuse the plain, common words. Thanks for getting me thinking.

[The Random Writings Of ..]

Just a thought and truly a good one. One must ponder this for a minute to really capture the reality of it. I enjoyed this little ramble, for the truth in it and also it's a great ramble :)
xoxo

[[untitled]]

HA!!! Good for you Phill, here, here!!! Atrocity was a good example to use as I have heard it said out of context as well. There have been many changes in word usage over the years and 'proper' English is out of date as is handwriting. The thing that bothers me is that writing skills are not taught at a young enough age, I know this is an issue here in Australia...
A very thoughtful piece Phill, glad I stopped by.
Cheers my friend,
Helen :-)

[SM Davis]

you are so right. When serving on the jury for the murder trial, we argued over the words heinous and depraved. FOR THREE DAYS! LOL anyway you are so right. We have become so immune to the potency of words.

[Belinda Rice]

well i really dont know what to say aabout this one people do have there way of using words in different way but we all have a way with the way we speek or words....great to see how you put things together.

[James K. Blaylock]

Indeed, this is true, it all seems like shock value!

jkb

[Fabian G. Franklin]

"If you say it loud enough, it almost seems atrocious...supercalifragilisticexpealidosis" Like supercilious superfluity, is too much really THAT super? What an interesting concept here my friend. I remember when Rhett Butler shocked the cinema world by telling Scarlett O'hara he really didn't give a damn. Now, it seems thay nobody gives a damn anymore so its kind of a moot point. lol

[Valentine]

The older I get the more I find I forget the huge vocabulary I once had..My seizures for 10 years did something to my memory..Why use big words just to prove you are smart when small ones will say the exact same thing..God bless..Valentine